1 Scope
This part of IEC 60079 contains the specific requirements for the design, selection and erection of electrical
installations in hazardous areas associated with explosive atmospheres.
Where the equipment is required to meet other environmental conditions, for example,
protection against ingress of water and resistance to corrosion, additional methods
of protection may be necessary. The method used should not adversely affect the integrity
of the enclosure.
The requirements of this standard apply only to the use of equipment under normal
or near normal atmospheric conditions. For other conditions, additional precautions
may be necessary. For example, most flammable materials and many materials which are
normally regarded as non-flammable might burn vigorously under conditions of oxygen
enrichment. Other precautions might also be necessary in the use of equipment under
conditions of extreme temperature and pressure. Such precautions are beyond the scope
of this standard.
These requirements are in addition to the requirements for installations in non-hazardous areas.
This standard applies to all electrical equipment including fixed, portable, transportable and personal, and installations, permanent or temporary.
It applies to installations at all voltages.
This standard does not apply to
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– electrical installations in mines susceptible to firedamp;
NOTE This standard may apply to electrical installations in mines where explosive gas atmospheres other than firedamp may be formed and to electrical installations in the surface installation of mines.
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– inherently explosive situations and dust from explosives or pyrophoric substances (for example explosives manufacturing and processing);
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– rooms used for medical purposes;
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– electrical installations in areas where the hazard is due to hybrid mixtures of combustible dust and explosive gas, vapour or mist.
This standard does not take into account of any risk due to an emission of flammable
or toxic gas from the dust.