An International Comparison Guide for the Oil & Gas Industry

Explosion Protection
Essential Requirements
1.0 Hazardous-Area Classication
Hazardous locations are dened as areas where re or explosion hazards may exist due to the presence of ammable gases or vapours, liquids or dusts. Worldwide, differing Ex standards use Hazardous area classications to classify environments dependant on the frequency and persistence of a potentially explosive atmosphere occurring. Hazardous area classication should be carried out as an integral part of the risk assessment to identify areas where control over ignition sources is needed.
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ExplosionProtection
EUROPE
(Atmosphere Explosive)
1.2 European Classication (CENELEC)
Within Europe, the ATEX directives are imposed as a minimum requirement for Ex legislation. ATEX 1999/92/EC enforces hazardous area classication of work places into zones depending on the frequency and time that an explosive atmosphere is present.

USA & CANADA

(National Electrical Code / Canadian Electrical Code)
1.1 North American Classication
North American Ex standards in both the US and Canada follow two different approaches; the traditional Class, Division method under NEC 500 (US) / CEC Annex J (Canada) and the new, International Zoning System under NEC 505 (US) / CEC Section 18 (Canada).

NEC / CEC

ATEX

AUSTRALIA
AS/NZS
1.3 Australian Classication (IEC)
Australia has also implemented the IECs International Zoning System. For further information on the Australian IEC hazardous classication system, see: AS/NZS60079.10 (NB. This standard has replaced the formally, AS2430.1)
Flammable Atmosphere Present Continuously Flammable Atmosphere is likely to occur in normal operation Flammable Atmosphere is not likely to occur in normal operation

WORLDWIDE
(International Electrotechnical Commission)
1.4 IEC Classication (NEC 505, CEC Section 18)
The IECs International Zoning System has become increasingly accepted worldwide. Although the IECs system aims to create a standardised approach to Explosion Protection, users and manufactures should be aware that many nations such as the US have incorporated a number of countryspecic deviations in order to comply to current wiring methods under the NEC.
Flammable Atmosphere Present Continuously Flammable Atmosphere is likely to occur in normal operation Flammable Atmosphere is not likely to occur in normal operation

IECEx

Flammable Atmosphere Present Continuously

Flammable Atmosphere is likely to occur in normal operation

Flammable Atmosphere is not likely to occur in normal operation

NEC 505 NEC 500

ZONE 0 *DIVISION 1 ZONE 0 *DIVISION 1

ZONE 1 *DIVISION 1 ZONE 1 *DIVISION 1

ZONE 2 *DIVISION 2 ZONE 2 *DIVISION 2

Flammable Atmosphere Present Continuously

Flammable Atmosphere is likely to occur in normal operation

Flammable Atmosphere is not likely to occur in normal operation

ATEX 1999/92/EC

ZONE 0

ZONE 1

ZONE 2

Australia

ZONE 0

ZONE 1

ZONE 2

IEC

ZONE 0

ZONE 1

ZONE 2

CEC Section 18 CEC Annex J

Special precautions need to be taken in hazardous areas to prevent equipment becoming a source of ignition. For more information, visit www.pyroban.com/information-faq.html

For further information on IEC hazardous classications, see: For more information, visit www.pyroban.com/aus IEC 60079-10 - Electrical Apparatus for Explosive Atmospheres, Classication of Hazardous Areas.

* The Division classications stated above are in accordance to Class 1 areas.

2.0 Explosion Groups

2.1 North American Explosion Groups (NEC 500 / CEC Annex J)

The NEC & CEC Division systems use Classes and Groups to identify a hazard. The systems refer to Class I environments, where gases & vapours represent an explosive atmosphere, most commonly present in the oil and gas industry. Groups further dene the type of hazard in a Class I location:
Group A hazards represent gases with extremely high explosion pressures while Group D represent gases with lower explosion pressures.

2.2 European Explosion Groups (CENELEC)

In comparison to the traditional North American standards, ATEX classies atmospheres containing ammable gases / vapours as Group II hazardous areas. These groups are dened under EN60079
Group IIA gases represent gases most difcult to ignite while Group IIC represents gases easiest to ignite

2.3 Australian Explosion Groups

Australia has adopted the IEC methods of classifying explosion groups. Hazardous areas with gas or vapours present designated Group II locations and the gases which make up atmosphere are sub-categorised under the IECs three groups, A, B and C. Group Type Group A Group B Group C Atmospheres containing... Acetone, Methane & similar gases Acetaldehyde, Ethylene & similar gases Acetylene, Hydrogen, & similar gases are the

2.4 IEC Explosion Groups (NEC 505, CEC Sec. 18)

The IECs apparatus grouping system has been adopted by the ATEX directives in Europe and throughout the world, including the US (NEC 505) Canada (CEC Sec. 18) and Australia. The groups below, assigned to gases and vapours are categorised as Group II locations, as used in Europe. Atmospheres containing... Acetone, Methane & similar gases Acetaldehyde, Ethylene & similar gases Acetylene, Hydrogen, & similar gases
Group IIA gases are similar to the NEC Group D gases. Group IIB are similar to NEC Group C while IEC Group IIC gases are similar to NEC group A & B.

