Electrical Area Classification in Coal-Fired Power Plants

Electrical Area Classification in Coal-Fired Power Plants
M e n u
Fo l l o w
Us
Page 1 of 23
search
O fficialPublication of:
Fi n d a l l o f y o u r i n d u s t r y -re l a t e d r e s o u r c e s i n o n e s p o t .Vi s i t t h e PO W ER STO RE

(H TTP://STO RE.PO W ERM AG .CO M /? LIM IT=24)n o w .
H om e (http ://w w w .p ow e r m ag.com ) / Coal (http ://w w w .p ow e r m ag.com /cate gor y/coal /) /
El e c t r i c a l A r e a Cl a s s i f i c a t i o n i n Co a l -Fi r e d Po w e r Pl a n t s
El e c t r i c a l A r e a Cl a s s i f i c a t i o n i n Co a l -Fi r e d Po w e r Pl a n t s
10/07/2013 | Ram K.Saini,P.E.
PRINT M O D E :O N
Save to myPOWER
El e c t r i c p o w e r p r o d u c t i o n f r o m
c o a l i s o n a s t e e p r i s e i n m a jo r d e v e l o p i n g c o u n t r i e s ,i n c l u d i n g Ch i n a ,In d i a ,
In d o n e s i a ,S o u t h A f r i c a ,a n d Vi e t n a m ,a l b e i t d e c l i n i n g i n d e v e l o p e d c o u n t r i e s s u c h a s t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s .
S h o r t f a l l s i n c o a l p r o d u c t i o n h a v e b e e n r e p o r t e d i n s o m e o f t h e s e c o u n t r i e s ,b u t t h e s e i s s u e s a r e b e i n g
a d d r e s s e d b y i n c r e a s i n g c o a l p r o d u c t i o n ,a s w e l l a s b y u s e o f i m p o r t e d c o a l f r o m
o t h e r c o u n t r i e s .Th e m a jo r
c o n c e r n s o f Pu l v e r i ze d Co a l (PC)o r Ci r c u l a t i n g Fl u i d i ze d Be d (CFB)c o m b u s t i o n t y p e c o a l -fi r e d p o w e r p l a n t s

a r e f i r e s a n d e xp l o s i o n s i n h a za r d o u s a r e a s a n d g l o b a l w a r m i n g a n d o t h e r e n v i r o n m e n t a l i s s u e s .Fi r e s a n d
e xp l o s i o n s h a v e c a u s e d a s i g n i f i c a n t n u m b e r o f d e a t h s a n d i n ju r i e s t o p o w e r p l a n t s t a f f .Be s i d e s o t h e r
i g n i t a b l e m a t e r i a l s u s e d i n c o a l -fi r e d p o w e r p l a n t s ,c o a l d u s t h a s b e e n i d e n t i f i e d a s t h e m a jo r s o u r c e o f t h e s e
f i r e s .Fo r c o a l t o r e m a i n a s a v i a b l e f u e l i n p o w e r p r o d u c t i o n i n t h e p o w e r g e n e r a t i o n i n d u s t r y ,p r o t e c t i v e
m e a s u r e s a r e r e qu i r e d d u r i n g e n g i n e e r i n g ,d e s i g n ,c o n s t r u c t i o n a n d o p e r a t i o n o f t h e c o a l -fi r e d p o w e r
p l a n t s ,p a r t i c u l a r l y i n e l e c t r i c a l a r e a s t h a t a r e o f t e n a s o u r c e o f i g n i t i o n .
The Fir e Tr iangl e
http://www.powermag.com/electrical-area-classification-in-coal-fired-power-plants/?prin... 2016-01-26
Page 2 of 23
Th e f i r e t r i a n g l e (Fi g u r e 1 )i s a w e l l -kn o w n t o o l t h a t i l l u s t r a t e s t h e t h r e e c o n d i t i o n s t h a t m u s t b e p r e s e n t f o r
a f i r e o r e xp l o s i o n t o o c c u r a t a p a r t i c u l a r l o c a t i o n :Fl a m m a b l e o r c o m b u s t i b l e m a t e r i a l m u s t b e p r e s e n t ;t h e
m a t e r i a l m u s t b e m i xe d w i t h a i r i n t h e p r o p o r t i o n s a n d c o n c e n t r a t i o n t o f o r m
a c o m b u s t i b l e m i xt u r e ;a n d t h e
i g n i t i o n s o u r c e m u s t s u p p l y e n o u g h e n e r g y t o i n i t i a t e c o m b u s t i o n .A s p a r k o r f l a m e i s n o t n e c e s s a r y ,a s
t e m p e r a t u r e a l o n e c a n s u p p l y t h e e n e r g y t o c a u s e i g n i t i o n o f t h e m i xt u r e .
1.
T h e Fir e T r ian gl e .O xygen,fuel,and sufficentheatm ustbe presentforignition.Source:W ikim edia

