How does explosion proof lighting Work

Do you need explosion proof lighting at work?

For a business that operates in hazardous environments, equipment and employees consistently experience the threat of potential explosions occurring if safety precaution implementation is inaccurate. For this reason, lighting is an integral part of any business, and understanding how Ex-proof lighting will work in hazardous environments is crucial. Additionally, for any company that operates in hazardous areas, it&#;s imperative to use Explosion-Proof lighting. By utilizing Ex-Proof lighting, you lower the risk of explosion because caused by dangerous gases like Propane and Methane. 

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You&#;ll find that several sectors such as oil refineries, chemical plants, food processing industries, and mines utilize Ex-Proof lighting. And, Standard lighting falls short of overcoming the unique challenges when operating in hazardous areas.

Explosion-Proof Lighting Defined

The designation &#;explosion proof&#; doesn&#;t mean that the lighting fixture will survive explosions or fires fully intact. Instead, it means the light&#;s design contains sparks that would otherwise cause fire or explosion in confined spaces.

The lighting fixture encases inside a thick frame with extremely robust lenses. Additionally, the case creates a blockage between sparks and other ignition sources like flammable dust, fibers, or vapors that might exist in the environment upon the installed light fixture. Thicker lenses and frames with complex blockages contribute to a more durable and stronger lighting fixture.

Due to the robust design of , the risk of explosions and ignitions occurring are extremely low. As a result, the lighting significantly improves the safety of employees working in hazardous locations as well.

The Benefits

The primary benefit of using Explosion-Proof LED lights over traditional lighting is the energy-efficiency. Specifically, Explosion-Proof LED lights typically consume 90 percent less energy than standard fixtures. The durability of these lights means that they&#;ll continue to work at their original level of illumination for about 50,000 hours. In some cases, they even last 100,000 hours despite continuous use. Durability and better efficiency reduce maintenance and operating costs.

Installing Explosion-Proof lighting reduces explosive risks by preventing the ignition of flammable gases and vapors in enclosed environments. More importantly, the National Electric Code or the NEC, published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), mandates all lighting equipment used in hazardous locations to be explosion-proof.

Classifications

Below are Explosion-Proof classifications specifying the environmental and safety hazard requirements.

Class I, Division 1 area encompasses the combination of Zone 0 and Zone 1 areas.

Zone 0 locations of high concentrations of combustible gases, vapors, dust, or liquids always present for long periods during operations.

Zone 1 locations might have combustible gases, vapors, dust, or liquids present at any time during normal operations.

Class I, Division 2, or Zone 2 are locations that do not have combustible by-products during normal operations. However, concentrations might be present under abnormal conditions, such as sudden leaks. As a general guide, those abnormal conditions should not exceed 10 hours a year.

Non-hazardous or Unclassified locations are classified as neither Class I, Division 1 or Division 2, Zone 0, Zone 1 or Zone 2, or any combination. For instance, aerosol sprays used in commercial or residential areas might have flammable gases, but they are still considered low risk to cause an explosion.

To learn more about How an explosion proof lighting works or any other Intrinsically Safe, Explosion Proof or Hazardous Area products, Please visit our Lighting section Here or please contact our experts at: www.IntrinsicallySafestore.com or call us on 832-699-

Explosion Proof Lighting Requirements

Environments containing explosive materials, flammable gasses, vapors or dust require the shielding of any possible ignition source in order to maintain a safe workplace. As these environments are almost always indoors, they require artificial illumination in order to ensure proper visibility and safety for personnel. The light fixtures used for this must meet a number of different requirements, including being specifically designed and certified being explosion proof per the UL 844 Standard.

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UL 844 Standard certified explosion proof lighting is unique when compared to traditional fixtures in the way in which it is constructed. Unlike most light fixtures which have unshielded electronics, and enclosures that are open to air, explosion proof fixtures are specifically designed to shield and separate electronics and electrical components from the outside environment. They also must be impact and shock resistant in the event of an accident in order to prevent exposing their electronics to the outside atmosphere.

Our specialized explosion proof lighting is designed to meet all NEMA requirements for hazardous environments. They feature sealed impact resistant non-conductive aluminum housings and can be mounted in a variety of different manners to work in different environments. With heavy duty lenses and thoroughly shielded electronics, they are ideal for any hazardous environment that requires serious lumen output.

Classes and Divisions for Hazardous Area Lighting

Class I, Division 1 &#; Class I Division 1 lights are necessary in areas where concentrations of vapors, liquids, or gasses such as gasoline exist within the environment under typical operating conditions.

Class I, Division 2 &#; Class I Division 2 lights are necessary in areas where concentrations of vapors, liquids, or gasses such as gasoline exist within the environment under atypical operating conditions.

Class II, Division 1 &#; Class II Division 1 lights are necessary in areas where combustible dust such as coal exists within the environment under typical operating conditions.

Class II, Division 2 &#; Class II Division 2 lights are necessary in areas where combustible dust such as coal exists within the environment under atypical operating conditions.

Class III, Division 1 &#; Class III Division 1 lights are necessary in areas where ignitable fibers or combustible flyings such as sawdust exist within the environment under typical operating conditions.

Class III, Division 2 &#; Class III Division 2 lights are necessary in areas where ignitable fibers or combustible flyings such as sawdust exist within the environment under atypical operating conditions.

Explosion Proof Lighting Groups

Explosion-proof lighting fixtures are classified into various letter groupings to identify the types of hazardous materials they are designed to safely operate around. These letter groupings, usually ranging from Group A to Group G, are part of a classification system that denotes which types of gases, vapors, and dusts the lighting fixture can be safely used with.

• Group A: Acetylene
• Group B: Hydrogen, butadiene, ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, acrolein
• Group C: Ethylene, carbon monoxide
• Group D: Propane, gasoline, naphtha, benzene, butane, ethyl alcohol, acetone, methane
• Group E: Metal dust including aluminum, magnesium
• Group F: Carbonaceous dust including coal, carbon black, coke
• Group G: Grain, flour, wood, plastic, and chemical dust

Understanding these letter groupings is essential for ensuring the safe operation of lighting fixtures in hazardous environments. Always consult with an expert or refer to the specific guidelines and standards, such as those provided by organizations like the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) or Underwriters Laboratories (UL), when selecting explosion-proof lighting.

Explosion Proof Lighting Standards

Standards are typically set by organizations such as the National Electrical Code (NEC) in the United States, or the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization (CENELEC) in Europe, and others depending on the region. Other organizations that set explosion proof lighting standards include,

• National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA): NEMA is a U.S.-based organization that sets standards for various types of electrical equipment, including explosion-proof lighting.
• Underwriters Laboratories (UL): UL is a global safety certification company that sets standards and provides testing for a wide range of products, including explosion-proof lighting. In the U.S., UL Standard 844 covers luminaires for use in hazardous locations.
• International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC): The IEC is an international standards organization that prepares and publishes standards for electrical, electronic, and related technologies. Their standards, including the IECEx system, cover explosion-proof equipment.
• ATEX Directive (European Union): The ATEX Directive sets forth requirements for equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres in the European Union.
• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA): The NFPA publishes the National Electrical Code (NEC), which includes guidelines for installing electrical equipment in hazardous locations in the U.S.
• Canadian Standards Association (CSA): In Canada, the CSA sets the standards for explosion-proof lighting.

Each of these organizations has their own set of regulations, codes, and certifications for explosion-proof lighting to ensure safety in hazardous environments. Depending on the specific location and application, different standards may apply.