ANSI/UL
ANSI is an acronym for the American National Standards Institute, an organisation that administers conformity assessments for all Ex products and their periodic and continuous maintenance. ANSI focuses on production standards, and UL (Underwriters Laboratories) focuses on safety standards for flammable gear. Both organisations ensure that all Ex equipment meets rigorous safety requirements.
Anti-Static
Anti-Static technology inhibits electrostatic activity or electrostatic discharge. Electrostatic discharge can damage electrical components and ignite flammable liquids or gases. We also refer to anti-static technology or materials as dissipative, as they dissipate the electrostatic particles.
ATEX
ATEX is a set of European Union directives that regulate explosion protection. Its origin is from the French phrase ATmosphère EXplosible (Explosive Atmospheres), and companies must fulfil the ATEX requirements in order to manufacture, import and distribute Ex equipment within the EU. The two ATEX directives are the equipment directive 2014/34/EU (formerly known as ATEX 95, 94/9/EC) for manufacturers and the workplace directive ATEX 137 (99/92/EC) for employers with Ex work areas.
Blue Retina
LEDs produce blue light that appears bright and clean but causes damage to the retina. The naked eye doesn’t recognise blue light as harmful, so we don’t protect ourselves from excessive or strong exposure.
BTU
The British Thermal Unit (BTU) measures the heat content of fuels or energy sources. It is defined as the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of liquid water by 1 degree Fahrenheit.
Bulkhead
Bulkhead lights are extremely durable, fixed lights with a thick lens and metal grate covering. Bulkhead lights can withstand harsh weather conditions and are often found in industrial areas that need constant access to bright light.
Candela (cd)
A Candela (abbreviated ‘cd’) is the standard unit of measurement for the luminous intensity or brightness of a light source. Candela gets its name from originally measuring the luminous properties of candles. The human eye doesn’t experience cds, but they measure the energy, time and angle of light.
Casambi
Casambi is an app that allows you to control light illumination and colour via a Bluetooth device, giving your space more versatility with a wireless network (and dodging costly replacements).
CCC
CCC is an acronym for China Compulsory Certification. The CCC issues a certification of equipment to be exported to the Chinese market, including Explosion Hazardous Area equipment and related explosion protection certificates.
CE
The ‘CE’ label (French for Conformité Européenne, or European Conformity) indicates that the product complies with all applicable regulations defined by the European Commission (EC). Ex products must comply with numerous EC and ATEX requirements. The 4-digit number underneath the CE logo indicates the notified body’s identification or whoever performed the CE assessment from the manufacturer.
Certification
Ex Certification provides proof that the Ex equipment you purchase is exactly what it claims to be and refers to both the product and the manufacturing process. An Ex product cannot be certified without the process also being certified because product certification is based only on sample units. The manufacturing process must be certified to ensure all units have the same quality as the tested samples.
The certification process can be either self-certification or a notified body (3rd party) certification. The self-certification still needs to be signed by a notified body but is otherwise allowed for Ex Zone 2, where there is a low gas explosion risk. Ex products for Zone 0 or 1 and Zone 20 or 21 must have 3rd party certifications.
Class 1
Class 1 is a UL-defined class for an ignitable substance area. It means the zone contains flammable gas, vapours and liquids.
Conductive
Electricity travels easily through conductive material and is a major risk in Explosion Hazardous Zones. Examples of conductive material include steel, copper and silver and must be grounded in Ex areas with confined spaces (such as tanks and pipes). Electrified and conductive materials hold a static charge that can cause severe damage in Ex Zones.
Confined Space
Confined spaces are completely or partially enclosed with restricted entry and exit options (pipes, tanks and silos) and are especially susceptible to health and safety risks in Ex Zones. Workers need special hazard training to work in confined spaces, like managing potential emergencies such as sudden loss of oxygen or poisonous vapours.
Ex lighting solutions, such as the Atexor tank sets, must be carefully configured for confined spaces as the surfaces tend to be corroded and conductive. A low voltage (lower than 50VAC) must be used to avoid electrocution.