Com m ons/Gustavb
Th e e n e r g i e s r e qu i r e d t o i g n i t e v a r i o u s g r o u p s o f c o m b u s t i b l e s u b s t a n c e s h a v e b e e n p r o v e n b y
e xp e r i m e n t a t i o n .Th e c o n c e p t s i n c l u d e d i n t h e f i r e t r i a n g l e h a v e b e e n s p e c i f i e d i n c o d e s a n d s t a n d a r d s
i s s u e d b y v a r i o u s w o r l d o r g a n i za t i o n s p r o v i d i n g g u i d a n c e i n t h e d e s i g n o f e l e c t r i c a l s y s t e m s ,s e l e c t i o n o f
e qu i p m e n t ,a n d c o n s t r u c t i o n a n d o p e r a t i o n o f p o w e r p l a n t f a c i l i t i e s .
H azar d ous Cl assifie d Locations
Th e N a t i o n a l El e c t r i c a l Co d e (N EC)i n U n i t e d S t a t e s a n d In t e r n a t i o n a l El e c t r o t e c h n i c a l Co m m i s s i o n (IEC)i n
o t h e r c o u n t r i e s d e f i n e h a za r d o u s a r e a l o c a t i o n s a s t h o s e a r e a s ,w h e r e f i r e o r e xp l o s i o n h a za r d s m a y e xi s t
d u e t o p r e s e n c e o f c o m b u s t i b l e d u s t o r i g n i t a b l e f i b e r s ,f l a m m a b l e g a s e s o r v a p o r s ,a n d f l a m m a b l e l i qu i d s .
El e c t r i c a l e qu i p m e n t c a n b e c o m e a s o u r c e o f i g n i t i o n i n t h e s e v o l a t i l e a r e a s .
Page 3 of 23
H a za r d o u s a r e a s a r e c l a s s i f i e d b y t y p e s ,d i v i s i o n o r zo n e ,a n d n a t u r e /g r o u p .Th e r e a r e t h r e e t y p e s o f
h a za r d o u s c o n d i t i o n s ,Cl a s s I G a s a n d Va p o r ,Cl a s s II D u s t ,a n d Cl a s s III Fi b e r s a n d Fl y i n g s .H a za r d o u s
a r e a l o c a t i o n s a r e c a t e g o r i ze d b y t w o m e t h o d s p e r N EC:
Cl a s s I,II,a n d III,a n d D i v i s i o n 1 a n d 2 M e t h o d :A r t i c l e 500
Cl a s s 1 ,Zo n e 0,1 a n d 2 M e t h o d :A r t i c l e 505 a n d IEC/EN 6007 9-1 0.
Th e c l a s s a n d d i v i s i o n m e t h o d h a s t r a d i t i o n a l l y b e e n u s e d i n t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s .Th e c l a s s a n d zo n e
m e t h o d h a s b e e n u s e d i n o t h e r c o u n t r i e s i n a c c o r d a n c e w i t h IEC s t a n d a r d s .
Th e r e a r e t w o t y p e s o f d i v i s i o n s u n d e r Cl a s s Ic o n d i t i o n s :
W h e r e ig n it a b le c o n c e n t r a t io n s o f f la m
m a b l e g a s e s ,v a p o r s o r l i qu i d s c a n e xi s t a l l o r f o r
s o m e t im e u n d e r n o r m a l o p e r a t in g c o n d it io n s
W h e r e ig n it a b le c o n c e n t r a t io n s o f f la m
m a b l e g a s e s ,v a p o r s o r l i qu i d s a r e n o t l i ke l y t o e xi s t
u n d e r n o r m a l o p e r a t in g c o n d it io n s
S i m i l a r l y ,t h e r e a r e t w o t y p e s o f d i v i s i o n s u n d e r Cl a s s IIc o n d i t i o n s :
W h e r e ig n it a b le c o n c e n t r a t io n s o f c o m
b u s t i b l e d u s t c a n e xi s t a l l o r f o r s o m e t i m e u n d e r
n o r m a l o p e r a t in g c o n d it io n s
W h e r e ig n it a b le c o n c e n t r a t io n s o f c o m
b u s t i b l e d u s t a r e n o t l i ke l y t o e xi s t u n d e r n o r m a l
o p e r a t in g c o n d it io n s
Zo n e s d e f i n e d p e r IEC s t a n d a r d s a r e a s f o l l o w s :
Zo
fo
Zo
t im
Zo
u n
n e
r lo
n e
e
n e
d e
0.W h
n g p e
1 .W h
u n d e r
2.W h
r n o r m
e r e ig
r io d s
e r e ig
n o r m
e r e ig
a l o p
n it a
a t a
n it a
a l o
n it a
e r a
b le
t im
b le
p e r
b le
t in g
c o n
e u n
c o n
a t in
c o n
c o n
c e n t r a t io n
d e r n o r m
c e n t r a t io n
g c o n d it io
c e n t r a t io n
d it io n s .
s o f fla
a l o p e r
s o f fla
n s .
s o f fla
m m a b l e g a s e s ,v a p o r s o r l i qu i d s c a n e xi s t a l l o f t h e t i m e o r
a t in g c o n d it io n s .
m m a b l e g a s e s ,v a p o r s o r l i qu i d s c a n e xi s t s o m e o f t h e
m m a b l e g a s e s ,v a p o r s o r l i qu i d s a r e n o t l i ke l y t o e xi s t
N a t u r e /G r o u p s o f H a za r d o u s S u b s t a n c e s a r e :
G r o u p A ,B,C a n d D i n Cl a s s Il o c a t i o n s
G r o u p E,F a n d G i n Cl a s s IIl o c a t i o n s
Com bustibl e and Fl am m abl e M ate r ial s in a Coal -Fir e d Pow e r Pl ant
M a n y t y p e s o f c o m b u s t i b l e a n d f l a m m a b l e m a t e r i a l s c a n b e p r e s e n t i n c o a l -fi r e d p l a n t :
Page 4 of 23
Coal .Th e m a i n c o m b u s t i b l e f u e l .In a d d i t i o n ,c o a l d u s t i s a m a jo r s o u r c e o f d u s t e xp l o s i o n s i n a c o a l -fi r e d

