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Hazardous areas are divided into appropriate zones depending on the frequency and duration of the occurrence of a dangerous, explosive atmosphere. The system operator is responsible for determining the zone for operating the system. The manufacturer is responsible for determining the zone for the system. The system operator ultimately decides on the zoning.
The basis for the division into zones is the duration of the presence of the explosive atmosphere: the longer this is present, the more critical the zone becomes. A distinction is made between gas-ex zones and dust-ex zones: gas-ex zones are 0/1/2 and dust-ex zones are 20/21/22. In terms of classification, they are the same.
Zone 0/20: An explosive atmosphere occurs constantly, over long periods of time or frequently.
Zone 1/21: An explosive atmosphere occasionally occurs during normal operation .
Zone 2/22: An explosive atmosphere does not occur or occurs briefly during normal operation .
According to Directive 2014/34/EU (ATEX), the division into the following device groups and categories:
Device group I includes potentially explosive areas underground. The danger arises from mine gas and/or dust. This includes the categories M1 and M2:
The M1 category indicates a very high level of safety, even if two independent errors occur.
The M2 category demonstrates a high level of safety. The devices switch themselves off if explosive atmospheres occur.
Group | Equipment Category | Atmosphere | Safety design | Temp. (surface doesn't exceed) | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Groupi | M1 | M2 | G | D | C | T1 - 842°F/450°C T2 - 572°F/300°C T3 - 392°F/200°C T4 - 275°F/135°C T5 - 212°F/100°C T6 - 185°F/85°C |
mining applications | a wery high level ofsafety | a high level of safety | Gases, vapors, mists | Dust | / |
Device group II includes potentially explosive areas above ground. The danger arises from liquids or gases. This includes device categories 1, 2 and 3:
Device category 1 indicates a very high level of security.
The level of protection is very high in the case of rare faults and when two independent faults occur.
Device category 2 indicates a high level of security.
The level of protection is high when an expected fault or error occurs.
Device category 3 indicates an increased level of security.
The level of protection is normal in normal operation.
Group | Equipment Category | Atmosphere | Safety design | Gas composition (only for Group||) | Temp. (surface doesn't exceed) | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Group || | 1 | 2 | 3 | G | D | C |
||A ||B ||C |
T1 - 842°F/450°C T2 - 572°F/300°C T3 - 392°F/200°C T4 - 275°F/135°C T5 - 212°F/100°C T6 - 185°F/85°C |
above cround | a very high levell ofsafety | a hich lewel of safety | an increased level ofsfcty | Gases vapors. mists | Dust | / |
flammable medium | Duration of thepresence of an explosive atmosphere | Ex zone | Explosion group | Device category |
---|---|---|---|---|
Gases, vapors, mists (G) | constantly. constantly | Zone 0 | || | 1G |
occasionally | Zone 1 | || | 2G | |
rarely | Zone 2 | || | 3G | |
Dust (D) | constantly. constantly | Zone 20 | || | 1D |
occasionally | Zone 21 | || | 2D | |
rarely | Zone 22 | || | 3D |
The classification of the hazard and the division into device categories means that different safety concepts come into play for the devices and systems used. The requirements can be found in the relevant standards. It is important that the processes and substances must be known in order to make the right choice and thus maintain the safety of people and the environment.