CompEx- Basic Principles

Standards
Since the early 1920`s many standards have evolved both in Britain and all over the world.
Most of these standards are now obsolete so there is one international standard that is
really important to remember - IEC 60079.

IEC 60079-10 - Classification of Hazardous Areas

IEC 60079-14 - Construction of electrical installations

IEC 60079-17 - Inspection and maintenance

ATEX Directives
ATEX is the European Directive 94/9/EC which applies to all equipment, both electrical and
mechanical, used in hazardous atmospheres (both dust and gas). It came in to effect on
1th July 2003.

ATEX 95 - deals with all equipment and protective systems in use in potentially explosive
environments.

ATEX 137 - workplace directive that sets the minimum requirements for the safety and
health protection of workers in potentially explosive environments.

Definitions
Spark - a form of electrostatic discharge; it can occur in various types (short circuit,
lightning, static electricity, operation of switches and relays). It is important to remember
that there can be two types of sparks - incentive spark and non-incentive spark.

An Incentive spark has sufficient energy to cause an explosion in a hazardous environment

(i.e. Ignite a gas source).
 A non-incentive spark does not have the sufficient energy to cause an explosion in a
hazardous environment.

Flashpoint - the lowest temperature at which sufficient vapour is given off a liquid, to form
a flammable mixture with air that can be ignited by an arc, spark or naked flame.

Ignition temperature - the minimum temperature at which a flammable material will

spontaneously ignite.

Ambient temperature - from -20 celsius to 40 celsius.

Zones
Area classification is a method of analysing and classifying the environment where
explosive gas atmospheres may occur. The main purpose is to give guidance in the
selection and installation of apparatus to be used in that environment, taking into account
the properties of the flammable materials that will be present.

Hazardous areas are classified into zones based on an assessment of the frequency of the
occurrence and duration of an explosive gas atmosphere.

Zone 0 - an area in which an explosive atmosphere is present continuously, or for long

periods, or frequently (more than 1000 hours per year).

Zone 1 - an area in which an explosive atmosphere is likely to occur in normal operation

occasionally (more than 10, but less than 1000 hours per year).

Zone 2 - an area in which an explosive atmosphere is not likely to occur in normal

operation, but if it does occur, will persist for a short period only (less than 10 hours per
year).
 Explosive atmosphere equipment groups
Group I - Mining activities - equipment designed for use below ground and associated
areas where methane is the flammable gas (not covered in the CompEx course).

Group II - Surface industries - Gas - Sub-divided IIA, IIB, IIC (types of gases) - equipment
that is used primarily used above ground where any other flammable gas may be present.

Group III - Surface industries - Dust - Sub-divided IIIA, IIIB, IIIC - equipment that is used
where flammable dust may be present.

Equipment Protection Levels (EPL)

EPL`s are the IEC`s equivalent of the ATEX categories. It is a complicated and illogical
concept, but the candidate must be able to remember the table below in order to
successfully complete the CompEx course.

Zone ATEX Category IEC EPL

0 1G Ga

1 2G Gb

2 3G Gc

It is important to understand that equipment designed for a higher level of protection (i.e.
Zone 0) can be used in areas of lower requirements (i.e. Zone 1 or Zone 2). However,
equipment designed for lower levels of protection (i.e. Zone 1) must never be used in
areas with higher levels of protection requirements (i.e. Zone 0).
 Gas sub-division groups
Gas sub-division Gas Ignition Temp. °C

IIA Benzene 555

Butane 365
Gasoline 280
Propane 470

IIB Ethylene 425

IIC Hydrogen 560

Acetylene 305

Note: this table consists only of the most important gases and their ignition temperatures.
During the course you will learn about more gases in each group. In order to successfully
complete the CompEx course the candidate will have to memorise the contents of this
table.

Temperature Classification
Temperature classification is based on the maximum temperature reached by any part of
the equipment that could be in contact with a flammable gas.

T Class Max . surface temp.

T1 450 °C

T2 300 °C

T3 200 °C

T4 135 °C

T5 100 °C

T6 85 °C
 In order to successfully complete the CompEx course the candidate will have to memorise
the contents of this table.

CompEx - Explosion Protection Concepts

There are several methods and concepts which may be used in potentially explosive
environments. The table below identifies the types of protection based on the
Zone/EPL/Category requirements. It is absolutely essential to memorise this table in order
to successfully complete the CompEx course.

