4 Reasons for using explosion-proof lights in hazardous ...

07 Oct.,2024

 

4 Reasons for using explosion-proof lights in hazardous ...

The industrialization has grown manifolds in the past 2-3 decades and will continue to do so with the rising technology and innovations giving birth to new products. But with the rising industrialization, safety is also becoming a key challenge for businesses. Industries such as petrochemicals, oil and pharmaceuticals have always been considered sensitive places to work. These places usually have combustible working environments due to the kind of materials processed therein. In these ultra-sensitive places, the safety and security of the workers and investments as a whole should be devoid of any vulnerabilities. High-quality safety equipment should be an integral part of the security infrastructure to avoid unwanted accidents. One such safety equipment is the Explosion proof lights, which are considered a crucial investment in high-risk working areas.

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Reasons for using explosion-proof lights in hazardous areas:

1. Eliminating chances of catastrophic accidents

What makes an industrial area hazardous is the presence of inflammable gases and other such materials in the atmosphere. Due to this vulnerability, normal lights cannot be used in these areas as there is a higher chance of a short circuit or spark causing an explosion and turning the property into ashes.Here the role of explosion-proof lights becomes absolutely essential. What these lights do is restrict or contain any spark arising from an inner short circuit or whatever reason, within the framework, and prevent that electric spark from mixing with the materials in the environment.

2. Rugged design &#; Peace of mind

Another crucial aspect of using ex-proof lights in a hazardous area is the solid design that acts as a shield against any internal emission of spark. The explosion-proof lights do not mean they can withstand explosions, rather, it implies that it can prevent any spark from escaping the lighting encase and mingle with the combustible material or gas in the surrounding atmosphere. For example, Explosion proof flashlights are used in no light or low light situations. The design of the torch or flashlight must be strong enough to protect the inner components from coming in contact with the explosive particles. Some products come with a solid aluminum alloy shell which is anodized and gone under sandblasting process. These solidify the support to the body and fend off any explosive particles from interacting with the inner machinery. Likewise, the explosion-proof emergency lights, explosion-proof linear lights, explosion-proof HID lights, etc., works on the same pattern.

3. ATEX certification &#; Brings value to the business

Today, safety has become an important issue given the number of accidents happening across the world. Set aside Chornobyl, even small passenger cars are coming up with solid safety features and global safety ratings. Similarly, ATEX is a European Union directive that describes the minimum level of safety required for industries, warehouses, and the equipment in use. Almost all explosion-proof lights come with ATEX certification, and this means these lights are safe to use in high-risk explosive working environments. The ATEX-certified lights can also bring value to the business as it indicates that the industrial organization is serious about the safety of their workers.

4. High return on investment

The advancement in industrialization is unstoppable, and this can be good news for entrepreneurs. Some surveys reveal that the market for explosion-proof lights will escalate at an enormous rate, with a projected growth of $471 million in from $340 million in . It also means the manufacturing and industries will be growing at a rapid pace, which will also propel the penetration of these products in different sectors. Secondly, these safety lights are durable, consume less energy, prevent frequent maintenance, and save on health insurance premiums of the workers. All this can be translated into a good return on investment in the long run. So, installing suitable lighting systems in the industrial premises can be the most pragmatic idea to keep the employees safe while saving considerably on maintenance costs.

Choose ATEX certified ex-proof lights from SharpEagle

Globalization has led to immense growth in every sector, and with the expansion of industries, more and more people will join the workforce. That means additional safety has to be deployed to ensure adequate protection of the workers and prevent loss of properties. SharpEagle, with its several years of experience in providing safety solutions, has an array of explosion-proof safety lights that not only guarantees the well-being of your staff, but also increase the value of your business, and make you stand out from the crowd. From exproof LED lights to exproof proof flashlights, ex-proof work lights, exproof linear lights and exproof emergency lights, all come with the solid build quality and LED lighting source, providing a befitting advantage to your business. Call us today for your requirements, and we will make sure you choose the right product and installation that comes with peace of mind.

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LED Explosion Proof Lighting For Hazardous Areas

Explosion Proof Lighting Requirements

Environments containing explosive materials, flammable gasses, vapors or dust require the shielding of any possible ignition source in order to maintain a safe workplace. As these environments are almost always indoors, they require artificial illumination in order to ensure proper visibility and safety for personnel. The light fixtures used for this must meet a number of different requirements, including being specifically designed and certified being explosion proof per the UL 844 Standard.