p o w e r p l a n t .It c a n c a u s e p r i m a r y e xp l o s i o n w h e n t h e r i g h t c o n c e n t r a t i o n o f f i n e l y d i v i d e d d u s t ,s u s p e n d e d
i n a i r ,i s e xp o s e d t o a s u f f i c i e n t s o u r c e o f i g n i t i o n c a u s i n g c o m b u s t i o n .If t h i s p r i m a r y e xp l o s i o n o c c u r s ,
a d d i t i o n a l a v a i l a b l e d u s t c a n d i s p e r s e a n d s e c o n d a r y e xp l o s i o n s c a n s p r e a d t h r o u g h o u t t h e f a c i l i t y .
Pr op ane .U s e d a s s t a r t -u p f u e l .It c a n b e p r e s e n t i n g a s c y l i n d e r s ,p i p i n g t o i g n i t i o n b u r n e r a n d t o
c o m b u s t o r ,g a s s h u t -o f f v a l v e ,g a s c o n t r o l v a l v e b l o c k,g a s -re l i e f v a l v e .
Natur al gas.A s s t a r t -u p o r a l t e r n a t e f u e l .G a s c a n b e p r e s e n t i n g a s c o m p r e s s o r s t a t i o n ,f i l t e r a n d s c r u b b e r
s t a t i o n ,g a s p r e -h e a t e r a r e a s ,g a s s h u t -o f f v a l v e a n d f i l t e r ,g a s c o n t r o l v a l v e b l o c k,g a s r e l i e f v a l v e ,a n d g a s
p ip in g .
Fue l oil.A s s t a r t -u p o r a l t e r n a t e f u e l .Ca n b e p r e s e n t i n o i l t a n ks ,f u e l u n l o a d i n g a n d f o r w a r d i n g p u m p
s t a t i o n ,f u e l o i l b o o s t e r p u m p a n d l e a ka g e t a n k,f u e l o i l c o n t r o l v a l v e b l o c k a n d f u e l o i l p i p i n g t o b u r n e r s .Th e
f u e l o il b e c o m e s f la m m a b le w h e n h e a t e d a b o v e it s f la s h p o in t .
H yd r oge n.A s c o o l i n g m e d i u m
f o r g e n e r a t o r c o o lin g a n d r e le a s e f r o m
DC s y s t e m
b a t t e r i e s .A l s o p r e s e n t i n
h y d r o g e n g a s u n i t ,s e a l o i l u n i t ,c o n t r o l c u b i c l e a n d p i p i n g .
Am m onia.A qu e o u s a m m o n i a i s u s e d f o r n i t r o g e n o xi d e e m i s s i o n r e d u c t i o n b y s e l e c t i v e c a t a l y t i c r e d u c t i o n
(S CR)o r s e l e c t i v e n o n -c a t a l y t i c r e d u c t i o n (S N CR)m e t h o d .In c l u d e s a m m o n i a s t o r a g e a n d p i p i n g .
Sour ce s ofIgnition:El e ctr ical Equip m e nt
Th e r e a r e 3 w a y s i n w h i c h e l e c t r i c a l e qu i p m e n t c a n b e c o m e a s o u r c e o f i g n i t i o n :
Ar cs and sp ar ks.Pr o d u c e d b y t h e n o r m a l o p e r a t i o n o f e qu i p m e n t ,e .g .,m o t o r s t a r t e r s ,c o n t a c t o r s ,a n d
s w it c h e s c a n ig n it e a c o m b u s t ib le o r a f la m m a b le m a t e r ia l.
H igh te m p e r atur e .S o m e h e a t p r o d u c i n g e qu i p m e n t ,s u c h a s l i g h t l a m p s a n d l i g h t i n g f i xt u r e s ,e l e c t r i c
m o t o r s a n d h e a t e r s c a n i g n i t e f l a m m a b l e a t m o s p h e r e s i f t h e y e xc e e d t h e i g n i t i o n t e m p e r a t u r e o f t h e
h a za r d o u s m a t e r i a l .
El e ctr ical e quip m e ntfailur e . S h o r t i n g o f a t e r m i n a l c o u l d s p a r k i g n i t i o n .
El e c t r i c a l e qu i p m e n t c a n c a u s e e xp l o s i o n s i n c o a l d u s t a t m o s p h e r e s w h e n l o c a t e d i n c o a l c o n v e y o r g a l l e r i e s ,
t r a n s f e r t o w e r s ,h e a d c h u t e ,f l o p g a t e b u n ke r s ,c o a l p r e p a r a t i o n s y s t e m /c r u s h e r h o u s e ,c o a l s i l o s ,a n d f e e d
s y s t e m ,t o t a l l y e n c l o s e d p o r t i o n s o f c o a l h a n d l i n g c o n v e y o r s ,c o a l h a n d l i n g b e l o w
g ra d e c o n v e y o r s y s te m s ,
c o a l c h u t e s ,d u s t c o l l e c t o r s ,a n d o t h e r l o c a t i o n s w h e r e d u s t c a n s e t t l e ,h i d d e n c o n c e a l e d a r e a s ,a n d w h e r e
o t h e r c o m b u s t i b l e a n d f l a m m a b l e m a t e r i a l s e xi s t .
S i m i l a r l y ,e l e c t r i c a l e qu i p m e n t c a n c a u s e e xp l o s i o n s i n p r o p a n e g a s ,n a t u r a l g a s ,f u e l o i l ,h y d r o g e n g a s a n d
a m m o n i a g a s a r e a s ,w h e r e f l a m m a b l e c o n d i t i o n s e xi s t .
Page 5 of 23
Se l e ction and Instal l ation ofEl e ctr ical Equip m e ntfor H azar d ous Locations
Ig n i t i o n s ,c o m b u s t i o n a n d e xp l o s i o n w i t h i n e l e c t r i c e qu i p m e n t a n d c i r c u i t w i r i n g e n c l o s u r e s i n h a za r d o u s
a r e a s a r e d u e t o h o t s u r f a c e s a n d a r c s /s p a r ks ,o r c o m b u s t i b l e m a t e r i a l e n t e r i n g t h e e n c l o s u r e s .Th e i d e a l
e l e c t r i c a l e n c l o s u r e s h o u l d b e i n s t a l l e d a n d r e m o v e d e a s i l y ,p r o t e c t t h e e qu i p m e n t ,a l l o w
th e c o m p o n e n ts
h o u s e d i n s i d e i t t o b e a c c e s s e d e a s i l y ,a n d r e s i s t a n d p r e v e n t f i r e a n d e xp l o s i o n h a za r d s .N FPA 7 0,N FPA 7 9,

