Maintaining Electrical Equipment in Hazardous Areas

This won't work!

Your Idea seems interesting, but over complicated. As I understand it the purpose of an explosion / flame protected junction box is to contain the flash or explosion resulting from shorted wires or other electrical malfunction. All you really want to do is to contain the problem so you don't ignite possible fuel vapors outside your electrical components.

Check the seals on your old equipment and replace as necessary. You don't need to re-invent the wheel, just change the tires on what you have!

All you should need to ensure compliance with international standards is to make sure your junction box is rated for the equipment within.

Drew

The short answer is NO! This modification to an Ex d 'flameproof' enclosure (if I read your comments correctly and you want to leave the metal ball connected to the flameproof enclosure) is not acceptable due to the pressure piling effect (and the fact it is a totally uncertified modification).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pressure_piling

What exactly is the problem with the flameproof enclosures on your site? Have the flameproof boxes got damaged flame paths or gland seals (or something)?

Please provide more information on the exact nature of the damage.

1. In your post figure has not appeared. Did you forget to paste it?

2. Your idea will not work. When you try to create vacuum, the explosive gases are bound to enter inside your ball. Besides, it is not only the safety, but complying to current standards (which have surely great sense) is mandatory. Your idea can not comply to the standards.

3. Instead of creating vacuum, if you purge it continuously with fresh air drawn from safe area, and get the ball certified under Ex p, it can work, safe and complying to standards.

The posted idea is absurd, as pointed out by others above.

Maintenance of EEx d equipment is routinely carried out by de-energising and carrying out the required tasks under Permit-to-work systems. The operation should have maintenance procedures in place for this sort of thing, which will be found in a manual. RTFM applies.

Perhaps you are not aware that flame proof equipments be it EXd or Ex e Or E xn have to be certified by authrised labs like Baseefa,Chesi .No modification is allowed.If there is a minor change made to the design you need to get the tests done again and get a certificate.So pl. do not entertain such ideas.

An altogether bad idea! First of all, only qualified people should be allowed to perform electrical maintenance in any situation, and especially so in a hazardous area. Secondly, anyone properly qualified would know that there are maintenance/service manuals available as required by the standards and installation procedures. Thirdly, I'm amazed that the petroleum company's safety committee and management would allow something like this. Are they prepared to face the consequences of allowing untrained personnel to put the whole plant at risk?

Mind boggling!!

CONSIDERING U GET NECESSARY CERTIFICATION FOR UR MODIFICATION (U WONT)

1-SHOULD NOT AFFECT THE INTERNAL STRUCTURE IF SUITABLY REINFORCED

2-INCASE OF FAILURE OF SEALS, UR BALL WILL SUCK DANGEROUS GAS INSIDE AND WILL CAUSE A POTENTIAL RISK.

3-THE SOLUTION IS DANGEROUS AND WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED A SOLUTION

4-JUST CHANGE THE SEALS FROM A CERTIFIED COMPANY, EVEN IF THE PRODUCTION COMPANY IS CLOSED IAM SURE SUITABLE ALTERNATIVES AVAILABLE. JUST NEED SOME SEARCHING.