Explosive atmospheres - Part 18: Equipment protection by encapsulation "m"

IEC 60079-18:2025 gives the specific requirements for the construction, testing and marking of electrical Ex Equipment, parts of electrical Ex Equipment and Ex Components with the Type of Protection encapsulation "m" (hereinafter referred to as "m" Equipment) intended for use in explosive gas atmospheres or explosive dust atmospheres. For Levels of Protection "mb" and "mc", this document applies where the rated voltage does not exceed 11 kV ACRMS or DC. For Level of Protection "ma", this document applies where the rated voltage does not exceed 1 kV ACRMS or DC. This document does not take account of any hazard due to an emission of flammable or toxic gas from the dust. This document supplements and modifies the general requirements of IEC 60079-0. Where a requirement of this document conflicts with a requirement of IEC 60079-0, the requirement of this document takes precedence. This fifth edition cancels and replaces the fourth edition published in 2014 and Amendment 1:2017. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This International Standard is to be used in conjunction with IEC 60079-0, Explosive atmospheres - Part 0: Equipment - General requirements. Users of this document are advised that interpretation sheets clarifying the interpretation of this document can be published. Interpretation sheets are available from the IEC webstore and can be found in the "history" tab of the page for each document. Please see the foreword to this document for the list of significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition.

Atmosphères explosives - Partie 18: Protection de l’appareil par encapsulage "m"

IEC 60079-18:2025 définit les exigences spécifiques à la construction, aux essais et au marquage de l’appareil Ex électrique, des parties de l’appareil Ex électrique et des composants Ex protégés par encapsulage "m" (ci-après désignés appareils "m") et destinés à une utilisation dans les atmosphères explosives gazeuses ou les atmosphères explosives de poussière. Pour les niveaux de protection "mb" et "mc", le présent document s’applique lorsque la tension assignée ne dépasse pas 11 kV en courant alternatif efficace ou en courant continu. Pour le niveau de protection "ma", le présent document s’applique lorsque la tension assignée ne dépasse pas 1 kV en courant alternatif efficace ou en courant continu. Le présent document ne tient pas compte des dangers, quels qu’ils soient, résultant d’une émission de gaz inflammable ou toxique provenant de la poussière. Le présent document complète et modifie les exigences générales de l’IEC 60079-0. Si une exigence du présent document est en conflit avec une exigence de l’IEC 60079-0, l’exigence du présent document prévaut. Cette cinquième édition annule et remplace la quatrième édition parue en 2014, ainsi que l’Amendement 1:2017. Cette édition constitue une révision technique. Cette Norme internationale doit être utilisée conjointement avec l’IEC 60079-0, Atmosphères explosives - Partie 0: Matériel - Exigences générales. Les modifications techniques majeures suivantes par rapport à l’édition précédente se trouvent en avant-propos.

General Information

Status
Published
Publication Date
18-Jun-2025
Current Stage
PPUB - Publication issued
Start Date
19-Jun-2025
Completion Date
27-Jun-2025
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IEC 60079-18:2025 - Explosive atmospheres - Part 18: Equipment protection by encapsulation "m" Released:19. 06. 2025 Isbn:9782832704714
English and French language
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Standards Content (Sample)


IEC 60079-18 ®
Edition 5.0 2025-06
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Explosive atmospheres –
Part 18: Equipment protection by encapsulation "m"

Atmosphères explosives –
Partie 18: Protection de l’appareil par encapsulage "m"
ICS 29.260.20  ISBN 978-2-8327-0471-4

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– 2 – IEC 60079-18:2025 © IEC 2025
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 5
1 Scope . 9
2 Normative references . 9
3 Terms and definitions . 10
4 General requirements . 11
4.1 Level of Protection (Equipment Protection Level (EPL)) . 11
4.2 Rated voltage and maximum prospective current . 11
4.3 Additional requirements for Levels of Protection "ma" and "mb" . 11
5 Requirements for compounds . 11
5.1 General . 11
5.2 Specification . 12
5.3 Properties of the compound . 12
5.3.1 Water absorption . 12
5.3.2 Dielectric strength . 12
6 Temperatures . 12
6.1 General . 12
6.2 Maximum surface temperature . 13
6.3 Service temperature of the compound . 13
6.4 Temperature limitation of the "m" equipment . 13
7 Constructional requirements . 13
7.1 General . 13
7.2 Determination of faults . 14
7.2.1 Fault examination . 14
7.2.2 Components considered as not subject to fail . 14
7.2.3 Isolating components . 15
7.2.4 Infallible separation distances . 15
7.3 Free space in the encapsulation . 16
7.3.1 Group III "m" Equipment . 16
7.3.2 Group I and Group II "m" Equipment . 17
7.4 Thickness of the compound. 18
7.4.1 "m" Equipment . 18
7.4.2 Windings for electrical machines . 20
7.4.3 Rigid, multi-layer printed wiring boards with through connections . 20
7.5 Switching contacts . 21
7.5.1 General . 21
7.5.2 Level of Protection "ma" . 21
7.5.3 Level of Protection "mb" . 21
7.5.4 Level of Protection "mc" . 21
7.6 External connections . 22
7.6.1 General . 22
7.7 Protection of bare live parts . 22
7.8 Cells and batteries . 22
7.8.1 General . 22
7.8.2 Prevention of gassing . 22
7.8.3 Protection against inadmissible temperatures and damage to the cells
or batteries . 22

