Description of BS EN 60079-0:2012+A11:2013 2014

This part of IEC 60079 specifies the general requirements for construction, testing and marking of electrical equipment and Ex Components intended for use in explosive atmospheres.

The standard atmospheric conditions (relating to the explosion characteristics of the atmosphere) under which it may be assumed that electrical equipment can be operated are:

• temperature −20 °C to +60 °C;

• pressure 80 kPa (0,8 bar) to 110 kPa (1,1 bar); and

• air with normal oxygen content, typically 21 % v/v.

This standard and other standards supplementing this standard specify additional test requirements for equipment operating outside the standard temperature range, but further additional consideration and additional testing may be required for equipment operating outside the standard atmospheric pressure range and standard oxygen content, particularly with respect to types of protection that depend on quenching of a flame such as ‘ flameproof enclosure “d”’ ( IEC 60079‑1 ) or limitation of energy, ‘intrinsic safety “i”’ ( IEC 60079‑11 ).

This standard does not specify requirements for safety, other than those directly related to the explosion risk. Ignition sources like adiabatic compression, shock waves, exothermic chemical reaction, self ignition of dust, naked flames and hot gases/liquids, are not addressed by this standard.

This standard is supplemented or modified by the following standards concerning specific types of protection:

• IEC 60079‑1 : Gas – Flameproof enclosures "d";

• IEC 60079‑2 : Gas – Pressurized enclosures "p";

• IEC 60079‑5 : Gas – Powder filling "q";

• IEC 60079‑6 : Gas – Oil immersion "o";

• IEC 60079‑7 : Gas – Increased safety "e";

• IEC 60079‑11 : Gas – Intrinsic safety "i";

• IEC 60079‑15 : Gas – Type of protection “n”;

• IEC 60079‑18 : Gas and dust – Encapsulation "m";

• IEC 60079‑31 : Dust – Protection by enclosure “t”

• IEC 61241‑4 : Dust – Pressurization “pD”.

This standard is supplemented or modified by the following equipment standards:

IEC 60079‑13 : Explosive atmospheres – Part 13: Equipment protection by pressurized room“p”

IEC 60079‑25 : Explosive atmospheres – Part 25: Intrinsically safe electrical systems

IEC 60079‑26 : Explosive atmospheres – Part 26: Equipment with equipment protection level (EPL) Ga

IEC 60079‑28 : Explosive atmospheres – Part 28: Protection of equipment and transmission systems using optical radiation

IEC 62013‑1 : Caplights for use in mines susceptible to firedamp – Part 1: General requirements – Construction and testing in relation to the risk of explosion

IEC 60079‑30‑1 : Explosive atmospheres – Part 30-1: Electrical resistance trace heating – General and testing requirements.

This standard with the additional standards mentioned above, are not applicable to the construction of

• electromedical apparatus,

• shot-firing exploders,

• test devices for exploders, and

• shot-firing circuits.

About BSI

BSI Group, also known as the British Standards Institution is the national standards body of the United Kingdom. BSI produces technical standards on a wide range of products and services and also supplies certification and standards-related services to businesses.