OMV Petrom EP Demand Management

Standard

PETROM
Membru OMV Grup

Title:

STANDARDIZATION
PROTECTION FOR
MOTORS

OF THE EXPLOSION-PROOF
LOW VOLTAGE ELECTRICAL

Objec
tive:

To assure the optimal explosion-proof protection type for low

voltage electrical motors, depending on the operational area

Elaborated by: P-EP-DA DM-SS

Cristian Preda

Checked by:

Nicolae Jugravu

P-EP-PE FE

-EP-DA-DM-SS

Approved by:

Atif Sheikh

P-EP-PE-FE

loan Manea

P-EP-DA-DM

Ion Anyhel

P-EP-DA

Gabriel Selischi

Organizatia

Nume

r
ss.~ile~
jr
/

91. ,&&~
-

In the interest of simplicity and readability, the language of this document is

as far as possible gender neutral. Where applicable, the masculine
incorporates the feminine.

Petrom EP Standard RO-EP-DMSS-STD-046-O1-E

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STANDARDIZATION OF THE EXPLOSION-PROOF PROTECTION FOR LOW VOLTAGE

ELECTRICAL MOTORS
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Standard

Membru OMV Grup

1. Scope
This standard is applicable for the low voltage electrical motors designed for potentially
explosive areas. It determines the type of explosion-proof protection for motors that
must be used in hazardous environment.
2. Introduction
Explosion prevention and protection are of a crucial importance as explosions
endanger peoples life and health as a result of the uncontrollable effects of flame and
blast (hot radiations, flames, pressure waves, projected particles, propelled debris), of
the chemical toxic reactive substances and of oxygen depletion from air. Furthermore,
damages caused by an explosion might be particularly significant in terms of
equipment and plant damage and can affect long term production loss and business
reputation.
Oil&Gas Industry operates at high level of risk in regard with the potential explosive
areas.
Relative to the electrical motor applications, more than 40% from operations take place
in classified areas. Formerly, the explosion-proof motors were prominent because they
seemed robust, could be used in Area 1 and had the best rated turnover in the market.
Another reason for the prevailing utilization of explosion-proof motors was also the
limits imposed by that time regulations. As the result of the standard modifications in
the nineties, non-incendiary protection type has been built, especially for Area 2, and
the Exe-increased safety type, has been accepted for Area 1. Based on some
commercial and financial reasons, Exe-increased (non-incendiary) motors should be
purchased against explosion-proof motors, which are much more expensive Its a pity
that some users, for some reasons (including the ignorance), keep on ordering
explosion-proof motors which are much more expensive than the Exe-increased safety
(non-incendiary) motors.
Furthermore, although the explosion-proof motors seem to be safe, most of them
actually lose their ex-proof characteristics after the first intervention.
As a consequence of the above mentioned, standardization of the protection types for
low voltage electrical motors designed for potential explosive areas has been decided
as being necessary.
3. Definitions
Zones : Hazardous areas are classified per zones, depending on the frequence and
duration of a gaseous explosive atmosphere, as follows:
Zone 0: An aria where a gaseous explosive atmosphere persists or lasts for a
long period of time.
-

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STANDARDIZATION OF THE EXPLOSION-PROOF PROTECTION FOR LOW VOLTAGE

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Zone 1: An aria where a gaseous explosive atmosphere is probable under normal

operational conditions.
Zone 2: An aria where a gaseous explosive atmosphere is not probable under
normal operational conditions; even if it occurs, it will be seldom and for a short
period of time.