N EM A 250,U L 50,U L 508A ;Ca n a d i a n S t a n d a r d A s s o c i a t i o n CS A 22.2,a n d IEC 60529 p r o v i d e s g u i d a n c e i n t h e
s e le c t io n o f s p e c if ic t y p e o f e n c lo s u r e t o m a t c h t h e e n v ir o n m e n t a l p r o t e c t io n .
Equ i p m e n t p r o t e c t i o n m e t h o d s i n c l u d e f l a m e p r o o f ,e n c a p s u l a t i o n ,o i l e m e r s i o n ,d u s t i g n i t i o n p r o o f ,d u s t
t i g h t ,p o w d e r f i l l e d ,n o n -s p a r ki n g ,n o n -in c e n d i a r y a n d h e r m e t i c a l l y s e a l e d c o n s t r u c t i o n .M a n y o f t h e s e
m e t h o d s a p p l y t o A C-p o w e r e d c i r c u i t s ,b u t f e w
a r e u s e d f o r in s t r u m e n t w ir in g c ir c u it w ir in g .
W h e n i n s t a l l a t i o n s a r e n o t e xp l o s i o n p r o o f o r i n t r i n s i c a l l y s a f e ,p r e s s u r i za t i o n i s o f t e n u s e d t o m a i n t a i n t h e
c l a s s i f i e d a r e a s a f e t y .W i r i n g a n d e n c l o s u r e s a r e p r o t e c t e d u s i n g a p o s i t i v e p r e s s u r e m a i n t a i n e d w i t h i n t h e
e n c l o s u r e ,ju n c t i o n b o xe s a n d c o n d u i t a s p e r A N S I/N FPA 496.
In t r i n s i c a l l y s a f e c i r c u i t s i n w h i c h a n y s p a r k o r t h e r m a l e f f e c t i s i n c a p a b l e o f c a u s i n g i g n i t i o n o f a m i xt u r e o f
f l a m m a b l e o r c o m b u s t i b l e m a t e r i a l i n a i r ,m a y b e u s e d i n h a za r d o u s c l a s s i f i e d l o c a t i o n s .N EC A r t i c l e 504
r e qu i r e s t h a t c o n d u c t o r s a n d c a b l e s o f i n t r i n s i c a l l y s a f e c i r c u i t s s h a l l b e p h y s i c a l l y s e p a r a t e d f r o m
n o n -
i n t r i n s i c a l l y s a f e c i r c u i t s .N o n i n c e n d i v e c i r c u i t s ,i n w h i c h a n y s p a r k o r t h e r m a l e f f e c t p r o d u c e d u n d e r
i n t e n d e d o p e r a t i n g c o n d i t i o n s i s n o t c a p a b l e o f i g n i t i n g t h e g a s -a i r ,v a p o r -a i r ,o r d u s t -a i r m i xt u r e ,m a y b e
u s e d f o r e qu i p m e n t i n Cl a s s 1 ,D i v i s i o n 2 a n d Cl a s s II,D i v i s i o n 2 h a za r d o u s c l a s s i f i e d l o c a t i o n s .
El e ctr ical Equip m e ntfor Cl ass IAp p l ications (gas/vap or )
Cl a s s I,D i v i s i o n 1 e qu i p m e n t i s u s e d w i t h t h e a s s u m p t i o n t h a t h a za r d o u s g a s e s o r v a p o r s w i l l b e p r e s e n t a n d
e v e n t u a l l y s e e p i n t o t h e e n c l o s u r e .Th e r e f o r e ,c o n s t r u c t i o n o f s u c h e qu i p m e n t m u s t b e s t r o n g e n o u g h t o
c o n t a i n a n e xp l o s i o n w i t h i n ,a n d b e e xp l o s i o n p r o o f .It m u s t f u n c t i o n a t a t e m p e r a t u r e b e l o w
t h e ig n it io n
t e m p e r a t u r e o f t h e s u r r o u n d in g a t m o s p h e r e p r o v id in g a w a y f o r t h e b u r n in g g a s e s t o e s c a p e f r o m
th e
d e v i c e a s t h e g a s e s e xp a n d d u r i n g a n i n t e r n a l e xp l o s i o n ,o n l y a f t e r t h e y h a v e b e e n c o o l e d o f f a n d t h e i r
f l a m e s qu e n c h e d .Th e e s c a p e p a t h s c o u l d b e g r o u n d s u r f a c e o r t h r e a d e d f l a m e p a t h .Fu r t h e r ,i t i s i m p e r a t i v e
t o e n s u r e t h a t a l l f l a m e p a t h s a r e p r o t e c t e d d u r i n g h a n d l i n g ,s h i p p i n g ,s t o r a g e ,i n s t a l l a t i o n a n d m a i n t e n a n c e
o f e xp l o s i o n p r o o f m a t e r i a l a n d e qu i p m e n t .
El e ctr ical Equip m e ntfor Cl ass IIAp p l ications
Cl a s s II,D i v i s i o n 1 e qu i p m e n t i s d e s i g n e d a n d c o n s t r u c t e d s u c h t h a t i t m u s t s e a l o u t t h e c o m b u s t i b l e d u s t ,
o p e r a t e b e lo w
t h e i g n i t i o n t e m p e r a t u r e o f h a za r d o u s s u b s t a n c e s ,a n d a l l o w
f o r a d u s t b l a n ke t .Th e r e f o r e ,