CRI
CRI, or Colour Rendering Index, measures how an artificial light source compares to natural white light. On a scale of 1 to 100, 100 indicates it is essentially identical to natural light. LEDs tend to have low numbers in the CRI, thus changing the colours we see on the light spectrum.
DALI
DALI (the Digital Addressable Lighting Interface) is the standard interface that allows light fixtures to be controlled by software-based technologies like Bluetooth. With this digital method, you can adjust brightness and colour with software at the touch of a button.
Diamond Kote Advanced Corrosion Protection®
Diamond Kote Corrosion Protection Unit is a wireless automotive corrosion protection device that uses the vehicle’s electronic diagnostic system to protect Ex equipment.
Directive
Within the European Union, directive refers to the rules and requirements defined by the European Commission.
Dissipative
Dissipative is an electrical property of the materials we use in Ex luminaires, and it means to scatter or disperse electrical particles to avoid static charge buildup and reduce hazards.
Division 2
Division 2, according to UL standards, means that flammable substances are not likely to exist under normal operating conditions.
EAC
EAC, or Eurasian Conformity, is similar to the CE mark used in the EU. It indicates that the product meets the requirements of all applicable technical regulations of the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) in Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and Armenia. They handle the customs clearance for imports to Customs Union countries.
EC Type Approval
EC Type Approval is an additional certification for specific lighting applications within the EU and is required for electrical equipment used in motor vehicles. The EC Type Approval indicates that the equipment meets certain radio interference (or electromagnetic compatibility) requirements as defined by the Directive 72/245/EEC and its amendments.
The certification includes an “e-Nr.“ distinction, which indicates the country where the product was certified. For example, “e-1” is Germany, “e-2” France and “e-17” is Finland.
ElectroFin® 5-stage
Ex equipment in harsh conditions deteriorates and erodes over time. Corrosion affects heat exchanges and transfers and can be dangerous in a hazardous zone. ElectroFin® 5-stage is a factory-applied electro-deposition coating process that guarantees complete heat exchanger coverage and protection against corrosion.
EM – Emergency Function
A power failure can turn unexpected challenges into dangerous situations on the job. The EM function for temporary work lights and hand lamps specifically addresses the risks power failures create. A combination of battery power and intelligent signalling helps workers stay safe when their main power supply is lost.
EMC
EMC is an acronym used to indicate Electro-Magnetic Compatibility. Many markets around the world have electric and magnetic interference regulations, and the basic principle is: do not disturb or be disturbed. For example, the FM radio and GPS navigation in your car need to work simultaneously without disrupting one another. Ex-rated equipment sold within the European Union must comply with the EMC directive 2014/30/EU.
Equipment Protection Level
The Equipment Protection Level (EPL) is defined by the international standard IEC/EN 60079. The assigned EPL of equipment indicates the likelihood that the equipment can become an ignition source.
The EPL depends on the explosive atmosphere type: gas (G), dust (D) or mines (M). There are three standard protection levels:
- Ga, Da, Ma – very high protection; the equipment remains safe in normal operation, even in rare fault situations (two faults at once).
- Gb, Db, Mb – high protection; the equipment remains safe in normal operation, also when faults occur (single fault).
- Gc, Dc – enhanced protection; the equipment remains safe in normal operation and may have extra protection to minimise ignition risk in fault situations (fault may cause equipment to shut down).
Ex
Also known as Explosion Proof, Explosion Protected, Ex Proof or Ex Rated, these terms are used worldwide to indicate explosion resistance. Sometimes you may also see ‘flameproof,’ though that term can be misleading. An Ex certification for a product means the equipment cannot be a source of ignition. If it does explode, the explosion is confined and controlled within the equipment, and Ex equipment typically eliminates the ignition source.
Ex Zone
Explosion Hazardous Areas are divided into zones according to risk probability. Within the European Union, these are defined by IEC/EN standards (IEC/EN 60079-10-1 or 2) as directed by ATEX.
There are three zones for gas: Zone 0, Zone 1 and Zone 2, and three for dust: Zone 20, Zone 21 and Zone 22. The 0-zones (0 and 20) are the highest risk probability, and the 2-zones are the lowest (2 and 22).