Explosion groups are designated to classied hazardous areas to identify the ignition related properties of an explosive atmosphere. Worldwide, there are a number of different systems in place. The traditional North American Class, Division system uses a different system to that used under ATEX in Europe and by the IEC, altering the way in which equipment manufactures build and mark certied Ex equipment.
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Group Type Group A Group B Group C Group D

Atmospheres containing... Acetylene & similar gases Hydrogen & similar gases Ethylene, & similar gases Propane & similar gases

Group Type Atmospheres containing... Group A Acetone, Methane & similar gases Acetaldehyde, Ethylene & similar gases Group B Group C Acetylene, Hydrogen, & similar gases

For more information on the Australian IECs gas grouping system, see: AS/NZS2430.3.4

Group Type Group A Group B Group C

3.0 Temperature Classications

3.1 North American Temperature Classication (NEC 500 / CEC Annex J)

The traditional North American Class, Division system uses a unique temperature classication system to that adopted under the IEC. Maximum Surface Temp. 450 C (842F) 300 C (572F) 280 C (536F) 260 C (500F) 230 C (446F) 215 C (419F) 200 C (392F) T Class T1 T2 T2A T2B T2C T2D T3 Maximum Surface Temp. 180 C (365F) 165 C (329F) 160 C (320F) 135 C (275F) 120 C (248F) 100 C (212F) 85 C (185F) T Class T3A T3B T3C T4 T4A T5 T6

3.2 European Temperature Classication (CENELEC)

ATEX has adopted the IECs methods of temperature classication, appointing a more generalised classication to a range of temperatures rather than the North American approach, using a number of further T-Classes. Maximum Surface Temp. C F 450 C 842 F 300 C 572 F 200 C 392 F 135 C 275 F 100 C 212 F 85 C 185 F T Class T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6

3.3 Australian Temperature Classications

Australia has also adopted the IEC methods of temperature classication.

3.4 IEC Temperature Classication

The IECs new international approach has been adopted by many nations and Ex standards. For more information on IEC temperature classication, see: IEC 60079-20 Maximum Surface Temp. C F 450 C 842 F 300 C 572 F 200 C 392 F 135 C 275 F 100 C 212 F 85 C 185 F T Class T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6

Temperature classes are assigned to indicate the safe working limit of the gases and vapours that could be present in a hazardous area. Equipment and apparatus working in a hazardous area must be designed / modied to the assigned TClass to ensure surface temperatures do not exceed the ignition temperature of hazardous gases and vapours. Different country-specic Ex standards have appointed different temperature classication systems so it important to ensure your Ex equipment is modied to the correct level of protection.
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Maximum Surface Temp. C F 450 C 842 F 300 C 572 F 200 C 392 F 135 C 275 F 100 C 212 F 85 C 185 F

T Class T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6

4.0 Equipment Marking / Certication

4.1 North American Equipment Marking (NEC 500 / CEC Annex J)

NEC 500 / CEC Annex J Equipment Marking: Ex Standard NEC 500 / CEC Annex J Typical Example of Equipment Marking CLASS 1, DIVISION 1, GROUPS A, B, C, D, T5

4.2 European Equipment Marking (CENELEC)

ATEX Equipment Marking: Ex Standard ATEX 94/9/EC Typical Example of Equipment Marking , II, 2G, Ex, de, IIC, T5

4.3 Australian Equipment Marking

Electrical equipment used in a hazardous area must be certied to the IEC or Australian standards via an acceptable certication scheme. Acceptable schemes include IECEx, ANZEx and AUSEx. Other equipment (e.g. ATEX, FM, UL) can usually be used if the legal owner justies and accepts their use and an assessment is made as to the equivalence in safety of the equipment compared to IECEx / ANZEx or AUSEx equipment Ex Standard AS/NZS2381 AS/NZS2381: Typical Example of Equipment Marking Ex, de, IIC, T5

4.4 IEC Equipment Marking (IEC, NEC 505, CEC Sec. 18)
IEC Equipment Marking: Ex Standard IEC & CEC Sec. 18 NEC 505 IEC & CEC Sec. 18:
(Ex = Explosion-Protected, d = Type of Protection, [ia] = I.S Output, II = Group, C = Gas Group, T5 = Temperature Class

Explosion Proof equipment should be supplied with certied documentation and be clearly marked, displaying the measures the equipment has undergone to operate in classied hazardous areas. Throughout the world, differing country-specic standards impose different equipment marking methods, so it is important to understand how they compare.

