What makes a light explosion proof?

Author: Steve

Dec. 23, 2024

Difference Between Explosion-Proof Lights & Intrinsically Safe ...




There are five necessary conditions for an explosion&#;

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If you are looking for more details, kindly visit MAM.

combustible material

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combustible agent

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combustible material and combustion agent fully mixed

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confined space

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ignition source

Explosion-proof lights

A light fixture that rated to be explosion-proof means it is designed to prevent the device from being the cause of an external explosion, not that it is able to remain intact after an explosion. An explosion-proof lamp is to isolate the ignition source inside the lamp, hence prevent the contact with the external combustible gas or dust.
Explosion-proof lights are typically made of durable, non-sparking material, with a very thick glass globe over the bulb and other features to ensure that the worker and the surrounding environment stay safe when ignition occur inside the light.

Misunderstanding about explosion-proof lights

There are some common misconceptions about explosion-proof lights. Many people think the working principle behind explosion-proof lamps is by blocking the exchange of internal and external gases so that even if the internal ignition source is generated, it will not detonate external combustible gases. Nevertheless, explosion-proof lights do not have to be "airtight" to perform their function. Many explosion-proof lights allow the exchange between internal and external airflow. The important part of the structural mechanism is to prevent any explosion caused by ignition sources from escaping to harm the worker or ignite gases in the work area further.

Intrinsically Safe lights

Intrinsically safe lights are generally powered by batteries, so the current generated is not enough to cause an electric arc. At the same time, the design of the internal circuit and wiring of the intrinsically safe light can also largely reduce the risk of electric arcs occurring. So intrinsically safe lamps are more about preventing sparks and arcs from being generated, which could cause explosions.

Certification across different regions in the world

All products used in hazardous areas

MUST BE CERTIFIED

by an approved authority, and different countries or regions have different certification bodies and standards. For example, Canada and the United States use UL, CSA, ETL, etc. standard, while EU use


Comparison  

Explosion-proof lamp

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Higher voltage and stronger lighting effect

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The wiring of explosion-proof light is easy to understand and straightforward

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Made of sturdy materials for greater durability

Intrinsically Safe Light

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Explosions won&#;t happen, even in faulty conditions like broken wires or exposed circuit boards

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Most of the intrinsically safe lights are portable and handheld containing batteries

NJZ LIGHTING specializes in hazardous area lighting with a variety of models for different scenarios, highly customizable to meet your needs for safety lighting. Details can be found on our

Explosion-proof lamps and intrinsically safe lamps are twos different types of hazardous area lighting. Hazardous locations can be defined as highly industrialized areas with harsh & hazardous environments that may contain explosive vapors & gases. As a result, they require specialized lighting requirements for safety.There are five necessary conditions for an explosion&#;combustible materialcombustible agentcombustible material and combustion agent fully mixedconfined spaceignition sourceA light fixture that rated to be explosion-proof means it is designed to prevent the device from being the cause of an external explosion, not that it is able to remain intact after an explosion. An explosion-proof lamp is to isolate the ignition source inside the lamp, hence prevent the contact with the external combustible gas or dust.Explosion-proof lights are typically made of durable, non-sparking material, with a very thick glass globe over the bulb and other features to ensure that the worker and the surrounding environment stay safe when ignition occur inside the light.There are some common misconceptions about explosion-proof lights. Many people think the working principle behind explosion-proof lamps is by blocking the exchange of internal and external gases so that even if the internal ignition source is generated, it will not detonate external combustible gases. Nevertheless, explosion-proof lights do not have to be "airtight" to perform their function. Many explosion-proof lights allow the exchange between internal and external airflow. The important part of the structural mechanism is to prevent any explosion caused by ignition sources from escaping to harm the worker or ignite gases in the work area further.Intrinsically safe lights are generally powered by batteries, so the current generated is not enough to cause an electric arc. At the same time, the design of the internal circuit and wiring of the intrinsically safe light can also largely reduce the risk of electric arcs occurring. So intrinsically safe lamps are more about preventing sparks and arcs from being generated, which could cause explosions.All products used in hazardous areasby an approved authority, and different countries or regions have different certification bodies and standards. For example, Canada and the United States use UL, CSA, ETL, etc. standard, while EU use ATEX standard. Higher voltage and stronger lighting effectThe wiring of explosion-proof light is easy to understand and straightforwardMade of sturdy materials for greater durabilityExplosions won&#;t happen, even in faulty conditions like broken wires or exposed circuit boardsMost of the intrinsically safe lights are portable and handheld containing batteriesNJZ LIGHTING specializes in hazardous area lighting with a variety of models for different scenarios, highly customizable to meet your needs for safety lighting. Details can be found on our

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Everything You Need to Know About Explosion Proof ...

Everything You Need to Know About Explosion Proof Lighting

Explosion proof lighting is integral for any business that operates in hazardous environments, where potentially explosive gases and vapours are present. Employees working in a hazardous environment are constantly exposed to the threat of potential explosions that may occur if safety precautions are not implemented properly.

