Hazardous Area Classification and Equipment Protection as per IEC-60079

Electrical and electronic equipment such as motors, generators, transformers, circuit breakers, fuses, switches, relays, solenoids and resistors produce significant amounts of heat, arcing and sparking during normal and abnormal operation, which could pose a substantial risk of fire or explosion in facilities where chemicals are manufactured, processed or utilized. To minimize the risk of fires or explosions that could result from this arcing, sparking and heat dissipation, it is critically important that electrical/ electronic equipment be designed, tested and labeled as being acceptable for use in the areas in which they are installed. This holds especially true for hazardous (classified) locations, i.e. locations where flammable, combustible or ignitable gases, vapors, liquids, dust, fibers or flyings may be present.

Hazardous area classification is the evaluation and classification of hazardous (classified) locations using scientific and engineering principles, within facilities where chemicals are manufactured, processed or utilized. Hazardous areas are classified solely for the purpose of ensuring the safe and proper specification and installation of electrical/ electronic equipment located within them. In this masterclass, the Hazardous Area Classification is studied from point of view of various standards like IEC, NPFA, CENELEC etc.

A hazardous area classification is typically shown on plan view drawings of the facility (and sometimes on elevation drawings) that are commonly referred to as area classification drawings/diagrams. Based upon the area classification drawings, electrical/ electronic equipment can be properly specified and installed such that the risk of fires or explosions is greatly reduced. This course shows how to read these diagrams in a very easy way so that an absolute beginner is also able to understand.

This course mainly follows IEC 60079 standards and following protection techniques are covered:

•IEC/EN 60079-0 - General Requirements

•IEC/EN 60079-1 - Flameproof Enclosure 'd'

•IEC/EN 60079-2 - Pressurization 'p'

•IEC/EN 60079-5 - Powder Filling 'q'

•IEC/EN 60079-6 - Oil Immersion 'o'

•IEC/EN 60079-7 - Increased Safety 'e'

•IEC/EN 60079-11 -Intrinsic Safety 'i'

•IEC/EN 60079-15 -Electrical Apparatus type 'n'

•IEC/EN 60079-18 -Encapsulation 'm'

This course will definitely help persons working in different domains in following way:

1. Operation Engineer: Knows the significance and extent of Hazardous Area.

2. Maintenance Engineer: Which type of equipment to be procured? How to do maintenance?

3. Safety & PSM: Increase overall know how and will help in Audit and PHA.

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