Typical Example of Equipment Marking Ex, d, [ia], IIC, T5 Class I, Zone 1, AEx, d, [ia], IIC, T5 NEC 505:
(Class I = Permitted Class, Zone 1 = Permitted Zone, AEx = American National Standard, d = Type of Protection, [ia] = I.S Output, II = Group, C = Gas Group, T5 = Temperature Class

(Class 1 = Hazard Class, Division 1 = Area Classication, Groups A, B, C, D = Permitted gas groups, T5 = Equipment Temperature Class)

NEC 500 / CEC Annex J

ATEX 94/9/EC

( = CE Conformity Marking, = EU Explosion-Protection Marking, II = Equipment Groups [I = for mines, II = for other than mines], [2 = Equipment Category, G = Type of Ex Atmosphere; G (Gas), D (Dust)], Ex = Explosion Protected according to CENELEC standards, de = Protection Method, [II = Apparatus Group, C = Gas Group], T5 = Temperature Class

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Ex = Explosion-Protected, de = Protection technique, II = Apparatus Group, C = Gas Group, T5 = Temperature Class

5.0 Protection Concepts, Methods & Standards

Protection Method Flameproof Intrinsic Safety Intrinsic Safety Pressurisation Increased Safety Oil Immersion Encapsulation Type n Protection * Ventilation
* Only recognised in Australia

5.1 Equipment Certied for Use

CSA (IEC) CSA E60079-1 CSA E60079-11 CSA E60079-11 CSA E60079-2 CSA E60079-7 CSA E60079-6 CSA E60079-18 CSA E60079-15 -------CSA (Annex J) CSA C22.2 No. 30 CSA C22.2 No. 157 CSA C22.2 No. 157 CSA TIL. E13 A ---------------------CSA C22.2 No. 213 -------NEC 505 ISA 60079-1 ISA 60079-11 ISA 60079-11 ISA 60079-2 ISA 60079-7 ISA 60079-6 ISA 60079-18 ISA 60079-15 -------NEC 500 FM 3618 FM3610 FM3610 FM 3620 FM 3619 FM 3621 FM 3614 -------------AS/NZS AS/NZS60079-1 / AS2380.2 AS/NZS60079-11 / AS2380.7 AS/NZS60079-11 / AS2380.7 AS/NZS60079-2 / AS2380.4 AS/NZS60079-7 / AS2380.6 AS/NZS60079-6 AS/NZS60079-18 AS/NZS60079-15 AS 1482 Type of Protection Explosion is Contained Sparks are not ignition capable (Safe 2 faults) Sparks are not ignition capable (Safe 1 faults) Flammable atmosphere is eliminated Source of ignition eliminated Flammable atmosphere is eliminated Flammable atmosphere is eliminated n Protection includes several methods of ignition protection Flammable atmosphere eliminated Mode of Function Enclosure contains internal explosion I.S. circuits are unable to cause ignition I.S. circuits are unable to cause ignition Protection by over pressured enclosure Electric sparks & high temp. possibilities eliminated Protection by Immersion Encapsulated apparatus Non-Sparking apparatus Protection by Ventilation NEC 500 / CEC Annex J Permitted Division Division 2 Division 1 or 2 Division 2 Division 1 or 2 Division 2 Division 1 or 2 Division 2 Division 2 -------IEC / CENELEC Permitted Zone Zone 1 or 2 Zone 0, 1 or 2 Zone 1 or 2 Zone 1 or 2 Zone 1 or 2 Zone 1 or 2 Zone 1 or 2 Zone 2 ----Equipment Certied for Use Equipment Certied for use in: NEC 500 Class 1, Div. 1 NEC 500 Class 1, Div 2 NEC 505 Class 1, Zone 1 NEC 505 Class 1, Zone 2 NEC AEx NEC AEx NEC AEx IEC Zone 1 IEC Zone 2 IEC Ex Use Appropriately OK for use in NEC 505 Class 1, Zone 1 & 2 OK for use in NEC 505 Class 1, Zone 2 NOT OK for use in NEC 500 Class 1, Div. 1 OK for use in NEC 500 Class 1, Div. 2 OK for use in NEC Zone 0, 1 2 as marked Not suitable for NEC 500 Class 1, Div. 1 Not suitable for NEC 500 Class 1, Div. 2 Not suitable for any NEC 500 areas Not suitable for any NEC 500 areas Not suitable for any NEC / CEC areas

Id. Letter d ia ib p e o m n v

IEC IEC 60079-1 IEC 60079-11 IEC 60079-11 IEC 60079-2 IEC 60079-7 IEC 60079-6 IEC 60079-18 IEC 60079-15 --------

CENELEC EN 60079-1 EN 60079-11 EN 60079-11 EN 60079-2 EN 60079-7 EN 60079-6 EN 60079-18 EN 60079-15 --------

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NB: The information in this wall chart is for guidance only. For detailed information see the relevant Directives, Regulations and Standards or contact us at info@pyroban.com