t h e r e i s n o n e e d f o r h e a v y e xp l o s i o n -p r o o f c o n s t r u c t i o n ,o r f l a m e p a t h s r e qu i r e d f o r e qu i p m e n t i n Cl a s s I,
D i v i s i o n 1 l o c a t i o n s .Cl a s s IIe qu i p m e n t i s c a l l e d d u s t -ig n i t i o n p r o o f .
El e ctr ical Equip m e ntfor Cl ass IIIAp p l ications
Page 6 of 23
There is very little difference in the design between Class II and Class III equipment. Class III equipment must
minimize entrance of fibers and flyings, prevent escape of sparks, burning material or hot metal particles
resulting from failure of equipment, and operate at a temperature that will prevent the ignition of fibers
accumulated on the equipment. Class III equipment is generally not used in coal-fired power plants.
There are many devices, fixtures and enclosures that are suitable for Class I, II and III locations. Additionally,
a Class I device would have to prevent dust entering the enclosure to be suitable for Class III application.
Low Ambient Conditions Considerations
Explosion proof or dust ignition proofequipment is generally suitable for use in an ambient temperature
range of -25C (-13F) to +40C (+104F). Such equipment may not be suitable for use at temperatures lower
than -25C (-13F), unless they are identified for lower temperature service.
Equipment that is approved for Class I and Class II or Zone 0 and Zone 1 should be marked with the
maximum safe operating temperature. Equipment must be selected so that its maximum surface
temperature will be less than the ignition temperature of the coal dust.
Installation Considerations
Proper installation of electrical equipment in a hazardous location requires use of seals. Special fittings are
required to keep hot gases from travelling through the conduit system igniting other areas if an internal
explosion occurs in a Class I device.
Coal handling buildings that have dust explosion hazards, structural members should be carefully reviewed
for explosion pressures. Also, proper pressure relieving vents and wall panels should be selected, located
and provided.
Qualification of Electrical Equipment in Hazardous (Classified) Locations
There are a number of ways of protecting electrical equipment so that it does not cause an explosion when
used in a surrounding flammable atmosphere, or ignite a layer of dust on the equipment. The two most
common ways are explosion-proof equipment and dust-ignition proof equipment
Electric motors should be totally enclosed fan-cooled, Class II, Division 2/Zone 1 type or totally enclosed pipeventilated type, meeting temperature rise limitations.
In Coal handling areas, where accumulation of coal dust and its suspension in air are sources of potential
hazards, medium voltage switchgear and low voltage switchgear enclosures should be fully gasketed and be
provided with filtered and screened air.
Page 7 of 23
Dust ignitionproof equipment should be enclosed in a manner that will exclude dust and constructed so
that arcs, sparks, or heat generated inside of the enclosure will not ignite exterior accumulation or
atmospheric suspension of a specified dust on or in the vicinity of the enclosure.
Electrical devices including switches, solenoids, panels, should be used with NEMA 9 (dust ignitionproof)
enclosures with watertight seals (O-rings), which together with the enclosed equipment in each case, shall be
as complete assembly for Class II, Division 1, Group F locations.
NEC Article 500.8 (A) states that the suitability of identified equipment shall be determined by the equipment
listing or labeling (for example, UL), evidence of equipment evaluation from a qualified testing laboratory or
inspection agency, or evidence acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction.
Applicable Industry Codes and Standards
In the United States, codes and standards have been developed that are applicable to hazardous classified
areas as shown in Table 1.
Table 1. Codes and standard applicable to hazardous classified areas. Source: Burns and Roe Enterprises.
(http://cdn.powermag.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/CP_090113_ElecClass_Table1.jpg)
Page 8 of 23
Design Basis Document (DBD) and Drawings

