What is IEC 60079-0?

The international standard IEC 60079-0, also known as BS EN 60079-0, is part of a series of standards developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) for electrical equipment used in potentially explosive atmospheres. It provides requirements and guidelines to ensure the safe design, construction, operation, and maintenance of such equipment.

Scope and Objectives

The scope of IEC 60079-0 covers general requirements related to explosion protection for electrical equipment. Its main objective is to minimize the risk of ignition and subsequent explosions that can occur in industries where there are flammable gases, vapors, mists, dusts, or fibers present in the atmosphere. This standard applies to various sectors including chemical, oil and gas, mining, pharmaceutical, food processing, and others where the safety of personnel and assets is critical.

Main Provisions

IEC 60079-0 defines several key provisions that manufacturers must comply with for equipment to be certified as explosion-proof. These provisions include:

Classification of hazardous areas: The standard provides guidelines to identify different zones based on the likelihood and duration of an explosive atmosphere. It categorizes them into Zone 0, Zone 1, Zone 2, Zone 20, Zone 21, and Zone 22.

Equipment protection levels: It specifies various types of protection methods, such as increased safety, flameproof, intrinsically safe, pressurized, encapsulated, and others.

Marking and labeling requirements: All explosion-proof equipment must be clearly marked with appropriate labels indicating its suitability for particular hazardous areas and the required temperature class.

Benefits and Global Adoption

Compliance with IEC 60079-0 provides several benefits for industries. It ensures the safety of personnel and assets by reducing the risk of explosions, fires, and accidents in potentially hazardous environments. Additionally, it facilitates international trade and harmonization as the standard is widely accepted worldwide. Many countries have either adopted this standard directly or developed their own national standards based on it to regulate explosion protection in various industries.

Overall, IEC 60079-0 plays a crucial role in promoting safety and preventing catastrophic incidents in industries dealing with explosive atmospheres. Its guidelines and requirements provide manufacturers, installers, and users of electrical equipment with valuable insights and best practices to mitigate risks effectively.