7.8.4 Reverse current . 23
7.8.5 Current limitation . 23
7.8.6 Protection against the polarity inversion and deep discharge of the cells . 23
7.8.7 Charging of cells or batteries . 24
7.8.8 Requirements for safety devices for cells or batteries . 24
7.9 Protective devices . 24
7.9.1 General . 24
7.9.2 Electrical protective devices . 25
7.9.3 Thermal protective devices . 26
7.9.4 Built-in protective devices . 26
8 Type tests . 27
8.1 Tests on the compound . 27
8.1.1 Water absorption test . 27
8.1.2 Dielectric strength test . 27
8.2 Tests on the apparatus . 27
8.2.1 Test sequence . 27
8.2.2 Maximum temperature . 27
8.2.3 Thermal endurance test . 27
8.2.4 Dielectric strength test . 28
8.2.5 Cable pull test . 29
8.2.6 Pressure test for Group I and Group II "m" Equipment . 29
8.2.7 Test for resettable thermal protective device. 30
8.2.8 Sealing test for built-in protective devices . 30
9 Routine verifications and tests . 31
9.1 Visual inspections . 31
9.2 Dielectric strength test . 31
10 Marking . 32
Annex A (informative) Basic requirements for compounds for "m" Equipment . 33
Annex B (informative) Allocation of test samples . 34
Annex C (normative) Dielectric strength test between circuits and environment . 35
C.1 General . 35
C.2 Batch test procedure . 35
Bibliography . 36

Figure 1 – Dimensional key for thickness through the compound . 19
Figure 2 – Minimum distances for multi-layer printed wiring boards . 21
Figure 3 – Fitting of blocking diodes . 23
Figure A.1 – Basic requirements for compounds for "m" Equipment . 33

Table 1 – Distances through the compound . 16
Table 2 – Minimum thickness of compound adjacent to free space for Group III "m"
Equipment . 17
Table 3 – Minimum thickness of compound adjacent to free space for Group I and
Group II "m" Equipment . 18
Table 4 – Thickness of the compound . 19
Table 5 – Minimum distances for multi-layer printed wiring boards . 20
Table 6 – Test pressure . 30

– 4 – IEC 60079-18:2025 © IEC 2025
Table B.1 – Allocation of test samples . 34

INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
EXPLOSIVE ATMOSPHERES –
Part 18: Equipment protection by encapsulation "m"

FOREWORD
1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of IEC is to promote international
co-operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To this end and
in addition to other activities, IEC publishes International Standards, Technical Specifications, Technical Reports,
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preparation is entrusted to technical committees; any IEC National Committee interested in the subject dealt with
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with the IEC also participate in this preparation. IEC collaborates closely with the International Organization for
Standardization (ISO) in accordance with conditions determined by agreement between the two organizations.
2) The formal decisions or agreements of IEC on technical matters express, as nearly as possible, an international
consensus of opinion on the relevant subjects since each technical committee has representation from all
interested IEC National Committees.
3) IEC Publications have the form of recommendations for international use and are accepted by IEC National
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8) Attention is drawn to the Normative references cited in this publication. Use of the referenced publications is
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9) IEC draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use of (a)
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the latest information, which may be obtained from the patent database available at https://patents.iec.ch. IEC
shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
IEC 60079-18 has been prepared by IEC technical committee 31: Equipment for explosive
atmospheres. It is an International Standard.
This fifth edition cancels and replaces the fourth edition published in 2014 and
Amendment 1:2017. This edition constitutes a technical revision.
This International Standard is to be used in conjunction with IEC 60079-0, Explosive
atmospheres – Part 0: Equipment – General requirements.
Users of this document are advised that interpretation sheets clarifying the interpretation of this
document can be published. Interpretation sheets are available from the IEC webstore and can
be found in the "history" tab of the page for each document.