A design basis document is an engineering document that defines the basis of engineering and design, and
the selection of electrical equipment that must meet requirements for each classified area. The design basis
document also provides the necessary guidance to inter-discipline team of engineers in the design of their
systems and design drawings for classified areas.
The design basis document and design drawings should include:
A listing of all combustible and flammable materials used in the facility, along with their pertinent
properties, such as ignition temperature, flash point, density and how and where handled.
Brief description of the process, operation, maintenance and cleaning procedures, and assumptions.
A list, including dates and/or editions of all the codes, standards, references, practices, and other data
used to prepare area classification.
A listing of each room or area and its determined area classification, along with the rationale for
making such determination.
A complete set of electrical area classification drawings, indicating process flow, process equipment, the
normal leakage sources, and the boundaries of area classifications.
Practical Guidelines
Table 2 provides general practical guidelines for classification of electrical areas where combustible and/or
flammable materials are located and processes are performed in a coal-fired power plant. The following is a
list of NEC rules that are intended to convey an awareness of the complexity of electrical design in hazardous
areas:
Explosion proof and dust-ignition proof equipment is required in Division 1 (Zone 0) areas and for
certain types of equipment in Division 2 (Zone 1) areas.
Approved equipment by UL or other appropriate agency should be preferred.
Electrical equipment should preferably be located outside hazardous area.
General-purpose equipment is permitted for certain applications in Division 2 (Zone 2) areas.
Purging and pressurization of enclosures are permitted to prevent entrance of flammable and
combustible materials, provided the specific rules of NFPA 469 are followed.
Instrument enclosures may be general-purpose type if they are part of intrinsically safe systems, and if
they are installed per NEC article 504.
Rigid metal conduit is the allowable wiring method in Division 1 areas.
Cable tray and cable, under certain conditions, are permitted in Division 2 areas.
Electrical equipment must have temperature ratings or operating surface temperatures below the AIT
of the hazardous substance present.
Table 2. Guidelines for classification of electrical areas. Source: Burns and Roe Enterprises.
Page 9 of 23
(http://cdn.powermag.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/CP_090113_ElecClass_Table2.jpg)
Page 10 of 23
Sound engineering judgment should be applied and additional areas, not mentioned in Table 2, should be
identified. Equipment manufacturers recommendations for area classification of specific equipment should
be followed, if they are more stringent than the guidelines provided in Table 2.
When there is more than one leakage source in an area, such as in a manifold having several instruments,
valves and flanges, or if there are several pieces of equipment with potential leak sources, the area should be
boxed out as an overall 3 dimensional shape covering limits of extreme leakage points.
In addition to the recommended distances from sources, considerations should be given to use easily
recognizable boundary limits when defining the horizontal and vertical extent of classified locations.
Examples of recognizable boundaries are column lines, walls, ceilings, coordinates, equipment outlines,
roads, dikes, etc. Areas identified by recognizable boundaries are helpful for plant installation, operation and
maintenance personnel.
To avoid undue expense, precaution should be taken to verify that boxing an overall area or extending a
classified area to recognizable boundaries does not include electrical equipment that would otherwise not be
included in the hazardous area.
Project Documents
Project documents prepared and used in establishing hazardous areas include process flow diagrams of the
systems containing the hazardous materials, piping layouts, equipment general arrangements, and vendor
supplied equipment drawings
Two examples may be illustrative. The first shows a typical example of a pulverized coal-fired power plant
coal handling system process flow diagram (http://www.powermag.com/?attachment_id=43580), and the
second shows boiler general arrangement with classified hazardous locations (http://www.powermag.com/?
attachment_id=43582).
The design basis document and the associated design drawings that show the extent of horizontal and
vertical boundaries of each classified area should be discussed with the owner, the construction contractor
and the plant operators for their understanding of the affected areas. It also helps the plant operation
personnel to take protective measures that ensure safety of operation and maintenance of plant and better
understanding to inspectors and insurance personnel.
Ram K. Saini, P.E. is assistant chief electrical engineer with Burns and Roe Enterprises.
PRINT MODE : ON
Page 11 of 23
myPOWER
my dashboard
(http://engage.powermag.com/content/home?
mypower)
COAL
COAL
Senate's Failed Veto Override Leaves