Protection types used in this standard:

Increased safety e : protection type comprising some additional characteristics for
an increased safety in case of an overheating, flame arc and sparks, under the
conditions of a normal operation or under specified abnormal conditions.
Relative to this protection type, there are also defined the following:
Non-incendiary ,,n: protection type applied to the electrical apparatus to prevent
ignition of a surrounding explosive atmosphere under normal work conditions or under
some specified abnormal conditions.
Explosion-proof encapsulation d: protection type where the potential flammable
parts of apparatus are placed into an encapsulation reliable for the pressure developed
by an internal explosion and able to prevent the explosion propagation to the external
explosive atmosphere.
Explosion prevention and protection is based on two principles considering the
simultaneous conditions of an explosive atmosphere and an efficent ignition source
and considering, at the same time, the foreseen effects of an explosion. These two
priciples are:
a) Prevention:
To avoid an explosive atmospheres. This objective is mainly achievable by
modification of either the flammable substance concentration to a value
out of the ignition range or the oxygen concentration to a value under the
limit of oxygen concentration (LOG);
To avoid all the actual/potential ignition sources;
b) Protection:
To limit the effects of an explosion to an acceptable limit through
constructive protection actions. Unlike the actions described above, the
probability of an explosion has been considered here.
Risk elimination or mitigation can be achieved either by applying one of the aforesaid
prevention/protection principle or by a combination of these priciples.
Protection types can be classified by three categories, depending on the lighting
source and the potential explosive atmosphere, as follows:
1. Protection type allowing a direct contact between the ignition source and hazardous
atmosphere (explosion-proof encapsulation ,,d, intrinsic safety ,,i, non-incendiary
nC).

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2. Protection type disallowing a direct contact between the ignition source and
hazardous atmosphere (oil immersion ,,o, pressurized encapsulation p. sand
embedment ,,q).
3. Protection type tending (by its own construction) to eliminate the ignition source
under specified conditions (increased safety ,,e, non-incendiary ,,nA).
Equipment Protection Level
EPL (Equipment Protection Level), in accordance with the series of standards IEC /
EN 60079-xx.
Definition:
Protection level assigned to equipment, based on the risk of becoming an ignition
source, categorized per gaseous explosive atmospheres, dust explosive
environments and potential explosive environments in coal mines.
Ratio between zones, Atex categories and EPL:
Zone classification
Explosive
concentration

Equipment category/level
Risk

Explosion
group

ATEX
category

IEC EPL

Often/long
periods

High, safe with 2

defects

II

1G

Ga

Occasional

High, safe with

defect

II

2G(1G)

Gb(Ga)

II

3G(1G/2G)

Gc(GalGb)

Seldom/almost
never

Normal

For some cases, it was established that the protection type can be divided in
different protection levels matching to each zone. A better risk assesment shall
consider all factors. Use of the risk assessment instead of an inflexible approach, like
formerly, correlation to the zones with equipment under potential risk of ignition is
obviously more profitable, irrespective of the protection type. Since 2007, IEC
technical standards from series IEC 60079 and, especially IEC 60079 part 14, have
determined that, for some special situations, protection against ignition sources
must be increased over the normal levels. This concept can take into consideration
the risk (i.e., explosion consequences), unlike the simple probability of a flammable
atmosphere a conventional selection criterium between the protection types and
zone of use.

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STANDARDIZATION OF THE EXPLOSION-PROOF PROTECTION FOR LOW VOLTAGE

ELECTRICAL MOTORS
Under normal circumstances, EPLs effect will be a normal maintenance of the ratio
zone/protection equipment. When, despite of all these, risk is deemed more
critical, the required EPL for zone can be increased. Similarly, when the risk is
deemed particularly low or neglectable, EPL can be decreased.
Table below shows EPL for each protection type.
Codification

Description

EPL

Ex ia

Intrinsic safety ia

Ga

Ex ib

Intrinsic safety ib

Gb

Ex ic

Intrinsic safety ic

Gc

Ex d

Ex-proof encapsulation

Gb

Ex p

Pressurized

Gb

Ex px

Gb

Ex py

Gb

Ex pz

Gc

Ex e

Increased safety

Gb

Ex m

Encapsulation

Gb

Ex ma

Encapsulation

Ga

Ex mb

Encapsulation

Gb

Ex o

Oil immersion

Gb

Ex q

Sand embedment

Gb

Ex n

Non-incendiary

Gc

Selection depending on the gas and vapour flash point

Electrical motor type must be selected so that the maximum surface temperature
shall not achieve the flash point of all potential gases or vapours in operating
environment. Temperature class shall be marked on the electrical equipment
according to the below table.
Ratio between the temperature class, surface temperature and flash point
Temperature class