UL 844 Standard certified explosion proof lighting is unique when compared to traditional fixtures in the way in which it is constructed. Unlike most light fixtures which have unshielded electronics, and enclosures that are open to air, explosion proof fixtures are specifically designed to shield and separate electronics and electrical components from the outside environment. They also must be impact and shock resistant in the event of an accident in order to prevent exposing their electronics to the outside atmosphere.

Our specialized explosion proof lighting is designed to meet all NEMA requirements for hazardous environments. They feature sealed impact resistant non-conductive aluminum housings and can be mounted in a variety of different manners to work in different environments. With heavy duty lenses and thoroughly shielded electronics, they are ideal for any hazardous environment that requires serious lumen output.

Classes and Divisions for Hazardous Area Lighting

Class I, Division 1 &#; Class I Division 1 lights are necessary in areas where concentrations of vapors, liquids, or gasses such as gasoline exist within the environment under typical operating conditions.

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Class I, Division 2 &#; Class I Division 2 lights are necessary in areas where concentrations of vapors, liquids, or gasses such as gasoline exist within the environment under atypical operating conditions.

Class II, Division 1 &#; Class II Division 1 lights are necessary in areas where combustible dust such as coal exists within the environment under typical operating conditions.

Class II, Division 2 &#; Class II Division 2 lights are necessary in areas where combustible dust such as coal exists within the environment under atypical operating conditions.

Class III, Division 1 &#; Class III Division 1 lights are necessary in areas where ignitable fibers or combustible flyings such as sawdust exist within the environment under typical operating conditions.

Class III, Division 2 &#; Class III Division 2 lights are necessary in areas where ignitable fibers or combustible flyings such as sawdust exist within the environment under atypical operating conditions.

Explosion Proof Lighting Groups

Explosion-proof lighting fixtures are classified into various letter groupings to identify the types of hazardous materials they are designed to safely operate around. These letter groupings, usually ranging from Group A to Group G, are part of a classification system that denotes which types of gases, vapors, and dusts the lighting fixture can be safely used with.

  • Group A: Acetylene
  • Group B: Hydrogen, butadiene, ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, acrolein
  • Group C: Ethylene, carbon monoxide
  • Group D: Propane, gasoline, naphtha, benzene, butane, ethyl alcohol, acetone, methane
  • Group E: Metal dust including aluminum, magnesium
  • Group F: Carbonaceous dust including coal, carbon black, coke
  • Group G: Grain, flour, wood, plastic, and chemical dust

Understanding these letter groupings is essential for ensuring the safe operation of lighting fixtures in hazardous environments. Always consult with an expert or refer to the specific guidelines and standards, such as those provided by organizations like the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) or Underwriters Laboratories (UL), when selecting explosion-proof lighting.

Explosion Proof Lighting Standards

Standards are typically set by organizations such as the National Electrical Code (NEC) in the United States, or the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization (CENELEC) in Europe, and others depending on the region. Other organizations that set explosion proof lighting standards include,

  • National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA): NEMA is a U.S.-based organization that sets standards for various types of electrical equipment, including explosion-proof lighting.
  • Underwriters Laboratories (UL): UL is a global safety certification company that sets standards and provides testing for a wide range of products, including explosion-proof lighting. In the U.S., UL Standard 844 covers luminaires for use in hazardous locations.
  • International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC): The IEC is an international standards organization that prepares and publishes standards for electrical, electronic, and related technologies. Their standards, including the IECEx system, cover explosion-proof equipment.
  • ATEX Directive (European Union): The ATEX Directive sets forth requirements for equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres in the European Union.
  • National Fire Protection Association (NFPA): The NFPA publishes the National Electrical Code (NEC), which includes guidelines for installing electrical equipment in hazardous locations in the U.S.
  • Canadian Standards Association (CSA): In Canada, the CSA sets the standards for explosion-proof lighting.

Each of these organizations has their own set of regulations, codes, and certifications for explosion-proof lighting to ensure safety in hazardous environments. Depending on the specific location and application, different standards may apply.