16 KO P E X- E X F L E X I B L E C O N D U I T S Y S T E M S , C A B L E G L A N D S & A C C E S S O R I E S F O R H A Z A R D O U S A R E A S

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Standards, zone definitions & product markings
DTS - Product marking guide

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Classifications of hazardous areas

ATEX
Classifications of hazardous areas Descriptions Group Category EPL Equipment usage
Mining Energised Persistant risk of methane gas I Ɓ' Ma –
De-energised and other dusts I Ɓ( Mb –
Gas environments ƎƝƜƓ& Persistant and continuous presence of II 'Ż Ga ATEX Equipment Category 'Ż,
gas for frequent or long periods Equipment Protection Level Ga
ƎƝƜƓ' Likely occurence of gas presence II (Ż Gb ATEX Equipment Category (ŻƝƠƖƗƕƖƓƠ,
in normal operation Equipment Protection Level Gb or higher
ƎƝƜƓ( Unlikely occurence of gas presence in normal II )Ż Gc ATEX Equipment Category )Ż,
operation, short term persistence if any Equipment Protection Level Gc or higher
Dust environments ƎƝƜƓ(& Persistant and continuous presence of II 'Ÿ Da ATEX Equipment Category 'Ÿ,
dust for frequent or long periods Equipment Protection Level Da
ƎƝƜƓ(' Likely occurence of dust presence II (Ÿ Db ATEX Equipment Category (ŸƝƠƖƗƕƖƓƠ,
in normal operation Equipment Protection Level Db or higher
ƎƝƜƓ(( Unlikely occurence of dust presence in normal II )Ÿ Dc ATEX Equipment Category )ŸƝƠƖƗƕƖƓƠ,
operation, short term persistence if any Equipment Protection Level Dc or higher

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Gas & dust groups Temperature classification

Group Typical Examples Class* Surface temperature

Mining I Methane (Mining only) ƈ' *+&ǫC
Gases IIA Propane Ammonia, Methane ƈ( )&&ǫC
ŻƏơƝƚƗƜƓŶƣƢƏƜƓ ƈ) (&&ǫC
IIB Ethylene Town gas, ƈ* ')+ǫC
Acrylonitril ƈ+ '&&ǫC
ŽŽŶÅż( Ethylene Town gas, ƈ, .+ǫC
Acrylonitril
* Temperature classification is based on the
maximum surface temperature of the equipment
IIC Hydrogen, Carbon disulphide
in normal use.
Acetylene

Dust environments IIIA Combustable flyings Wood shaving

IIIB Non-conductive dust Saw dust, flour

IIIC Conductive dust Metal dust

 S TA N D A R D S , ZO N E D E F I N I T I O N S & P R O D U C T M A R K I N G S 17

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Protection concepts

Protection concepts Primary Type of protection EN/IEC Standard Sub concept Gas zones Dust zones
By enclosure Ex d Flameproof ,&&-/ţ' Ex db ' –
Ex dc (
Ex t Dust proof ,&&-/ţ)' Ex ta – (&
Ex tb ('
Ex tc ((
By exclusion Ex p Pressurisation ,&&-/ţ( Ex pxb ' ('Ũ((
Ex pyb '
Ex pzc (
Ex m Encapsulation ,&&-/ţ'. Ex ma & (&
Ex mb ' ('
Ex mc ( ((
Ex o Oil immersion ,&&-/ţ, Ex ob ' –
Ex q Powder filling ,&&-/ţ+ Ex qb ' –
By equipment Ex i Intrinsically safe ,&&-/ţ'' Ex ia & (&
Ex ib ' ('
Ex ic ( ((
Ex op Optical radiation ,&&-/ţ(. Ex op is &Ũ'Ũ( (&Ũ('Ũ((
Ex op pr 'Ũ( ('Ũ((
Ex op sh &Ũ'Ũ( (&Ũ('Ũ((
Ex e Increased safety ,&&-/ţ- Ex eb ' –
Ex ec (
Ex n Non sparking ,&&-/ţ'+ Ex nA ( –
Limited energy Ex nL
Restricted breathing Ex nR
Enclosed breaking Ex nC
18 KO P E X- E X F L E X I B L E C O N D U I T S Y S T E M S , C A B L E G L A N D S & A C C E S S O R I E S F O R H A Z A R D O U S A R E A S

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Standards, zone definitions & product markings
Index of ingress protection

IP suitability ratings are a system for classifying the degree of protection

provided by enclosures of electrical equipment.

Protection against Solid Bodies Protection against Water

Degree of protection for persons against Degree of protection of equipment
access to hazardous parts inside the inside enclosures against damage
enclosure and/or against the ingress of from the ingress of water.
solid foreign objects.

No protection No protection

Objects greater than 50 mm, Protected against vertically falling

accidental touch by hands drops of water

Objects greater than 12 mm, Protected against direct sprays of

accidental touch by fingers water 15° from vertical

Objects greater than 2.5 mm, Protected against sprays of water to

e.g. tools/wires 60° from vertical

Protected against water sprayed

Objects greater than 1 mm,
from all directions - limited
e.g. tools/wires/small wires
ingress permitted

Protected against low pressure jets of

Protected against dust - limited
water from all directions - limited
ingress (no harmful deposits)
ingress permitted

Protected against strong pressure

Totally protected against dust jets of water, heavy seas - limited
(Dust-tight) ingress permitted

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Protection against the effects of
IP Ratings immersion between 15cm - 1 m
The higher the number, the greater the degree of protection;
they apply ONLY to properly installed equipment.

Protection against long periods of

The second digit immersion under a quoted pressure,
stands for protection e.g. 2 bar at 24 hours
against Water
IP69 Automotive standard DIN40050
and signifies resistance to high
IP 6 8 pressure jets of water (up to 80bar)
from any angle

The first digit

stands for protection
against Dust