Classifications for Electrical Apparatus in Gas Atmospheres, Major Gas Groups and Hazardous Areas
Electrical Equipment Classifications in Gas Atmospheres (ATEX Group II)
| Protection Type | CENELEC EN / IEC Standard * |
Code | IEC Zone / ATEX Category |
Description | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Requirements | 60079-0 | 0/1 | 1/2 | 2/3 | General requirements for equipment intended for use in hazardous environments | |
| Flameproof | 60079-1 | d | 1/2 | 2/3 | Protection by prevention of propagation of internal explosion | |
| Pressurised | 60079-2 | p | 1/2 | 2/3 | Protection by gas exclusion using a pressurised enclosure | |
| Powder Filled | 60079-5 | q | 1/2 | 2/3 | Protection by extinguishing of flames | |
| Oil Immersion | 60079-6 | o | 1/2 | 2/3 | Protection by gas exclusion using an oil filled enclosure | |
| Increased Safety | 60079-7 | e | 1/2 | 2/3 | Protection by prevention of electrical ignition | |
| Intrinsic Safety | 60079-11 | ia | 0/1 | 1/2 | 2/3 | Protection by limiting energy of sparks and surface temperatures; safe with two faults |
| Intrinsic Safety | 60079-11 | ib | 1/2 | 2/3 | Protection by limiting energy of sparks and surface temperatures; safe with two faults | |
| Intrinsic Safety | 60079-11 | ic | 2/3 | Protection by limiting energy of sparks and surface temperatures; safe in normal operation | ||
| Type 'n' - Non Sparking | 60079-15 | nA | 2/3 | Protection by prevention of electrical ignition | ||
| Encapsulated | 60079-18 | m | 0/1 | 1/2 | 2/3 | Protection by encapsulation of sparking components |
Major Gas Groups
| Gas | Minimum Ignition Energy (Microjoules) |
IEC 60079-0, CENELEC, EN50014 |
North America, NEC Article 500, (Class 1) * |
|---|---|---|---|
| Propane | 180 | IIA | D |
| Ethylene | 60 | IIB | C |
| Hydrogen | 20 | IIC | B |
| Acetylene | 20 | IIC | A |