One Hazardous Area can have several different zones. Risk factors include how long the explosion hazard is present and how far the source of the hazard is from the area in question. With the zone classifications, there is a big difference between Zones 0-1 and Zone 2. The demands on Ex-rated products for Zone 2 are significantly lower.
ExCB
Short for Ex Certified Bodies, these are organisations approved to serve as notified bodies for Ex equipment, facilities and people. The list of ExCBs is maintained by IECEx and available on their public website.
Floodlight
Floodlights are high-powered lights used to illuminate large areas.
GOST-R
GOST-R is the state approval agency in Russia that defines national standards for the Russian market. (See also EAC).
Groups A, B, C, D
The likelihood of explosive materials igniting depends on the mixture of the substances in the environment. Materials are divided into groups A, B, C and D based on their explosive properties and ignition temperatures, with further subdivisions within these groups.
- Group A includes Acetylene
- Group B includes Hydrogen, Butadiene, Ethylene Oxide and Propylene Oxide
- Group C includes Ethylene, Cyclopropane and Ethyl Ether
- Group D includes Propane, Acetone, Ammonia, Benzene, Butane, Ethanol, Gasoline, Methanol and Natural Gas.
Hazardous Area
A hazardous area, according to Ex workers, can indicate a number of phrases, including Explosion Hazardous, Explosion Hazardous Area and Potentially Explosion Hazardous Area. People that work in these areas need to understand what type of equipment is safe, and manufacturers need to know how to make products specially rated for these areas.
Hazardgard®
Hazardgard is a brand-name industrial cooling system. Its special design controls cooling in laboratories, storage areas and control rooms where flammable liquid gases are present within enclosed and hazardous conditions.
HVAC
An acronym for Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning, HVAC refers to the different systems that control the airflow of both residential and commercial buildings from indoors to outdoors.
Hz
One hertz (Hz) is a unit of frequency equivalent to one cycle — or complete wave of alternating current or voltage — per second. The term can be used to describe any phenomenon with regular periodic variations, but it’s most commonly used with alternating electric currents, electromagnetic waves and sound.
IEC
The IEC is the International Electrotechnical Commission. This internationally-recognised authority maintains International Standards related to electronics. Countries around the world create unified standards for a wide range of industries, including those for Explosive Atmospheres.
Although standards are unified, interpretation may vary from market to market. Local Ex authorities sometimes make their own interpretations, which leads to confusion for both manufacturers and buyers of Ex equipment. Manufacturers and notified bodies may make recommendations to change IEC standards to help eliminate conflicting interpretations.
IECEx
IECEx stands for the International Electrotechnical Commission System for Certification to Standards Relating to Equipment for Use in Explosive Atmospheres. This is the international body that oversees the requirements for Explosion Hazardous Areas as defined by IEC standards. These standards cover both equipment and the manufacturing processes and are used for certifying Ex professionals.
The IECEx commission focuses on the framework for how IEC standards for Explosion Hazardous Areas are interpreted and applied. Markets like Australia may not have their own dedicated authority, in which case they look to the IECEx for direction. Local authorities in all markets make the actual laws and requirements, such as how ATEX defines commercial rules for Ex products in the EU, so IECEx is not a legal body that can dictate rules.
INMETRO
INMETRO is an acronym for the Brazilian Institute of Metrology, Standardisation and Industrial Quality. This is Brazil’s approval agency monitoring Ex products. INMETRO follows IEC standards but has additional rules for the Brazilian market, much like ATEX in the EU. For more information, visit the INMETRO website.
Intrinsic Safety
Intrinsic safety is a method for making Ex products safe to use in hazardous areas and is governed by the international standard IECEx 60079-11. It indicates that the energy used by the product is so low that it cannot possibly ignite anything. Intrinsic safety is the key term used by companies looking for maximum safety when they purchase equipment. Following the IECEx 60079-11 standard, compliant products are marked with the letter “i” and a subscript letter “a,” “b” or “c” as follows: ia (zone 1 and 2), ib (zone 1 only) or ic (zone 2 only).
