According to CENELEC and IEC, hazardous locations in Europe are divided into six different danger zones. The higher the probability that a potentially explosive atmosphere occurs, the more rigorous the requirements on operating equipment to prevent, for example, origination of sparks or hot surfaces.
WAGO in Explosion Protection
Principles of Explosion Protection
Everything worth knowing about Ex protection at a single glance.
Which resources are permitted for use in a zone can be derived from the specific operating equipment and in dependence on the zone allocation. In order to specify for which zone specific operating equipment may be used, the device group and category are relevant. The explosion protection zone in which the operating equipment may be operated is defined based on temperature classes and explosion groups.
In North America, a different classification system based on the standards NEC 500 and NEC 505 is applied. Here, flammable substances are divided into three classes (Classes I to III). Explosive gases, vapors and mists of Class I are subdivided into the gas groups A, B, C and D; flammable dusts of Class II into the groups E, F and G.
Depending on the frequency or duration of occurrence of these materials, the hazardous locations are divided into so-called divisions. Division 1 corresponds to Zones 0 and 1 and Division 2 to Zone 2. In addition to the division of the explosive areas, the construction of the operating equipment and installation of the electrical systems are also differentiated.
| Gas group (group) | Material examples |
| A | Acetylene |
| B | Hydrogen |
| C | Ethylene |
| D | Propane |
| E | Metal dust |
| F | Coal dust |
| G | Grain dust |
What happens during an explosion, which factors are important, and what protective measures are available? Everything you need to know about ATEX, Ex zones, ignition protection categories, etc.
Automation
Automation under adverse environmental conditions? WAGO products and solutions are made for this.
Connection Technology
Approved for the Ex area: WAGO products form secure connections even under the most extreme conditions
WAGO at Work
Customer Applications: Explosion Protection
As a partner and innovation leader, WAGO implements many interesting projects. Learn about the creative, efficient solutions we make possible in the process engineering area.
Feige FILLING GmbH is a leading producer of filling machines for free-flowing products. It designs Ex solutions for ATEX category 1 with WAGO technology.
Contamination, vibrations, heat: As the controller for their mixed load system, Demostene + Partner AG chose a WAGO solution, which can handle anything.
In bituminous coal mining, only equipment with no danger of ignition is permitted. That’s why HAZEMAG & EPR relies on WAGO Controllers.
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