Many of our products contain electrical components, such as GPL Odorizers odorization systems, and may be used in hazardous areas. Customers may seek out equipment with certain hazardous area classifications or descriptions, such as explosion-proof or intrinsically safe. This warrants further discussion on the difference between intrinsically safe and explosion-proof.
At times, electrical equipment must be used or installed in locations where vapors or gases are present. These areas are known as “hazardous locations.” When equipment needs to be installed in these areas, the operator must follow rigid material and design guidelines. The NEC, or National Electrical Code, provides guidelines for electricians, electrical contractors, inspectors, and engineers In the United States. These guidelines are part of the National Fire Code Series and published by the National Fire Protection Association, with updates every three years.
The NEC defines protection techniques equipment manufacturers must use when designing equipment intended for use in hazardous areas. NEC definitions set the parameters manufacturers must comply with for any component to be installed in a hazardous area. These definitions are explosion-proof, dust ignition-proof, dust-tight, purged/pressurized, intrinsically safe, and hermetically sealed.
Most of the equipment we represent used in hazardous locations is either explosion-proof or intrinsically safe.
Explosion-proof
Pictured is a GPL 750 Odorizer with its electronics enclosed in a CL I Div 1 explosion-proof enclosure.
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 that 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 equipment’s rated group.
Intrinsically Safe
An intrinsically safe rating means that the electronics or wiring contained within the equipment cannot spark or accumulate enough energy to ignite the gas or vapor at the location. Additionally, the equipment’s surface temperature cannot get high enough to ignite the gas or vapor at the site.
Classifications of Hazardous Atmospheres
The NEC is also a classification tool for hazardous conditions. Many products we sell are typically associated with a hazardous location classification. The following explains what the classification denotes.
There are three types of hazardous conditions or classes:
Class I – gases and vapor
Class II – combustible dust
Class III – fibers and flyings
There are two kinds of hazardous conditions within a class.
With Class I on gases and vapor hazards, the two kinds are:
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 in insufficient concentrations to be an explosion hazard.
In Class I, there are four Groups (A, B, C, D), which are classifications of atmospheres by the degree of volatility, with “A” being the most hazardous and “D” being the least volatile group.
Group A: Acetylene
Group B: Hydrogen and manufactured gases containing Hydrogen
Group C: Petrochemicals
Group D: Petrochemicals (includes methane)
For information on Class II and Class III, download Hazardous location and OSHA Regulation information.
What is the difference between explosion-proof and intrinsically safe? The internals must be engineered to contain an internal explosion and avert a much larger detonation in explosion-proof equipment. The intrinsically safe rating means the electronics cannot spark or create sufficient energy to ignite. In both cases, the equipment’s surface temperature cannot meet or ignite the rated group’s gas or vapor ignition temperatures.
Common Class locations:
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
Coal preparation plants and other carbon handling or processing areas
Textile mills, cotton gins
Cottonseed mills, flax processing plants
Plants that shape, pulverize, or cut wood and create sawdust or flyings
Having vendors such as Linc Energy Systems is paramount to assure product quality.
John Atwater
Lead Technician
Linc Energy Systems has a great product line, and their customer service can’t be beat!"
Mark Flemmer
Engineering Support Coordinator
Linc Energy Systems has always provided leadership, state-of-the-art technology, and exemplary customer service.
Randall Bishop
Natural Gas Specialist
Great product knowledge, prompt response and we don’t have issues getting our products in a timely manner… we can always count on Linc Energy Systems’ reliable service.
Edward G. Ortega
Purchasing Agent
Linc Energy Systems is the contract manufacturer for our odorization system. We are grateful for our affiliation, which has been vital to our success. The staff is responsive, collaborative, communicative, and places great effort in prioritizing our needs.
Amanda Koplin
CEO, Pipeline Conditioning
Houston, TX
The odorization equipment training class was very informative, insightful, and hands-on. I was able to develop a deeper understanding of the unit thanks to this course.
Andrew McIntosh
Pipeline Conditioning, OPs Manager
The GPL Standard 10000 technical course was fundamental to my ability to understand and operate the GPL 10000. All who operate or maintain the GPL 10000 would benefit from this course. I can confidently perform the maintenance required to keep the system operating at peak efficiency.
Brennen Hamilton
Pipeline Conditioning, Senior Field Engineer
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