– 6 – IEC 60079-18:2025 © IEC 2025
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous
edition:
Type
Explanation of the significance of the changes Clause Minor and Extension Major
editorial technical
changes changes
Specification has been extended for clarification. Curing 5.2b)  C1
conditions have been added
Dielectric strength test according to ANSI/UL 746A has 5.3.2 X
been added as alternative
Restructure of Clause 6 6 X
Deletion of the additional protective measures as they are 7.1 X
given in IEC 60079-0
For the Level of Protection "mc" faults need to be 7.2.1  C1
considered regarding the separation distances
The NOTE was changed to an EXAMPLE for clarification of 7.2.1 X
track failures
Intermediate failure conditions for components are not 7.2.1 X
considered
Clarification made about faults 7.2.1 X
Another possibility for the construction of transformer 7.2.3 X
according to IEC 60079-7 EPL "eb" added
Rating of component shall not be exceeded was added as 7.5.1  C1
clarification
Additional enclosure changed to "arc chamber" housing 7.5.1, X
7.5.2,
7.5.3
Consideration of fault conditions has been added 7.5.2  C1
Additional requirements for "ma" Equipment deleted Former X
7.6.2
NOTE 2 added for protection of bare live parts 7.7 X
Note 1 and Note 2 have been changed to normative text for
7.9.1 X
clarification
Requirement regarding the thermal coupling moved from 7.9.1 X
7.9.3 to 7.9.1 as this is applicable for all temperature
monitoring devices
The surface temperature determination for EPL Da has 8.2.2 X
been deleted, because this is given in IEC 60079-0
Acceptance criteria for the Dielectric strength test aligned 8.2.4.2 X
with the TC 31 Good Working Practice

Explanation of the types of significant changes:
A) Definitions
1 Minor and editorial changes:
• Clarification
• Decrease of technical requirements
• Minor technical change
• Editorial corrections
These are changes which modify requirements in an editorial or a minor technical way. They
include changes of the wording to clarify technical requirements without any technical
change, or a reduction in level of existing requirement.
2 Extension:
• Addition of technical options
These are changes which add new or modify existing technical requirements, in a way that
new options are given, but without increasing requirements for equipment that was fully
compliant with the previous standard. Therefore, these will not have to be considered for
products in conformity with the preceding edition.
3 Major technical changes: • addition of technical requirements
• increase of technical requirements
These are changes to technical requirements (addition, increase of the level or removal)
made in a way that a product in conformity with the preceding edition will not always be able
to fulfil the requirements given in the later edition. These changes have to be considered for
products in conformity with the preceding edition. For these changes additional information
is provided in item B) below.
NOTE These changes represent current technological knowledge. However, these changes should not normally
have an influence on equipment already placed on the market.
B) Information about the background of ‘Major technical changes’
C1 It is recognized that the new requirements were, in many cases, already applied. The
change is to ensure that they are uniformly and consistently applied.

The text of this International Standard is based on the following documents:
Draft Report on voting
31/1858/FDIS 31/870/RVD
Full information on the voting for its approval can be found in the report on voting indicated in
the above table.
The language used for the development of this International Standard is English.
This document was drafted in accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2, and developed in
accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1 and ISO/IEC Directives, IEC Supplement, available
at www.iec.ch/members_experts/refdocs. The main document types developed by IEC are
described in greater detail at www.iec.ch/publications.
A list of all the parts in the IEC 60079 series, published under the general title Explosive
atmospheres, can be found on the IEC website.

– 8 – IEC 60079-18:2025 © IEC 2025
The committee has decided that the contents of this document will remain unchanged until the
stability date indicated on the IEC website under webstore.iec.ch in the data related to the
specific document. At this date, the document will be
• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn, or
• revised.
EXPLOSIVE ATMOSPHERES –
Part 18: Equipment protection by encapsulation "m"