WOTUS Rule Intact
(http://www.powermag.com/senatesfailed-veto-override-leaves-wotus-ruleintact/?mypower)
D.C. Circuit Denies Stay of Clean Power

Plan (http://www.powermag.com/d-ccircuit-denies-stay-of-clean-powerplan/?mypower)
Congressional efforts to block the Environmental

Protection Agency's (EPA's) contentious rule asserting
federal authority over
Read More (http://www.powermag.com/senates-
A federal court has denied the motions for stay requested

by 27 states and numerous
Read More (http://www.powermag.com/d-c-circuitdenies-stay-of-clean-power-plan/?mypower)
failed-veto-override-leaves-wotus-rule-intact/?
mypower)
COAL
Greece, Croatia, and Italy Chart a Course

to More Solar Power
(http://www.powermag.com/greececroatia-and-italy-chart-a-course-tomore-solar-power/?mypower)
A status update and forecast for solar photovoltaic power
in Greece, Croatia, and Italy. In
Read More (http://www.powermag.com/greececroatia-and-italy-chart-a-course-to-more-solarpower/?mypower)
Condition-Based Maintenance
Bolsters the Bottom Line in Power
Generation
(http://www.powermag.com/partnercontent/condition-basedmaintenance-bolsters-the-bottomline-in-power-generation/?mypower)
Learn More
(http://www.powermag.com/partnercontent/condition-based-maintenancebolsters-the-bottom-line-in-powergeneration/?mypower)
Page 12 of 23
1 Comment
ankit sapra
Very informative article.
POWERMAG
TOP PLANTS: Central Nuclear Nstor

Kirchner (Atucha II), Lima, Argentina
Turning Brownfields into Greenfields: From

Coal to Clean Energy
Noooo claim
There seems to be a perception in

this article that forests and grasslands are not a
productive use of
Reduce Ozone When and Where It Matters

Most
Kemper IGCC Celebrates Key Milestone,

Suffers New Cost Increases
How is this not considered a "dispersion

technique" unallowed by Section 123 of the
Clean Air Act?
Gas is no better GHG wise than coal.

search super emitters worse than coal search
Lazard energy version 8
DecisionBriefs | OSIsoft
Research Paper: Real-time Sensor Data for

Enhanced Aftermarket Services
The findings in this new study shows how service
providers can deliver the expertise power and oil
and gas companies need as they lose their asset
experts 89 percent of these companies ...
View More
Page 13 of 23
Email Alert Sign-up

Get POWERnews FREE!
POWERnews is a weekly e-newsletter that keeps you
informed about the latest developments in the
electric power industry. Get the next POWERnews
delivered to your inbox.
Email Address
Sign-up
More Jobs
JOB FEED
(http://jobs.powermag.com/jobseeker/search/results/)
Power System Engineer Senior - Austin
Energy - Austin, TX
(http://jobs.powermag.com/jobseeker/job/26531031/)
Protection Engineer I, II, III (SPS) Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories Pullman, WA
Engineer I, II, III - Modeling Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories Pullman, Washington
Search Jobs
Post a Job
(http://jobs.powermag.com/c/profile/index.cfm?
site_id=2669&referrer=2669)
Post a Resume
(http://jobs.powermag.com/r/jobs/post/post.cfm?
site_id=2669)
Most Read ()
Page 14 of 23
Most Commented ()
Most Shared ()
Most Read
Big Data and the Industrial Internet Meet
the Power Plant
(http://www.powermag.com/big-dataindustrial-internet-meet-power-plant/)
Calpine to Take Uneconomic CCGT Plant
Offline in Calif.
(http://www.powermag.com/calpine-totake-uneconomic-ccgt-plant-offline-incalif/)
Fight Over Ohio Power Plant Subsidies
Keeps Expanding
(http://www.powermag.com/fight-overohio-power-plant-subsidies-keepsexpanding/)
The Generating Company Challenge:
Manage Change While Maintaining
Reliability
(http://www.powermag.com/generatingcompany-challenge-manage-changemaintaining-reliability/)
Oil- and Gas-Rich UAE Banks on Nuclear
Power (http://www.powermag.com/oilgas-rich-uae-banks-nuclear-power/)
Page 15 of 23
Tweets
Follow
POWER magazine
@POWERmagazine
6h
Record Changes and Uncertainty Reshape the

U.S. Utility Industry
powermag.com/record-changes
POWER magazine
@POWERmagazine
25 Jan
Quick way to search all powermag.com in