Zone/EPL/Category Types of protection

Zone 0 or EPL Ga or Cat 1 Ia, ma

Zone 1 or EPL Gb or Cat 2 d, e, mb, o, p, q, ib

Zone 2 or EPL Gc or Cat 3 n, s, ic, mc

Types of protection:

i - Intrinsic safety (ia, ib, or ic)

m - Encapsulation (ma, mb, mc)

d - Flameproof or explosion proof enclosure

e - Increased safety

o - Oil immersion

p - Pressurisation

q - Powder filling
 n - Reduced risk

s - Special

A full CompEx course for a practising electrician covers all of these types, but only i, d, e,
and n types will be covered in full detail, simply because these are the most common
protection types in the UK.

Our guide for the electricians CompEx course will therefore only cover these most
common protection types.

Once again we emphasize that our guide is only a good orientation tool for the actual
CompEx course, the scope of which is much wider, with a great deal of important details
not mentioned here. This guide focuses on the absolutely essential, by learning which the
candidate will get a good head start for the actual course, which otherwise could be
surprisingly demanding.

CompEx `d` - Flameproof Enclosure

Ex d type of protection is a type of protection in which the parts that can ignite an
explosive atmosphere are placed in an enclosure that can withstand the explosion
developed within the enclosure, and prevent the transmission of the explosion to the
outside environment.

Area of usage:

- Zone 1 or Category 2 or EPL Gb

- Zone 2 or Category 2 or EPL Gc
- All gas groups.

Gaps in the enclosure

 Since these enclosures are not hermetically sealed, all gaps, cover flanges, cable inlets and
other places where a gas could enter or leave the enclosure are not to exceed these
specified values:
- 0.1 mm with group IIC gases
- 0.15 mm with group IIA or IIB gases.

Threaded joints

The treaded part must be at least 8 mm long, with 6 threads of which 5 threads must be
engaged.

Minimum distances to other objects next to the enclosure

These values will depend on the type of the hazardous gas potentially surrounding the
enclosure:

Group Minimum distance

IIA 10 mm

IIB 30 mm

IIC 40 mm

Glands

All glands used for cable entry to an Ex `d` enclosure have to be Ex `d` or Ex `de` certified. A
barrier gland may be required if one of these is true:
- Cable outside body not round (some old types of cables, usually not in use any more).
- Not a Compact Cable (some old types of cables, usually not in use any more).
- Hygroscopic fillers (some old types of cables, usually not in use any more).
- Group IIC gases.
- Group IIA and IIB gases and enclosure internal volume greater than 2 litres.
 Ex `d` type enclosures are always made of metal, because of that there is no need for
locknuts, serrated washers, IP washers, or shrouds of any type. Blanks used to cover any
unused entry holes must be Ex `d` or Ex `de` certified!

CompEx `e` - Increased Safety

CompEx type of protection `e` is a type of protection in which additional measures are
applied in order to give increased protection against the possibility of excessive
temperatures, and against the possibility of the occurrence of arcs and sparks in normal
conditions or under specified fault conditions.

Areas of usage:

- Zone 1 or Category 2 or EPL Gb

- Zone 2 or Category 2 or EPL GC
- All gas groups.

Ingress protection

CompEx type of protection `e` requires IP54 as a minimum.

Terminations

Type of protection `e` requires the use of certified terminals in every case. The following
rules apply:
- One conductor per terminal.
- Wires must be crimped.
- Soldering is not allowed.
- 50mm separation between `normal` and `IS (intrinsically safe)` terminals.
- All (even unused) terminals must be tight.

Accessories
Accessories Required type
Glands Certified glands only:
• Ex `d`
• Ex `d` barrier
• Ex `de`
• Ex `e`
Blanks Certified blanks only:
• Ex `d`
• Ex `de`
• Ex `e`
IP washer • Clearance entry - required
• Threaded entry less than 6mm thread - required
• Threaded entry more than 6mm thread - not required
Serrated washer Required on painted surfaces
Locknut • Clearance entry - required
• Threaded entry less than 6mm thread - required
• Threaded entry more than 6mm thread - not required
• Plastic enclosures - required
Earth tag Required on plastic enclosures without earth continuity plates

CompEx `n` – Reduced Risk

Electrical equipment within CompEx type of protection `n` is such that in normal operation
and in certain specified fault conditions it is not capable of igniting a surrounding explosive
atmosphere.

Areas of usage:

- Zone 2 or Category 2 or EPL GC

- All gas groups
 Ingress protection

CompEx type of protection `n` requires IP54 as a minimum.

Protection details

CompEx `n` standard is subdivided into several other types of which the following are most
commonly used:
- Ex `n` C
- Ex `n` R
- Ex `n` L

Ex `n` C

Ex `n` C standard is further subdivided in to these categories:

- Hermetically sealed devices - Sparking contacts are enclosed within a hermetically sealed
enclosure.

- Enclosed break devices – Break devices are incorporated within an enclosure that is
capable of withholding an internal explosion (recently replaced by Ex `d` standard).

- Encapsulated devices – Similar to hermetically sealed devices (recently replaced by Ex

`m`).