Therefore, it is imperative for you to understand how explosion proof lighting can benefit your business and the safety of your workers. However, it can be confusing to define what constitutes an explosion proof lighting fixture and how it differs from standard lighting fixtures. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview on explosion proof lighting that will help you make a more informed decision for your business.

For more information, please visit explosionproof lights.

What is Explosion Proof Lighting?

Explosion proof lighting refers to lighting fixtures that are able to contain sparks that could potentially ignite the flammable and explosive gases in the atmosphere. Therefore, explosion proof lighting does not refer to lighting equipment that are resistant to explosions but rather, the capacity to prevent external explosions from occurring in a hazardous location.

An explosion proof lighting fixture is typically encased in a thick frame that is usually made from a sturdy material like steel or aluminium. Ex proof lighting fixtures are also equipped with extremely durable lenses that can withstand harsh working conditions and prevent cracks, which can result in leaks.

Why Choose Explosion Proof Lighting?

Installing explosion proof lighting significantly reduces the risk of explosions by preventing the ignition of surrounding flammable gases and vapours. Furthermore, the National Electric Code (NEC) published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) mandates that all lighting equipment used in hazardous locations need to be explosion proof.

Due to the robust design of explosion proof lighting fixtures, the risk of explosions and ignitions occurring are extremely low. Thus, this greatly improves the safety of employees working in hazardous locations as well.

Ex Proof Design

In a standard light fixture, the bulb, contacts, wiring, and any switches are all directly exposed to the local atmosphere. The spark from a loose contact or the movement of the switch, and even the heat of the bulb can be enough to ignite a flammable atmosphere. In an explosion proof light fixture, any explosions that may occur are contained inside the fixture.

Components in a standard lighting fixture such as the bulb, wiring, contacts and switches are exposed to the atmosphere. As such, any sparks caused by the sudden change in energy inside the fixture may potentially be able to ignite the flammable gases in the atmosphere. Conversely, the components of an explosion proof lighting fixture are encased to prevent potential sparks or flames from escaping the internal housing unit.

However, this does not mean that there has to be an airtight seal around the components of an ex proof lighting fixture to prevent the flammable gases in the surrounding atmosphere from penetrating the housing unit. It just means that the explosion proof lighting fixture will be able to contain the explosion within its housing unit. This prevents the explosion from spreading outside the unit which could cause additional damage to equipment and injury to employees.

High Durability

An ex proof light typically has higher durability compared to its standard lighting counterpart. As explosion proof lighting fixtures are often built with sturdier and heavier materials, they are able to withstand harsher working environments. This means that explosion proof lights will not be as easily damaged as standard lighting fixtures which makes it a better option for operations in confined spaces. Therefore, the high durability of explosion proof lighting fixtures helps to reduce maintenance and furbishing costs for your business.

Greater Mobility

Thanks to being built with a stronger frame and thicker tempered glass lenses, explosion proof lights are highly resistant to vibrations. This allows for greater mobility as the ex proof lights can be transported from one place to another by forklifts or other transport machinery without the risk of getting damaged easily. On the other hand, standard lighting fixtures are not as mobile as even the slightest bumps or movement might cause them to be damaged and malfunction. As such, explosion proof lighting fixtures are more portable than standard lights, which makes it the ideal choice for businesses that require mobile illumination for operations.

Greater Efficiency

Explosion proof LED lights are more energy efficient compared to traditional lighting fixtures. An ex proof LED light consumes approximately 90 percent less energy than a standard lighting fixture. This means that explosion proof LED lights are capable of working at their original level of illumination and can last up to 100,000 hours. As such, explosion proof LED lights have longer lifespans than conventional lighting fixtures. Therefore, installing explosion proof LED lights will allow you to save on operation and production costs.

Lesser Heat Emissions

Explosion proof LED lights also emit less heat thanks to their heat saving features. This generally reduces the chances of producing sparks which means that flammable gases and vapours in hazardous locations will not be ignited.

Explosion Proof LED Lights Are Eco-Friendly

In addition to their energy saving advantages, explosion proof LED lights do not contain toxic or harmful substances, such as mercury and lead, that are harmful to the environment. Therefore, using explosion proof LED lights instead of traditional lighting fixtures allow businesses to be eco-friendly as well.

Conclusion

As industrial experts, we understand the numerous benefits that explosion proof lighting can bring to your business. Therefore, we highly encourage you to incorporate the use of explosion proof lights especially if your business operates in a confined space at a hazardous location. Moreover, the low visibility and mobility of confined spaces, such as oil rigs and petrochemical plants, makes it necessary to install explosion proof lights in order to carry out maintenance and inspection.

Supermec offers a wide range of explosion proof lighting fixtures to cater to your business needs. All of our lighting solutions are customised to meet the strict guidelines and standards in the industry. Contact our friendly sales team at  to find out more about our ex proof lighting solutions. Alternatively, you can visit our ecommerce platform where you can browse through the complete range of our explosion proof lighting fixtures for hazardous areas at your leisure.

Are you interested in learning more about explosion proof electrical wiring? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!

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