Electrical Grounding

There is no such thing as an intrinsically safe area.

its safe in a text book but once you enter the real world all bets are off

Even a relatively safe area can be rendered hazardous by the untrained and unknowing.

OP needs some competent assistance, by someone close by.

Maybe I need to step back a little from my position about forum replies after seeing this post.

LOL Yeah, one which guarantees intrinsically safe sparks after the "ia" Zener barrier.

Are you in charge of the ATEX compliance of your plant?

Wouldn't that be something.

...and would therefore blow the fuse inside the isolation barrier...

Not necessarily, as unlike your standard intrinsically safe barriers equipped with fuses and limiting resistors intrinsically safe circuits can be protected by electronics alone that limit the current, voltage and power to safe levels. Certified intrinsically safe galvanic isolators are an example of this.

Are you serious? What on earth (pun intended) are you trying to do? Cause an explosion or something?

Garuda777,

As I hope you know, all wiring within a hazardous/classified area must be installed in a manner that prevents it from starting a fire or explosion in that area. Intrinsically safe circuits are designed to limit the available circuit energy to levels that are too low to cause ignition. Circuit components have to be selected so they are incapable of temperatures that would exceed the ignition temperature of the explosive or flammable materials in that area (whether dusts, vapors, liquids, etc.) Wiring devices must be selected and installed so that any explosion or fire that starts within them cannot rupture the enclosure and any hot gases or vapors are cooled to a temperature below the atmosphere's ignition temperature as they vent out of the enclosure.

That being said, I hope you have read the posts that tell you a megohmmeter cannot be used on an intrinsically safe circuit. Any meter with a battery or other power source, used within the classified area, has the real risk of causing a fire/explosion. A megohmmeter used outside the classified area on a circuit that enters the classified area should be OK as long as the circuit's wiring in the area complies fully with code rules.

--JMM

Indeed there is a limited choice of expensive ATEX measuring instruments like multimeters, calibrators,... but for sure no Megger. Also when working in dangerous zones it's by far not only about the electrical devices, it goes much further and requires to follow extremely strict rules which include the use appropriate equipment, clothing, PSA, etc. and to not carry anything which could cause sparks, even when falling. Appropriate training is an absolute must.

Some posters, me included, were obviously when replying kidding because the OP's question is close to asking if there are ATEX flame throwers available.

Not intrinsically safe, but there are devices that are designed to test insulation in motors and generators at their normal operating voltage. Current is limited to a very low value. These things are designed for in-plant use.

http://www.megalert.com/index-2.html

I think you want to know if there is any intrinsically safe Megger (Insulation Tester) for hazardous area like in coal mines etc .

If that is so , then there is intrinsically safe Insulation Testers certified for use in Mines where current passing thru the circuit is less than 10mA.There are other features also which make such instruments safe for areas where there are ignitable gasses like in mines .

There are Megohm meters such as the Fluke 1507 tester that are offered by several manufacturers all of which are capable of insulation testing at voltage values of 50 volts which will not damage the conductors used in intrinsically safe circuitry.

A search for megohm meters at Dranitz, Fluke, Ideal, etc. websites will reveal all that is available.

If you need technical help contact your favorite test meter sales rep and they will answer any questions or concerns you may have as well as recommend the correct meter for your test application.

Most wiring and cables used today are rated for a minimum of 300V which is well above the 50V meter test voltage.

You must first determine the maximum voltage rating of each and every conductor/wire being tested then select the appropriate tester.

You must determine the operating voltage of the circuit being tested.

All wiring and cables that are going to be tested must be de-energized and disconnected from the circuit terminals at both ends before and during testing.

Be sure that the applied meter test voltage does not exceed the conductor insulation voltage rating.

(Failure to do this can cause severe damage to the equipment and/or malfunction of the circuitry.)

Performing this type of testing in an energized cabinet is hazardous and can be fatal so be sure to properly isolate, de-energize, and protect all wiring and terminals from inadvertent contact with test personnel.

What happens when the insulation cannot withstand the applied test voltage?

In order to illuminate the shady areas of your knowledge,here is a thin ray of light:

Read and learn.

https://www.instrumart.com/assets/Megger-insulationtester.pdf