Resumen ATEX / IECEx

Fundamento técnico del diseño de equipos antideflagrantes: cómo se forman las atmósferas explosivas, cómo se clasifican en zonas y cómo se marcan los equipos según las normas internacionales.

General Información Técnica

An explosive atmosphere is defined as a mixture of dangerous substances with air, under atmospheric conditions, in the form of gases, vapours, mist or dust — in which, after ignition has occurred, combustion spreads to the entire unburned mixture.

The three requirements for an explosion:

  1. Flammable gas, vapor or dust within certain limits of concentration
  2. Air containing a minimum concentration of oxygen
  3. An ignition source of minimum temperature and energy
🔥 OXYGEN HEAT FUEL FIRE TRIANGLE
Flammable gasses require only small amounts of energy to react with atmospheric oxygen, such as a spark or hot surface. Therefore, the surface temperature of mechanical and electrical equipment used is also of importance.
Flammable líquidos change into vapour phase that forms a potentially explosive atmosphere near their surface. Depending on the properties of each liquid, the proportion that has evaporated into the surrounding air is determined by the temperature of the liquid.
Flammable solids in the form of dust, fibre or flyings can react with atmospheric oxygen and produce significant explosions. Polvo layers begin smouldering on hot surfaces, while a dust cloud can explode immediately through contact with a hot surface or by an ignition source.

Temperature Classifications

Protective methods have been developed and defined in standards and regulations around the world to prevent loss of life, serious injuries and significant damage that explosions can cause.

Turkey Regulation

In Turkey, "The Regulation on Equipment and Protective Systems to be Used in Potentially Explosive Environments (94/4/AT)" issued on 30.12.2006 via No. 26392 (4. rev) is in effect. This regulation is in parallel to the European Union Directive 94/9/EC.

EU Directive (ATEX 95)

Directive 94/9/EC — also known as "ATEX 95" or the "ATEX Equipment Directive" — concerns the approximation of the laws of Member States on equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres.

The two widely used ways of reducing the risk of explosion are preventing release of dangerous substances to avoid creation of explosive atmospheres, and in potentially explosive atmospheres, preventing sources of ignition by using Ex-Proof Equipment.

Zona Classification

Probability of a potential explosive atmosphere occurring, mapped to equipment group, category, explosion group and Nivel de Protección del Equipo (EPL).

Zona Probability of a Potential Atmósfera Explosiva Occurring
Gas Polvo
0 20 Always, temporarily or often present.
1 21 Occasionally present.
2 22 Very seldom or only for a short period.
Grupo del Equipo Categoría del Equipo Grupo de Explosión EPL Zonas
I M1 I Ma NA
M2 Mb
III 1G II A Ga 0
2G II B Gb 1
3G II C Gc 2
1D Da 20
2D Db 21
3D Dc 22

Marcado de Equipos Antideflagrantes

Desglose técnico de una cadena de marcado de equipos ATEX / IECEx — qué significa cada segmento y cómo leerlo para entornos de gas y polvo.

Este es un diagrama técnico que explica el marcado de equipos antideflagrantes (Ex), basado en las normas ATEX / IECEx.

Gas
ATEX / IECEx equipment marking diagram for gas and dust environments Nivel de Protección del Equipo (EPL) Clase de Temperatura Grupo de Explosión Tipo de Protección Marcado de Explosión Atmósfera Explosiva Suitability (G-Gas) Categoría del Equipo Grupo del Equipo Marcado de Protección Antideflagrante Ex II 2 G Ex d IIC T6 Gb II 2 D Ex t IIIC T80°C Db IP 6 5 Grupo del Equipo Categoría del Equipo Atmósfera Explosiva Suitability (G-Gas) Marcado de Explosión Tipo de Protección Grupo de Explosión Clase de Temperatura Nivel de Protección del Equipo (EPL) Penetración Protección Grado Protección Contra Cuerpos Sólidos and Polvo Protección contra líquidos
Polvo

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