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Article: 'Division' or 'zone' by any other name is still hazardous. (Back to Basics).(explosion and fire risk classification systems devised)(National Electrical Code)
- Article from:
- Control Engineering
- Article date:
- May 1, 2003
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. (US). This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Not all parts of processing plants or manufacturing facilities are created equal. In fact, some areas of petrochem plants, underground mines, even grain silos pose the potential of accidental explosion, due to ignitable gases, vapors or dust that may be present.
Various classifications have been set up to identify these potentially dangerous industrial environments so that electrical equipment operating in those areas can be regulated to prevent ignition and explosion, thereby ensuring the safety of workers and facilities.
Two main classification systems have emerged: A North American system based on the U.S. National Electrical Code (NEC), and a European ...