Technical Information on IP, NEMA and ATEX Ratings

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Section Navigation IP & NEMA Ratings :: ATEX - Protection Concepts & Standards ATEX Gas & Device Grouping :: ATEX - Substance & Apparatus Info IP (Ingress Protection) & NEMA Protection Rating Information
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An IP number contains two numbers (i.e. IP65) in most instances which relate to the level of protection provided by an enclosure or housing. The first number relates to protection from solids as follows: 0: No Special Protection 1: Protected against solid 2: Protected against solid 3: Protected against solid 4: Protected against solid 5: Dust protected 6: Dust tight
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50 mm in diameter 12 mm in diameter 2.5 mm in diameter 1 mm in diameter

The second number relates to protection from liquids as follows: 0: No special protection 1: Protected against dripping water 2: Protected position 3: Protected 4: Protected 5: Protected 6: Protected 7: Protected 8: Protected against dripping water when tilted up to 15 o from normal against against against against against against spraying water splashing water water jet spray heavy jet spray the effects of immersion submersion

Example: IP66 = Dust tight and protected against heavy water jet spray BACK TO TOP NEMA (National Electrical Manufacturers Association) ratings can be approximately compared to those of the IP system as shown below. Other factors such as corrosion protection are also involved in the NEMA system, please refer to official documentation for details. NEMA NEMA NEMA NEMA 1 2 3 4 = = = = IP10 IP11 IP54 IP56

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Technical Information on IP, NEMA and ATEX Ratings NEMA NEMA NEMA NEMA 4X = IP66 6 = IP67 12 = IP52 13 = IP54

BACK TO TOP ATEX & Intrinsic Safety Information - Explosive Atmospheres

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Protection Concepts ZONE 0 HAZARD PROTECTION CONCEPTS In which an explosive Exia or Exs gas/air mixture is continuously present for long periods In which an explosive gas/air mixture is likely to occur in normal operation. Exd. Exe, Exib, Exp, Exia, Exs

In which an explosive All concepts suitable for gas/air mixture is not Zone 0 & 1, ExN, ExO and likely to occur in normal Exq operation.

BACK TO TOP Standards For Methods Of Protection METHOD OF PROTECTION General requirement Oil immersion Pressurisation Powder filling Flameproof Increased safety Intrinsic safety Non-incendive Encapsulation Special PERMITTED ZONE OF USE IN UK 2 1 or 2 2 1 or 2 1 or 2 * 0, 1 or 2 2 1 or 2 1 or 2 CODE LETTER IEC, EX.., CENELEC, EEX o p q d e ia or ib n# m s

* ia: Zone 0,1,2. ib: Zone 1,2. not Zone 0. # n: used locally in UK. BACK TO TOP Gas Grouping GAS # GROUP CENELEC EN 50 014, IEC I * (mining) IIA IIB REPRESENTATIVE GAS Methane Propane Ethylene Temperature Classification T Class / IEC 79-7 T1 T2 T3 Max. surface temp C 450 C 300 C 200 C

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Technical Information on IP, NEMA and ATEX Ratings IIC Hydrogen T4 T5 T6 Certification Code (CENELEC marking information - example [EEx ia] IIC T4) [ E Ex ia ] IIC T4 Associated Certified Explosion Protection Associated Apparatus Temperature apparatus* to the protected concept apparatus* group classification CENELEC (IS) (gas (not Gp I) standard group) * (located in safe area and may be connected to hazardous area) BACK TO TOP Device Group & Category DEVICE GROUP I Mining Pit gas &/or flammable dusts II Other areas Explosive atmosphere DEVICE CATEGORY ZONE M = mining M 1 M 2 G = gas 1G 2G 3G D is added after G in the certification D = dust class number (i.e. GD) if device is dust category approved also BACK TO TOP Explanation of the categories: 1 - Very high safety = device safety must be guaranteed even in case of rare device failures, e.g. simultaneous failure of two components. 2 - High safety = device safety must be guaranteed if frequent failures can be expected, e.g. failure of one component. 3 Safe in normal operation = device safety must be guaranteed in normal operation. Note: A number in brackets before device category designation signifies that the device meets the requirements of an additional category to the main one that is specified. Example: II (1) 2G signifies that the device meets requirements for both 1 G and 2 G categories 1D 2D 3D 20, 21, 22 21, 22 22 0, 1, 2 1, 2 2 135 C 100 C 85 C

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Technical Information on IP, NEMA and ATEX Ratings BACK TO TOP Characteristics of Substances Flashpoint This is the lowest temperature at which a liquid generates sufficient vapour to support ignition. This vapour can be ignited in many ways including temperature or energy (i.e. a spark) Ignition Temperature This is the lowest temperature at which the vapour will be ignited. This defines the temperature class. Classification of maximum surface temperatures of electrical apparatus (CENELEC) Temp. Class T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 BACK TO TOP Apparatus Group (energy ignition) All surface industry gases/vapours are classed as Group II gases. Group II is divided into 3 sub groups: IIA High energy is required to ignite. Less intense explosion. (Propane) IIB Less energy is required to ignite. More intense explosion. (Ethylene) IIC Little energy is required to ignite. Most intense explosion. (Hydrogen) Characteristics of some common flammable materials Gas/Vapour Acetone Butane Heptane Ethyl Methyl Ether Flashpoint Gas Group 19C -60C -4C 37C IIA IIA IIA IIB Ignition Temp. 535C 365C 215C 190C Temp. Class T1 T2 T3 T4 Max. Surface Temp. <450C <300C <200C <135C <100C <85C

Note: There is no connection between ignition energy and ignition temperature BACK TO TOP
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