IP Rating
IP Rating, or Ingress Protection Rating, is defined by IEC 60529. IP Rating is more common with consumer electronics like mobile devices and smartwatches than with Ex equipment because it focuses only on the dust or liquid penetration into the product.
With Ex products, we use IP56 and IP66 ratings. The first digit of the rating indicates dust protection level, and the second digit is the liquid protection level. An IP56 rating means the product has level 5 dust protection and a level 6 liquid protection rating. It’s not completely impervious to dust, but most dust and dirt cannot get inside, and it can withstand a reasonable spray but should not be completely submerged in water.
Isolator
Isolators protect and maintain power voltages in hazardous areas where substances can easily ignite. It is a device that ensures an electrical circuit is completely de-energised and disconnected when being serviced.
ITRI
ITRI, or the Industrial Technology Research Institute, is the official agency in Taiwan that approves Ex equipment for use. Once certified, the product must carry the TS Mark label as shown to the right. For more information, visit the ITRI website.
KOSHA
Short for Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency, KOSHA is the local authority responsible for Ex product imports and distribution in Korea. For more information, visit the KOSHA website.
LED
LED stands for Light-Emitting Diode and is the go-to modern light source. In addition to visible light, LEDs can be used to generate infra-red and even ultraviolet light, and they have lower energy consumption and a longer lifespan than other light sources.
LED technology has advanced rapidly in the last decade, and for Ex luminaires, this has advantages and disadvantages. Optical radiation plays a significant role for Ex luminaires with LEDs, and ignition risk factors must not be overlooked in the design and manufacture of these products.
Light Fixture
Light fixtures (or, in UK English, ‘light fittings’) refer to the light-emitting element (lamp or LED), the housing, the stand or mount and the electrical wiring of a luminaire device. In lighting solutions used in Ex areas, the fixture (fitting) is separate from the luminaire. The Ex luminaire is the light-emitting element(s) plus the control unit (electronics) and enclosure around it.
Linear
A linear luminaire (also known as a work light) has one or more rows of LEDs aligned end-to-end on one side, providing a 180-degree illumination for long spaces. The first linear lights were used in buildings around the 1950s in industrial spaces with the use of fluorescent tubes.
Low Voltage
Low voltage is an electrical potential that isn’t large enough to cause damage if it’s diverted, but it isn’t the same as explosion protection. In the context of Ex confined spaces, low voltage is technically ‘extra-low voltage’. According to the international standard IEC 60364-4, anything below 50VAC (or 120VDC) is extra-low voltage.
The IEC60364 standard uses ‘extra-low’ because it also addresses ‘high voltage’ (over 1000VAC) used in electricity transmission and ‘low voltage’, or the typical mains voltages in the 110-200VAC range. Ex-certified equipment can be high, low or extra-low voltage. Low (extra-low) voltage in itself is not inherently safe to use in Explosion Hazardous Areas or confined spaces because anything conductive becomes an immediate risk if there is an electrical current in the area.
Lumen (lm)
A Lumen (lm) is the standard unit of measurement for brightness or ‘luminous flux’. With incandescent bulbs, watts (energy consumption) indicate the brightness of a bulb. As more energy-efficient technology became available, watts were no longer a clear indicator of how much light you extract from a luminaire. For example, a traditional 40-Watt incandescent bulb produces between 400 and 500 lumens. A comparable LED bulb in terms of lumens may consume as little as 5 Watts.
Luminaire
Luminaire is a general term for any light-emitting product, and it refers to many diverse lighting solutions. In modular systems, using this term allows us to address properties of a luminaire separate from those of cables and mounting brackets — which have their own special properties for Ex areas.
Lux (lx)
Lux (lx) is the standard unit of measure of illuminance (how much light is hitting a surface). One lux is equal to one lumen per square metre, and we can calculate how much light (lumens) we need to illuminate a space.
NEPSI
Short for National Supervision and Inspection Centre for Explosion Protection and Safety of Instrumentation, NEPSI is a notified body that specialises in testing and certifying Ex equipment for China’s market. For more information, visit the NEPSI website.
NFPA
NFPA stands for the National Fire Protection Association. The NFPA is an international nonprofit organisation devoted to eliminating death, injury, property and economic loss due to fire, electrical and other hazards.
