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Guide For Hazardous Areas

Protection concepts IECEx and ATEX

The table below lists the types of protection methods and basic concepts of protection
according to ATEX and IECEx standards for electrical equipment that is to be operated or
installed in hazardous areas. The matrix is constructed to enable the fast cross referencing
of protection concepts for zones and related equipment protection levels.

For definitions of hazardous zones, please see the E2S guide to hazardous areas as
defined by IECEx, ATEX, NEC and CEC standards and directives.

A similar matrix of protection concepts can also be found for the US and Canadian
standards here.

Electrical equipment for flammable gases and dust

Basic Suitable
Typical

Type of for Zones EPL

EN / IEC
Symbol concept of
protection Standard
protection 0 1 2 20 21 22 Ga Gb Gc Da Db Dc

No arcs,
Increased
e sparks or hot • • • 60079-7
safety
surfaces,
enclosure
Type ‘n’ (non-
IP54 or • •
sparking)
better
Containment
Type ‘n’
of the • •
(closed-break)
explosion
n Type ‘n’ 60079-15
(sealed and
Keep the • •
hermetically
 sealed) flammable
substances
Type ‘n’ out
(restriced • •
breathing)
Containment
d Flameproof of the • • • 60079-1
explosion
q Powder filled Quenching of • • • 60079-5
the flame
ia Limitation of • • • • • • • •
Intrinsic spark energy
ib • • • • • • 60079-11
safety and surface
ic temperatures • • • •

px • • •
Pressurised
py • • • 60079-2
enclosure
pz Keep the • •
flammable
ma • • • • • • • •
substances
mb Encapsulation out • • • • • • 60079-18
mc • • •
o Oil immersion • • • 60079-6
Op pr Inherently • • •
Optical safe,
Op sh • • • • 60079-28
radiation protected by
Op is shutdown • • • •

ta • • • •
Dust ignition
Dust-tight
tb protection by • • • 60079-31
enclosure
enclosure
tc • •
Keep the • • •
Pressurised flammable
pd 61241-4
enclosure substances
• •
out

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