The approvals for explosion protection has always been an explosive issue. The diversity of the topic, due to legal changes, new technologies, new research and industry associations mean that the issue is always open for questioning by experts. Silo engineers who avoid using certified level indicators and level switches place everyone involved in this industry at risk - even at an international level.
The IEC 60079 series of standards is used as the basis for the testing of explosion protected equipment. The IEC 60079 series of standards is currently the latest. Devices tested to meet these standards today are a safe investment for future requirements.
A dusty business
Bulk and solid materials are constantly on the move, eg in mills, in the wood processing industry and in agriculture. In DustEx areas, level indicators with housing protection ‘t’ are essential. Their design is based on the fact that no ignitable dust enters the interior of the device; should this protection not be in place, an explosion could occur via the unprotected network circuits which may generate excessive heat or ignitable sparks. The design of the measuring devices now include feature of being shock resistant - a major challenge particularly within the plastics industry. Compared to previous standards, the requirements for IEC 60 079 are far more stringent. This has a bearing, for example on the plastic housing and the age-testing of seals within ATEX zone 22 environments. The devices must pass these tests. All devices within UWT ROTONIVO ® rotary paddle switch series and the VIBRANIVO ® fork sensors meet these rigorous standards. Therefore, they can be used within hazardous dust zones 20/21).
Get Moving in Plant Safety
When used in Gas Ex areas or combined dust and gas hazardous areas, the device must meet the protection requirements for dust and also those for gas. An option is the design factor "Intrinsic Safety (i)" whereby all circuits are power limited, and therefore cannot cause ignition. Here, the power and signal cable is routed intrinsically safe for hazardous areas. This ensures the device is safe to use in gas Ex zone 0, combined with hazardous dust zones 20 or 20/21. The VIBRANIVO ® vibrating sensor range is available in this format.
Another option is to supplement the safety measures with a "flameproof enclosure (d)", in which any internal explosion triggered within the device will be contained within the housing. In this case, the on-site wiring must not be intrinsically safe and can either be flameproof gland inserted directly into the flameproof enclosure, or easily via standard cable glands in a terminal box of the type of protection "Increased safety (e)". Both variants are available in the UWT series ROTONIVO® and VIBRANIVO®, and thus cover the gas Ex zone 1, combined with hazardous dust zones 20/21, off.
Explosion Protection Has No Border Limits
Level switches require FM and CSA approvals in both the North American and Canadian market. The principles of explosion prevention (protection types) are equal to the European system, where the names are different (eg "Dust Ignition Proof (DIP)" for dust protection "housing" or "explosion-proof (XP)" for the flameproof enclosure).
The Eastern European market in turn requires its own certificates. Exportation of devices into Russia for use in hazardous areas require a GOST-R certification in addition to the RTN Ex approval. In Ukraine, a declaration of conformity from the Institute TCC ExE is required.
The UWT ROTONIVO and VIBRANIVO series and carry these aforementioned approvals, and are thus conform to regulations for use in hazardous areas across the world.
The IEC 60079 series of standards is used as the basis for the testing of explosion protected equipment. The IEC 60079 series of standards is currently the latest. Devices tested to meet these standards today are a safe investment for future requirements.
A dusty business
Bulk and solid materials are constantly on the move, eg in mills, in the wood processing industry and in agriculture. In DustEx areas, level indicators with housing protection ‘t’ are essential. Their design is based on the fact that no ignitable dust enters the interior of the device; should this protection not be in place, an explosion could occur via the unprotected network circuits which may generate excessive heat or ignitable sparks. The design of the measuring devices now include feature of being shock resistant - a major challenge particularly within the plastics industry. Compared to previous standards, the requirements for IEC 60 079 are far more stringent. This has a bearing, for example on the plastic housing and the age-testing of seals within ATEX zone 22 environments. The devices must pass these tests. All devices within UWT ROTONIVO ® rotary paddle switch series and the VIBRANIVO ® fork sensors meet these rigorous standards. Therefore, they can be used within hazardous dust zones 20/21).
Get Moving in Plant Safety
When used in Gas Ex areas or combined dust and gas hazardous areas, the device must meet the protection requirements for dust and also those for gas. An option is the design factor "Intrinsic Safety (i)" whereby all circuits are power limited, and therefore cannot cause ignition. Here, the power and signal cable is routed intrinsically safe for hazardous areas. This ensures the device is safe to use in gas Ex zone 0, combined with hazardous dust zones 20 or 20/21. The VIBRANIVO ® vibrating sensor range is available in this format.
Another option is to supplement the safety measures with a "flameproof enclosure (d)", in which any internal explosion triggered within the device will be contained within the housing. In this case, the on-site wiring must not be intrinsically safe and can either be flameproof gland inserted directly into the flameproof enclosure, or easily via standard cable glands in a terminal box of the type of protection "Increased safety (e)". Both variants are available in the UWT series ROTONIVO® and VIBRANIVO®, and thus cover the gas Ex zone 1, combined with hazardous dust zones 20/21, off.
Explosion Protection Has No Border Limits
Level switches require FM and CSA approvals in both the North American and Canadian market. The principles of explosion prevention (protection types) are equal to the European system, where the names are different (eg "Dust Ignition Proof (DIP)" for dust protection "housing" or "explosion-proof (XP)" for the flameproof enclosure).
The Eastern European market in turn requires its own certificates. Exportation of devices into Russia for use in hazardous areas require a GOST-R certification in addition to the RTN Ex approval. In Ukraine, a declaration of conformity from the Institute TCC ExE is required.
The UWT ROTONIVO and VIBRANIVO series and carry these aforementioned approvals, and are thus conform to regulations for use in hazardous areas across the world.