Ex `n` R`

Ex `n` R standard stands for Restricted Breathing devices. This type of protection is
designed to restrict, but not totally prevent the entry of gases.

Ex `n` R protection is very common with various types of luminaries used in the oil and gas
industry.

Cable entries into restricted breathing enclosures must be fitted with an IP washer.
 Ex `n` L

Ex `n` L stands for Energy Limited Apparatus. This is a type of protection where circuit
components restrict the maximum available energy in a circuit to a level incapable of
causing an explosion.

Accessories

Accessories Required type

Glands Certified glands only:

• Ex `d`
• Ex `d` barrier
• Ex `de`
• Ex `e`
Blanks Certified blanks only:
• Ex `d`
• Ex `de`
• Ex `e`
IP washer • Clearance entry - required
• Threaded entry less than 6mm thread – required
• Threaded entry more than 6mm thread – not required
• Ex `n` R - required
Serrated washer Required on painted surfaces

Locknut • Clearance entry – required

• Threaded entry less than 6mm thread – required
• Threaded entry more than 6mm thread – not required
• Plastic enclosures - required
Earth tag Required on plastic enclosures without earth continuity plates
CompEx `i` - Intrinsic Safety
CompEx type of protection `i` is such that the energy available in the hazardous area is
limited below that which could ignite a flammable gas.

Intrinsically safe equipment is electrical equipment in which all the circuits are intrinsically
safe ones.

Associated equipment is electrical equipment which consists of both intrinsically safe and
non-intrinsically safe circuits. By design and construction the non-intrinsically safe circuits
are limited to non-hazardous areas; the intrinsically safe circuits inside a hazardous area
must not be adversely affected in any way.

Clearances

There are some important values to remember:

- Minimum clearance of 50 mm between the terminals of IS and non-IS circuits.
- Minimum 3 mm clearance to earth terminals.
- Minimum 6 mm clearance between IS circuits terminals.

Glands

Glands on cables containing IS (intrinsically safe) circuits must be appropriate to the EPS of
the equipment containing the IS circuits.

For example if a cable containing IS circuits is entering an Ex `d` type enclosure, then Ex `d`
(or Ex `de`) type gland must be used.

Safety barriers

Safety barrier is the electric equipment installed in non-hazardous area and is designed to
limit the energy available for the intrinsically safe circuits located inside the hazardous
area.
 There are two basic types of safety barriers available: the shunt diode barrier (Zener
barrier) and the galvanically isolated barrier.

Zener Barrier
Zener barriers are devices that contain at least two Zener diodes, a resistor and a fuse, in
order to limit the available energy entering the intrinsically safe circuit inside a hazardous
area. The energy limitation is provided by current and voltage limitation. The Zener diodes
breakdown voltage is not exceeded in normal operation. If this voltage is exceeded due to
a fault in non hazardous area, the diodes start to conduct, causing the fuse to blow, thus
preventing the transfer of unacceptable high energy into the hazardous area.

Zener barriers must have a dedicated earth connection which is called the intrinsically safe
earth. The connection must be done with at least 4 mm2 conductor and should ideally
have less than 0.1 ohm resistance.

Galvanically Isolated Barriers

 Galvanically isolated barriers allow the transference of energy without any directly wired
interconnection.

This is usually achieved with the use of a transformer where the primary coil is connected
to the source located in the safe area, and the secondary coil is providing energy to the
intrinsically safe circuits inside the hazardous area.

Galvanically isolated barrier does not require an earth connection.

Practice Questions for the CompEx Exam

Please note that some of the questions can have multiple answers.

Answers are to be found on the last page.

1. Which of the following is not needed for a fire to take place?

a. Fuel
b. Oxygen
c. An enclosure
d. Spark of sufficient energy
2. Which of the following can ignite a gas atmosphere?
a. Electrical spark
b. Hot surface
c. Battery
d. Intrinsically safe circuit
e. Static electricity
f. Lightning
g. Vehicle
h. Friction

3. The temperature at which a gas ignites spontaneously is called:

a. Ambient temperature
b. Ignition temperature
c. Flash point
d. Thermal temperature

4. Which of the following are commonly adopted?

a. Zone 0, explosive atmosphere for more than 2000 hrs/year
b. Zone 0, explosive atmosphere for more than 1000 hrs/year
c. Zone 2, explosive atmosphere for less than 10 hrs/year
d. Zone 1, explosive atmosphere present between 10 and 1000 hrs/year

5. Which is an example of Group I gas?

a. Methane
b. Propane
c. Ethylene
d. Hydrogen and acetylene

6. The objectives of the ATEX Directive 95 are

a. Removal of technical barriers to trade
b. Incorporation of risk assessments
c. Standardization of 230V ac across Europe
d. Health and safety of workers
7. Concerning ATEX categories, which abbreviation is used for equipment?
a. IEC
b. APL
c. EPL
d. API