1 Scope
This part of IEC 60079 gives the specific requirements for the construction, testing and marking
of electrical Ex Equipment, parts of electrical Ex Equipment and Ex Components with the Type
of Protection encapsulation "m" (hereinafter referred to as "m" Equipment) intended for use in
explosive gas atmospheres or explosive dust atmospheres.
For Levels of Protection "mb" and "mc", this document applies where the rated voltage does
not exceed 11 kV AC or DC.
RMS
For Level of Protection "ma", this document applies where the rated voltage does not exceed
1 kV AC or DC.
RMS
This document does not take account of any hazard due to an emission of flammable or toxic
gas from the dust.
This document supplements and modifies the general requirements of IEC 60079-0. Where a
requirement of this document conflicts with a requirement of IEC 60079-0, the requirement of
this document takes precedence.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies.
For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any
amendments) applies.
IEC 60079-0, Explosive atmospheres – Part 0: Equipment – General requirements
IEC 60079-7, Explosive atmospheres – Part 7: Equipment protection by increased safety "e"
IEC 60079-11, Explosive atmospheres – Part 11: Equipment protection by intrinsic safety "i"
IEC 60079-15, Explosive atmospheres – Part 15: Equipment protection by type of protection "n"
IEC 60127 (all parts), Miniature fuses
IEC 60243-1, Electric strength of insulating materials – Test methods – Part 1: Tests at power
frequencies
IEC 60691, Thermal-links – Requirements and application guide
IEC 60730-2-9, Automatic electrical controls – Part 2-9: Particular requirements for temperature
sensing controls
IEC 60738-1, Thermistors – Directly heated positive temperature coefficient – Part 1: Generic
specification
– 10 – IEC 60079-18:2025 © IEC 2025
IEC 61140, Protection against electric shock – Common aspects for installation and equipment
IEC 61558-1, Safety of transformers, reactors, power supply units and combinations thereof –
Part 1: General requirements and tests
IEC 61558-2-6, Safety of transformers, reactors, power supply units and combinations thereof
– Part 2-6: Particular requirements and tests for safety isolating transformers and power supply
units incorporating safety isolating transformers for general applications
IEC 62326-4-1, Printed boards – Part 4: Rigid multilayer printed boards with interlayer
connections – Sectional specification – Section 1: Capability detail specification – Performance
levels A, B and C
ANSI/UL 248 (all parts), Standard for low-voltage fuses
ANSI/UL 746A, Polymeric Materials – Short Term Property Evaluations
ANSI/UL 796, Printed-Wiring Boards
IPC-A-600, Acceptability of Printed Boards
IPC-6012, Qualification and Performance Specification for Rigid Printed Boards
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in IEC 60079-0 and the
following apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following
addresses:
• IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/
• ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp
NOTE Additional definitions applicable to explosive atmospheres can be found in IEC 60050-426.
3.1
encapsulation "m"
Type of Protection whereby parts that are capable of igniting an explosive atmosphere by either
sparking or heating are fully enclosed in such a way as to avoid ignition of a dust layer or
explosive atmosphere under operating or installation conditions
3.2
free surface
compound surface exposed to the explosive atmospheres and/or dust layers
Note 1 to entry: Unless a compound surface is in contact with and covered by a non-metallic or metallic enclosure,
the compound surface is a free surface.
3.3
switching contact
mechanical contact, designed to make and break an electrical circuit