Notified Body
A notified body is a government-approved organisation that certifies products, processes, people and organisations that comply with regulations for EX areas within the EU (ATEX directives). There are processes in place to help resolve conflicts of interest and ensure notified bodies remain objective and trustworthy. For IECEx approvals, we talk about Ex Certified Bodies (see ExCB). The list of approved ExCBs is maintained by IECEx.
OP IS
If a product is marked with OP IS, it means it complies with the safety standards for optical radiation (also called ‘optical irradiation’). High-powered LED luminaires can create an ignition source if they are not designed to withstand the LED’s radiation energy. LED technology continues to increase the power generated by each diode and can pose significant risks.
RoHS
RoHS is an acronym to describe the Restriction of Hazardous Substances. This European Union directive places strict rules on dangerous substance use in electronics like lead and mercury. All products sold in the EU, including spare parts and cables, must adhere to these rules. The RoHS does not currently have a marking of its own. If a product uses the CE mark, it usually complies with the RoHS directive. ATEX directives do not add additional RoHS requirements.
SafeEye®
The raw light from powerful LEDs can cause severe damage to the human eye, particularly for workers in dark conditions where looking straight at an LED light can be temporarily blinding and painful. The SafeEye® solution ensures Atexor work lights and luminaries remain safe for workers’ eyes even when the lumens output is high. A specially designed diffuser spreads the light beam emanating from the LED to avoid glare without significantly reducing lumens.
Safety Lamp
Safety lamps are most commonly used in confined spaces like mines. The open flame is surrounded by mesh material that prevents the flame from extending and igniting flammable gases in the surrounding atmosphere.
Safety Light
Safety light is a common term referring to many different types of lights, from a yellow light on a traffic barrier to a red light on the back of a bicycle. A safety light ensures that you are visible to others and mitigates the risk of accidents.
Temperature Class
Temperature class (also known as ‘T-rating’) defines the explosion hazard type for the Ex product. The class, from 1 to 6, indicates the highest temperature allowed without igniting anything in the area. Class defines risks of a zone in a given area.
The classes are defined separately for gas and dust hazards by IEC standards 600079-10-1 (gas) and 600079-2 (dust). The temperature restrictions for gas apply to the whole product, and for dust, the classes only concern the hottest outer surface temperature.
T4 Temperature Classification
A Temperature Class within a hazardous area indicates the level of thermal energy allowed to be produced by specific equipment. Temperature T4 Classification means the temperature can range from 120° C (248° F) to 135° C (275° F).
‘U’ in Ex Certification Number
If you see a ‘U’ at the end of an Ex certification number, it means the certification is for a component. The ‘U’ certificate is for the Ex component only, and Ex equipment requires a single, independent Ex certification. A collection of Ex component certificates does not fulfil this requirement.
UKCA
The UKCA (UK Conformity Assessed) marking is a new compliance requirement for the Great Britain markets (England, Scotland, Wales) for post-Brexit trade. UKCA is similar to the CE product marking of the EU.
For now, ATEX products imported to the UK can continue to be sold with the CE marking. However, product certifications and markings will soon need to include UKCA. According to the currently available information, the hard date for having the UKCA marking (below) visible on imported products is January 1st, 2023.
UL
Short for Underwriters Laboratories, UL is the leading authority in the United States certifying product compliance with quality, safety and other standards. This includes all Ex-related certifications. Products that have passed the rigorous certification tests have a unique certificate number and permission to use the “UL” label on the product.
UL Listing
The UL listing is a collection of products that Underwriters Laboratories has tested and certified. UL actively maintains this list, meaning it audits products it has already certified and may remove them if the product manufacturer fails the audit.
WEEE
Short for Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment, the WEEE directive lays out rules for collecting and recycling waste from electronic devices in the European Union. From industrial equipment to household appliances and toys, compliant products must carry the WEEE recycle bin logo.
‘X’ in Ex Certification Number
If you see an ‘X’ at the end of an Ex certification number, it means there are special conditions for the use of the Ex equipment. The special condition(s) must be explained in the Ex equipment documentation.