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Member

Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 8

Intrinsically Safe (IS) vs. Explosion Proof

10/14/2009 12:21 AM

Can anyone clear the exact difference betweeen the Intrinsic safety and explosion proof .

As far as i know Explosion proof is the protection to the enclosures and Instrinsic safet is the Incapability of the system to generate the spark/ignition inthe hazardous region .

Now my question is can Both the CRITERIA are applicable to a single Instrument? Can a Instrument be certified by both the types ??

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#1

Re: INTRINSIC SAFETY vs EXPLOSION PROOF

10/14/2009 9:32 AM

You decide your instrument based on the area classification

For Zone 0 , You have to use only intrinsic safe system

For Zone 1, You can use Explosion proof / Intrinsic safety /Increased safety

So if Your instrument is certified for zone 1 it cannot certified for Zone 0

However if your system is certified for Zone 0 , the same can be used for Zone 1

Regards

Jose

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#2

Re: Intrinsically Safe (IS) vs. Explosion Proof

10/14/2009 11:54 PM

Intrinsic safety limits the heat energy of a potential spark to a level below the ignition point of the hazardous substance.

NEMA-7 (gaseous) Explosion proof enclosures contain the force of an explosion, and safely vent the expanding flame while cooling the gases below the ignition point of the hazardous substance.

NEMA-9 (dust) Explosion proof enclosures include sealing flanges that will limit the accumulation of the hazardous substance to prevent ignition.

All different technologies that must be applied per the hazardous rating of the area.

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#3

Re: Intrinsically Safe (IS) vs. Explosion Proof

10/15/2009 12:34 AM

Hi,

Intrinsic safety means that safety is built-in into an object. In the instrumentation industry it refers to the electrical/electronic instrument which are used in hazardous areas. The design is in such a way that the safety is an integral part of the electrical/electronic circuit.

Basically, for any explosion to happen you need 3 elements - Spark/Ignition, Oxygen, Flammable material. If any one of these 3 are not present explosion cannot occur. In an intrinsic safety device the design is in such a way that the spark/ignition cannot occur. Hence, the energy is limited, which prevents spark. Also note that spark/ignition can also occur if there is sufficient temperature rise on an object and in the presence of the other 2 elements. Hence the temperature rise is also controlled and limited.

Whereas, an explosion proof device refers to the safety feature of the enclosure. The enclosure is designed in such a way that any explosion that is occurring inside the enclosure, for eg. caused by a spark between 2 electrical contacts, is not passed on to the surrounding external environment where flammable material is present.

This indicates that a spark may occur inside the explosion proof enclosure but in an intrinsically safe instrument the occurence of such spark does not exist.

Also note that an intrinsic safe instrument need not be housed in an explosion proof enclosure. But the industrial practice is such that majority of the intrinsic safe instruments are also being housed in explosion proof enclosure.

As in the other reply from josej, Zone classification will also determine the usage of instrinsically safe and/or explosion proof instrument.

With regards,

nameaspri

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Associate

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#4

Re: Intrinsically Safe (IS) vs. Explosion Proof

10/15/2009 1:32 AM

don;t forget to make sure whatever you use has the "UL" logo on it, that's "Underwriters Laboratory". Then you know it rated for whatever zone you need.

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BRich
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#5

Re: Intrinsically Safe (IS) vs. Explosion Proof

10/15/2009 1:52 AM

Hi there,

Very simply put.

Explosion proof is mechanical protection and cannot be used in Zone 0 (as previously stated)

Intrinsic safety is electrical protection and is the only protection method that can be used in Zone 0

Explosion proof (sometimes known as flame proof in some parts of the world) is used mainly on electrical devices where the energy cannot be limited. Typically this would be electrical motors, stop start stations etc.

Intrinsic safety is used with instrumentation because it would be very difficult to fault find if you cannot have power on the loop.

For more detailed information, do a google search for MTL barriers. They have a wealth of information on their web site about the different protection methods one can employ in the different zones.

Regards,

Craig

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