3.4
adhesion
moisture, gas and dust tight permanent bonding of a compound to a surface
Note 1 to entry: Adhesion provides a seal to prevent the ingress of the explosive atmosphere between the enclosure
and the compound.
4 General requirements
4.1 Level of Protection (Equipment Protection Level (EPL))
Electrical equipment with encapsulation "m" shall be one of the following:
a) Level of Protection "ma" (EPL Ma, Ga, Da),
b) Level of Protection "mb" (EPL Mb, Gb, Db), or
c) Level of Protection "mc" (EPL Gc, Dc).
The requirements of this document apply to all Levels of Protection for encapsulation "m" unless
otherwise stated.
4.2 Rated voltage and maximum prospective current
The following shall be specified such that the limiting temperature is not exceeded for the
relevant Level of Protection "ma", "mb" or "mc":
a) The rated voltage, and
b) The maximum available short-circuit current of the supply to which the Ex Equipment can
be connected.
4.3 Additional requirements for Levels of Protection "ma" and "mb"
Components without additional protection shall be used only if they cannot damage the
encapsulation mechanically or thermally in the case of any fault conditions specified in this
document.
Alternatively, where a fault of an internal component can lead to failure of encapsulation "m"
due to increasing temperature, the requirements of 7.9 shall apply.
5 Requirements for compounds
5.1 General
The documentation shall specify the compound(s) used and the processing method(s), including
measures to prevent the formation of voids.
See Annex A for basic requirements for compounds for "m" equipment.
As a minimum, those properties of the compound(s) on which encapsulation "m" depends shall
be included in the Schedule Drawings according to the requirements of IEC 60079-0.
NOTE Proper selection of the compound allows for the expansion of components during operation and in the event
of allowable faults.
– 12 – IEC 60079-18:2025 © IEC 2025
5.2 Specification
The specification for the compound shall include the following:
a) the name and address of the manufacturer of the compound,
b) the exact and complete reference of the compound and if relevant, percentage of fillers and
any other additives, the mixture ratios and the type designation, the curing method, curing
temperature, duration of curing,
c) if applicable, any treatment of the surface of the compound(s), for example varnishing,
d) if applicable, to obtain correct adhesion of the compound to a component or enclosure, any
requirement for pre-treating of the component or enclosure for example cleaning, etching,
e) the dielectric strength in accordance with IEC 60243-1 or ANSI/UL 746A at the maximum
service temperature of the compound determined according to 8.2.2 a) if available; if not
available, the requirements of 5.3.2 shall be applied,
f) the continuous operating temperature (COT) other than for plastic materials,
g) in the case of "m" Equipment where the compound is part of the external enclosure or the
compound is a plastic material, the temperature index TI value as defined by IEC 60079-0.
As an alternative to the TI, the relative thermal index (RTI-mechanical) may be determined
in accordance with ANSI/UL 746B,
h) the colour of the compound used for the test samples, where the compound specification
will be influenced by changing the colour,
i) Thermal conductivity if utilizing the alternative test method in 6.3.
This document does not require that conformity to the manufacturer's specification of the
compound be verified.
5.3 Properties of the compound
5.3.1 Water absorption
Either the compound shall be tested in accordance with 8.1.1 or, if this test is not performed,
the certificate number for the equipment shall include the "X" suffix in accordance with the
marking requirements of IEC 60079-0 and the Specific Conditions of Use listed on the certificate
shall detail the precautions necessary to protect the compound in the product from moisture.
5.3.2 Dielectric strength
Where the dielectric strength according to IEC 60243-1 or ANSI/UL 746A at the maximum
service temperature according to 8.2.2 a), of the compound is not available from the material
manufacturer, a test shall be performed in accordance with 8.1.2.
This document does not require that conformity to the manufacturer's specification of the
compound be verified.
6 Temperatures
6.1 General
The following temperatures shall be considered:
• Maximum surface temperature and
• Service temperature of the compound.