8. The term EPL stands for

a. Electrical Protection Level
b. Equipment Protection Level
c. Electrical Protection Load
d. Equipment Pressure Level

9. Ex `n` equipment can be used in

a. Zone 0
b. Zone 0 and Zone 1
c. Zones 0, 1 and 2
d. Zone 2

10. Equipment Protection Level `Gc`/Category 3 equipment can be used in

a. Zone 0
b. Zone 0 and Zone 1
c. Zones 0,1 and 2
d. Zone 2

11. Components which produce sparks, such as contactors and switches, are permited
inside Ex `d` enclosures
a. True
b. False

12. Which Standard deals with the general requirements for the Ex`d` protection concept?
a. IEC 60079-1
b. IEC 60079-3
c. IEC 60079-14
d. IEC 60079-17

13. Flameproof equipments is so named because

a. An internal explosion is not permitted
b. An internal explosion is permitted
c. An external explosion is permitted
d. The enclosure is resistant to gas entering the enclosure

14. Ex `d` equipment can be used in

a. Zone 0
b. Zone 1 and 2
c. Zone 2 only
d. Zone 0 and 1

15. A switch is located in a flameproof enclosure less than 2 litres in volume in a IIC
environment. The enclosure requires
a. Industrial glands
b. Ex `e` glands
c. Ex `d` Barrier glands
d. An indirect entry Ex `e` chamber fitted with stuffing glands

16. Increased safety Ex `e` apparatus is designed to contain an internal explosion

a. True
b. False
c. True, providing barrier glands are used
d. True, providing the IP rating is at least IP54

17. In general, Ex `e` equipment can be installed in

a. Zone 0
b. Zone 1 and 2
c. Zone 0, 1 and 2
d. Zone 2 only

18. Ex `e` equipment can be installed in are requiring

a. Equipment to EPL `Ga` and `Gb`
b. Equipment to EPL `Ga`, `Gb`, and `Gc`
c. Equipment to EPL `Ga` or Category 1
d. Equipment to EPL `Gb` and `Gc`

19. Ex `e` equipment must have an IP rating of

a. IP 54
b. At least IP 54, but location conditions may require a higher value
c. IP 44
d. At least IP 44, but location conditions may require a higher value

20. Locknuts on an Ex `e` equipment are

a. Always required
b. Never required
c. Required on clearance holes
d. Required on 10mm thick threaded entries

21. In general, Ex `n` equipment can be installed in

a. Zone 0
b. Zone 1
c. Zone 2
d. Clear areas

22. Ex `n` equipment can be designed for

a. Group II
b. Group IIA and IIB
c. Group IIA only
d. Group IIB only
23. Which is not a recognised Ex `n` method of protection
a. Type A Non-sparking
b. Type d Flameproof
c. Type L Energy limited
d. Type R Restricted breathing
e. Type C Sparking with hermetically sealed, enclosed break or encapsulated

24. When terminating a cable into an 8 mm thick type `n` metal enclosure with a threaded
entry, which of the following is required?
a. Locknut
b. Star washer
c. IP washer
d. None of these

25. For Ex `n` restricted breathing, which one of the following must always be provided?
a. IP washer
b. L:ocknut
c. Earth tag
d. Threaded entry

26. Ex `ia` equipment can be installed in

a. Zone 0
b. Zone 1
c. Zone 2
d . Clear area

27. Galvanic isolators require

a. An intrinsically safe earth connection
b. At least two Zener diodes
c. A device providing electrical separation such as a transformer, relay or opto-coupler
d. At least three Zener diodes
 28. Which of the following does not require an intrinsically safe dedicated earth?
a. Zener barrier with two Zener diodes
b. Galvanically isolated barrier
c. Zener barrier with three Zener diodes
d. Zener barrier supplying simple apparatus

29. What is the minimum distance between terminals for intrinsically safe circuits and
terminals of non-intrinsically safe circuits?
a. 100 mm
b. 50 mm
c. 6 mm
d. 3 mm 30.

What is the minimum clearance to earth (intrinsically safe circuits)?

a. 100 mm
b. 50 mm
c. 6 mm
d. 3 mm

Practice Questions for the CompEx Exam

Answers:

1. c
2. a,b,c,e,f,g,h
3. b
4. b,c,d
5. a
6. a
7. c
8. b
9. d
10. d
11. a
12. a
13. b
14. b
15. c
16. b
17. b
18. d
19. b
20. c
21. c,d
22. a
23. b
24. d
25. a
26. a,b,c,d
27. c
28. b
29. b
30. d