Maximum surface
temperature

Gas or vapour flash point

Ti

450C

>450C

T2

300C

>300C

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T3

200C

>200C

T4

135C

>135C

T5

100C

>100C

T6

85C

>85C

4. Standardization of the explosion-proof protection for low voltage motors

It must be specified that an important percentage of electrical motors, more than 95%
from the motors working in classified zones, are placed in Zone 2. Nevertheless, most
of the existing motors are Exd type which is more than necessary. For different
reasons, not the subject of this standard, the Exd motors are requested and used
inclusively for unclassified zones, like PUs with polished rod. For Zone 1 and 2 related
motors, the following protection types shall be used under the current regulatory
conditions:
-

Exe with EPL Gb for Zone 1; additional protections, required by SR EN 60079

relative to use of protection e in Zone 1, shall be applied in parallel;

Exn with EPLGcforZone2.

Exd protected motors shall not be purchased.

In order to not impede the technological evolution, some new explosion-proof
protections that could be manufactured, (like s type, for an attractive price), will be
timely considered.
5. Additional requirements for the variable frequency driven ex-proof low voltage
motors
Motors intended to be driven through the frequency converters shall be marked in
addition with the following information:
-

For Converter Supply;

Speed range or frequency range over which the machine is intended to be
operated;
Minimum switching frequency;
Type of torque application, e.g., variable torque, constant torque, constant
power; or alternatively the operational torque limits;
If applicable

Type identification of specific converter intended.

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STANDARDIZATION OF THE EXPLOSION-PROOF PROTECTION FOR LOW VOLTAGE

ELECTRICAL MOTORS
In addition, irrespective of the zone (1 or 2), the below mentioned requirements shall
be observed for the following motor types:
-

Exe with EPL Gb or EPL Gc,

observance of the heat protection conditions;

motor and converter shall be compulsory tested together, as an assembly.

Exd with EPL Gb or EPL Go,

observance of the heat protection conditions;

provided with temperature sensors included in windings, for a direct

control of temperature;

motor and converter test as an assembly is not compulsory.

Ex nA with EPL Gc,

Type test of the motor together with the specified converter, in accordance
with CEI 60079-15:2010.

Note: The aforesaid conditions for Exd motors have been presented as additional
information and they do not infrige on decision from section 4 above.
6. Standardization of the ex-proof low voltage motors depending on the temperature
class
Pursuant to the analysis bulletins for gas and crude conveyed/processed in E&P, as well
as to the data sheets for substance safety (MSDS) related to Ex equipment falling in
temperature classes, T3 class (200 DEG C, test gas-Hexane) is deemed satisfactory for
E&P crude and gas installations.
7. Standardization principles for the ex-proof low voltage motors depending on the
explosion-proof type
-

Economic;

Technical (for converter supply).

8. Advantages and risks

-

Advantages:
Purchasing prices significantly decreased; almost 20% decrease of capital
expenses is expected;
Cheaper prices related to maintenance;
Purchasing prices reduced by attenuation of the types number and by
decrease of the equipment weight.

Risks:
No risk identified.
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9. Actions to be undertaken
-

Blocking in the system of SAP codes representing motors with Exd protection
type (77 codes);
Blocking in the system of SAP codes representing motors with ExnA protection
type and T4 temperature class (97 codes);
Creation in the system of SAP codes for all the motors with ExnA protection type
and T3 temperature class, in balance with the blocked ones but with T4 class (97
new codes).

10.Applicable standards
SR EN 60079 series of Explosive atmospheres
standards
-

NP 099-04

Regulations for designing, manufacturing, verification

and operation of the electrical installations in areas with
explosion hazard.

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