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Explosion Protection Type
In Explosion Protection, what is meant by "type of explosion protection" are the special measures which are applied to electrical operating facilities to prevent the ignition of a surrounding potentially explosive atmosphere.
The construction guidelines and conditions for electrical devices are laid down in IEC Standard 60079-ff.
Besides the type of explosion protection for electrical devices, there are other types of explosion protection for non-electrical devices. These types of explosion protection are laid down in DIN EN 13463-ff.
From here on, only the types of explosion protection which apply to electrical devices will be considered.
Intrinsically safe "i"
Type of explosion protection
For the use of these devices in a potentially explosive area, only intrinsically safe circuits are used. Current and voltage are limited so that the minimum ignition energy and the ignition temperature of an explosive mixture cannot be reached.
Norm:
EN 60079-11
IEC 60079-11
Increased safety "e"
Type of explosion protection 
The production of sparks, arcs or excessive temperatures which might act as a source of ignition are prevented by additional measures and an increased degree of safety.
Norm:
EN 60079-7
IEC 60079-7
Flameproof enclosures "d"
Type of explosion protection
The components which could cause the ignition of a potentially explosive mixture are built into an enclosure which is capable of withstanding the pressure of an explosion. Furthermore, it is ensured that the explosion inside the enclosure cannot be transmitted beyond the enclosure and ignite the external potentially explosive atmosphere.
Norm:
EN 60079-1
IEC 60079-1
Pressurised enclosure "p"
Type of explosion protection
The enclosure of a possible source of ignition is filled with a protective gas. Due to the overpressure created in the interior of the enclosure, a potentially explosive atmosphere cannot penetrate into the interior of the enclosure. If necessary, the gas is kept permanently flowing through the enclosure.
Norm:
EN 60079-2
IEC 60079-2
Oil immersion "o"
Type of explosion protection
The components which could ignite a potentially explosive atmosphere are built into an enclosure, which is filled with a protective fluid, e.g.: oil. Thus the source of ignition and the potentially explosive atmosphere are kept apart.
Norm:
EN 60079- 6
IEC 60079-6
Encapsulation "m"
Type of explosion protection
T
he components which could ignite a potentially explosive atmosphere are encapsulated in a casting compound. Thus once again the source of ignition and the potentially explosive atmosphere are kept separated.
Norm:
EN 60079-18
IEC 60079-18
Sand filling "q"
Type of explosion protection
The components of an operating facility which might be a source of ignition are surrounded by an enclosure which is filled with quartz sand. When used correctly, the potentially explosive atmosphere cannot be ignited.
Norm:
EN 60079-5
IEC 60079-5
Protection with "tD" enclosure
Type of explosion protection:
This type of explosion protection only applies to "Dust” areas, i.e.: Zones 20, 21 or 22.
In this case it is ensured that none or only a limited amount of dust can penetrate the enclosure which surrounds the source of ignition.
Here a distinction must be mad
- Dust-tight IP 6X
- Dust-protected IP 5X
Norm:
IEC 60079-0 / IEC 61241-1