Google:
site:powermag.com Your Search Term or Phrase
Here
Expand
POWER magazine
@POWERmagazine
25 Jan
Some browsers are "hiding" the Search bar on

powermag.com at the moment. Solution in the
Tweet to @POWERmagazine
VIDEOS & INFOGRAPHICS
Page 16 of 23
(http://powermag.com/long-form-stories/bwpower/)
POWERs Editor Interviewed About Carbon
Capture and Sequestration
In November 2015, POWER Editor Gail Reitenbach
gave a luncheon keynote presentation at the
Carbon Management Technology Conference on
SaskPower's Boundary Dam 3 carbon capture
and sequestration (CCS) project. In this postpresentation interview, she talks about the role
of CCS for the power industry. View Video
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SliUXgxH7K4)
Visit our video archive (/power-videoarchive/)
January 26, 2016
Changing contract expiration dates

will affect crude oil futures
comparisons
Source: EIA, Intercontinental Exchange, CME Group
INDUSTRY NEWS
Page 17 of 23
Recognizing health concerns in wind energy

development a key recommendation in new
study (http://phys.org/news/2016-01-healthenergy-key.html)
Natural Gas Gains on Cold Weather

Forecasts
(http://www.nasdaq.com/article/naturalgas-gains-on-cold-weather-forecastscm570644)
Unit 2 Of Kundankulam Nuclear Plant To Be

Commissioned Shortly
(http://www.ndtv.com/tamil-nadunews/unit-2-of-kundankulam-nuclear-plantto-be-commissioned-shortly-1270368)
A Look At Our Energy Tomorrow

(http://breakingenergy.com/2016/01/26/a-lookat-our-energy-tomorrow/)
Texas man falls 30 feet, dies at Oklahoma

power plant
(http://www.mysanantonio.com/business/energy/article/Texasman-falls-30-feet-dies-at-Oklahoma-power6784993.php)
INDUSTRY PRESS
(http://www.powermag.com/pressreleases/brawler-industries-announcesanother-expansion/)
Page 18 of 23
(http://www.powermag.com/pressreleases/mitsubishi-hitachi-powersystems-americas-hosts-industry-leadersshowcases-first-m501j-gas-turbine-tomove-through-the-assembly-line-atsavannah-machinery-works-in-ga/)
Page 19 of 23
(http://www.powermag.com/pressreleases/ge-introduces-newevaporationsolidification-technology-tomeet-us-epa-wastewater-dischargeguidelines-for-steam-electric-and-coalfired-power-plants/)
Page 20 of 23
(http://www.powermag.com/pressreleases/wonderware-office-bundlesimplifies-reporting-and-analysis/)
Page 21 of 23
(http://www.powermag.com/pressreleases/ansaldo-energia-to-acquiretechnology-and-other-important-alstomassets-from-general-electric/)
Page 22 of 23
UPCOMING EVENTS
European Steam Turbine Users Conference,
02/08 - 02/09
(http://uk.tacook.com/events/conferences/details/europeansteam-turbine-users-conference.html?
utm_source=External%20Power%20News%
20eblast&utm_medium=Brochure%20live%
20html&utm_term=Homepage&utm_content=1%
20Dec&utm_campaign=STU2015)
EUCG Spring 2016 Conference & Workshop,
04/17 - 04/20
(https://www.eucg.org/events/spring2016_conference.cfm)
ELECTRIC POWER, PRESENTED BY POWER
MAGAZINE 18TH ANNUAL, 04/18 - 04/21
(http://www.electricpowerexpo.com)
IEEE T&D 2016, 05/02 - 05/05
(http://www.ieeet-d.org)
APPA National Conference, 06/10 - 06/15
(http://www.publicpower.org/Events/Landing.cfm?
ItemNumber=29890&navItemNumber=38289)
EEI Annual Convention, 06/12 - 06/15
(http://www.eei.org/about/meetings/meeting.aspx?
EEIEventId=5DF6CB2C-06A9-43E2-893FE259E5895543)
World Nuclear Exhibition, 06/28 - 06/30
(http://www.world-nuclearexhibition.com/en/)
EUCG Fall Conference & Workshop, 09/18 09/21
(https://www.eucg.org/events/future.cfm)
Energy Storage North America, 10/04 - 10/06
(http://www.esnaexpo.com/)
Follow Us:
Page 23 of 23
About (http://www.powermag.com/about-us)
Contact (http://www.powermag.com/contact-us)
Subscribe (http://www.powermag.com/subscribe-to-power-print-e-newsletters-and-job-alerts/)
Advertise (http://www.powermag.com/mediakit/)
Contribute (http://cdn.powermag.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/1_ContributorGuidelines_2014.pdf?
_ga=1.248967175.1450376133.1440038585)
More ()
Copyright Access Intelligence 2016. All Rights Reserved.

Electrical Area Classification in Coal-Fired Power Plants

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Electrical Area Classification in Coal-Fired Power Plants

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Electrical Area Classification in Coal-Fired Power Plants

Fi n d a l l o f y o u r i n d u s t r y -re l a t e d r e s o u r c e s i n o n e s p o t .Vi s i t t h e PO W ER STO RE

c o n c e r n s o f Pu l v e r i ze d Co a l (PC)o r Ci r c u l a t i n g Fl u i d i ze d Be d (CFB)c o m b u s t i o n t y p e c o a l -fi r e d p o w e r p l a n t s