Difference between intrinsically safe and explosion proof
Many of our products are electrical equipment and used in hazardous areas, such as the GPL Odorizers. We’re often asked, “What is the difference between explosion-proof and intrinsically safe?”
Intrinsically Safe vs Explosion-Proof
Explosion-proof

Here are the intrinsically safe electronics for the GPL 750 odorization system (Class I Div 1)
Equipment with an explosion-proof classification doesn’t mean the material will survive a blast. Instead, it means that the equipment is housed or has an enclosure which prevents an internal spark from causing a much more massive explosion. In this case, the cabinet must be engineered to contain any flash or explosion. The housing on this type of equipment is generally constructed of stainless steel, or cast aluminum and strong enough to contain an explosion should gas or vapors seep into the enclosure and the internal electronics ignite. The equipment must be designed so that if there is an internal explosion, the external surface temperature does not meet or exceed the ignition temperature of the gases in the group the equipment has been rated for.
Intrinsically Safe
Classifications of Hazardous Atmospheres
- Class I – gases and vapor
- Class II – combustible dust
- Class III – fibers and flyings
- Division 1: The gases or vapors are always present at sufficient concentrations to be an explosion hazard.
- Division 2: The gases or vapors may be present, and if they are, they are likely to be insufficient concentrations to be an explosion hazard.
- Group A: Acetylene
- Group B: Hydrogen and manufactured gases containing Hydrogen
- Group C: Petrochemicals
- Group D: Petrochemicals (includes methane)
Class I Locations | Class II Locations | Class III Locations |
· Petroleum refineries, and gasoline storage and dispensing areas · Dry cleaning facilities where vapors from cleaning fluids are present · Spray finishing areas · Aircraft hangars and fuel servicing areas · Utility gas plants and operations involving the storage and handling of liquefied petroleum gas or natural gas | · Grain elevators · Flour and feed mills · Plants that manufacture, use or store magnesium or aluminum powders · Plastic, medicine, and firework manufacturers · Starch or candy producers · Spice-grinding plants, sugar plants and cocoa plants; and · Coal preparation plants and other carbon handling or processing areas | · Textile mills, cotton gins; · Cotton seed mills, flax processing plants; and · Plants that shape, pulverize, or cut wood and create sawdust or flyings. |
Very informative.