6.2 Maximum surface temperature
The maximum surface temperature shall be determined in accordance with IEC 60079-0 under
normal operation and under the conditions defined in 7.2.1.
The maximum surface temperature shall be determined using the test method given in 8.2.2 in
accordance with the supply conditions specified in 4.2.
NOTE This temperature is used to determine either the temperature class for explosive gas atmospheres or the
maximum surface temperature in degrees Celsius for explosive dust atmospheres of the equipment, or both.
6.3 Service temperature of the compound
The service temperature of the compound, determined in accordance with IEC 60079-0, shall
not exceed the maximum value of the COT of the compound.
The hottest component shall be determined. The maximum temperature in the compound,
adjacent to the hottest component, shall be determined using the test method given in 8.2.2 for
normal operation.
As alternatives, the temperature of the hottest component in normal operation may be
determined by calculation, manufacturer’s specification, or by testing the component under
intended application conditions prior to encapsulating the component if the thermal conductivity
of the compound is greater than that of air.
NOTE Thermal conductivity of air is most often defined as 0,025 W/m × K (standard conditions).
6.4 Temperature limitation of the "m" equipment
Where temperature limitation is required to satisfy 6.2 or 6.3, protective devices according to
7.9 shall be used.
7 Constructional requirements
7.1 General
Where the compound forms part of the external enclosure it shall comply with the requirements
of IEC 60079-0 for non-metallic enclosures and non-metallic parts of enclosures.
If the surface of the compound is totally or partly surrounded by an enclosure and the enclosure
is part of the protection, the enclosure or parts of the enclosure shall comply with the enclosure
requirements of IEC 60079-0.
Appropriate action shall be taken to accommodate the expansion of components and
compounds during normal operation and in the event of faults according to 7.2.
In 7.2 to 7.9 the requirements differ according to whether the compound adheres to the
enclosure. Where adhesion is specified, the aim is to prevent the ingress of explosive
atmospheres and moisture at the boundary surfaces (for example, enclosure-compound,
compound-parts that are not completely embedded in the compound, such as printed wiring
boards, connection terminals). Where adhesion is required to maintain the Type of Protection,
it shall be maintained after completion of all the prescribed tests. The choice of the compound(s)
to be used for a specific application is dependent on the task each compound has to perform.
Testing a compound once for a given application will not qualify that compound for all
applications.
– 14 – IEC 60079-18:2025 © IEC 2025
7.2 Determination of faults
7.2.1 Fault examination
When tested in accordance with IEC 60079-0, encapsulation "m" shall be maintained in the
case of
a) the most unfavourable output load and
b) up to two internal countable faults for Level of Protection "ma", and up to one internal
countable fault for Level of Protection "mb", taking into account 7.2.2, 7.2.3 and 7.2.4.
No faults are taken into account for Level of Protection "mc" except for separation distances
according to 7.2.4 and 7.4.3.
EXAMPLE Faults can include the failure of any component and a fault between tracks in the printed wiring board,
but not the opening of a track provided it is designed properly in accordance with IPC-2221.
Components which are:
– in accordance with 7.2.2 are not considered to fail;
– used within the ratings specified by the component manufacturer shall be considered to fail
as a countable fault; and,
– used outside their ratings shall be considered to fail as a non-countable fault.
The failure of some components can result in an unstable condition, for example, alternating
between high and low resistance. In those cases, the most onerous condition shall be
considered. An intermediate failure condition need not be considered.
If a fault leads to one or more subsequent faults, for example, due to the overload of a
component, the primary and subsequent fault(s) shall be considered to be a single fault.
7.2.2 Components considered as not subject to fail
For Levels of Protection "ma" and "mb" the following components shall be considered as not to
fail if they are encapsulated according to the requirements of this document, if they are suitable
for the service temperature and if they are not operated at more than 2/3 of their rated voltage,
rated current and rated power as applicable, related to the rating of the device, the mounting
conditions and the temperature range specified:
– resistors,
– single-layer, spirally wound coils,
– plastic foil capacitors,
– paper capacitors,
– ceramic capacitors,
– semiconductors.
Semiconductors which are used for a protective function for encapsulation "m" shall additionally
satisfy the requirements of 7.9.
Resistors which are used as a protective device according to 7.9 shall additionally comply with
the current limiting resistors of IEC 60079-11 for Level of Protection "ia" or "ib".
For Levels of Protection "ma" and "mb" windings that comply with IEC 60079-7, including also
those that have wire diameters of less than 0,25 mm shall be considered as not subject to
failure if they are encapsulated according to the requirements of this document.

7.2.3 Isolating components
The following components for the segregation of different circuits shall be considered to provide
isolation and are not considered to fail across the segregation:
• Galvanically separating components (for example optocouplers and relays),
+5
– if the rated insulation voltage conforms to 2U + 1 000 V % or 1 500 V
RMS RMS
whichever is greater (U is the sum of the rated RMS voltages of both circuits), or
– optocouplers and relays providing a double or reinforced insulation between the circuits
per IEC 61140 and rated for the voltage across the segregation (sum of the rated RMS
voltages of both circuits), or
– complying with IEC 60079-11 for Level of Protection "ia" or "ib".
• Transformers
– complying with IEC 61558-2-6, or
– providing a double or reinforced insulation between the circuit per IEC 61558-1, or
– complying with IEC 60079-11 for Level of Protection "ia" or "ib", or
– complying with IEC 60079-7 for Level of Protection "eb".
NOTE 1 It is not a requirement of this document that conformity to the above standards per the manufacturer´s
specification regarding segregation needs to be verified.
NOTE 2 Galvanically separating components providing double or reinforced insulation according to a product
standard are considered to meet the requirements of IEC 61140 for example IEC 60747-5-5 for optocouplers.
7.2.4 Infallible separation distances
7.2.4.1 General
It is not necessary to consider the possibility of a fault occurring as described in 7.2.1 in respect
of voltage breakdown, if the distances between bare current-carrying parts
– of the same circuit, or
– of a circuit and earthed metal parts, or
– of two separate circuits (sum of the working voltages shall be taken as the voltage for
Table 1; where one of the working voltages is less than 20 % of the other, it shall be ignored)
comply with the requirements of 7.2.4.2 and, if applicable, 7.2.4.3.
7.2.4.2 Distances through the compound
Distances through compound shall be considered to be infallible against short-circuit for Level
of Protection "ma" and Level of Protection "mb" if they comply with the values in Table 1,
provided that the distances in the compound are fixed or secured mechanically before
encapsulation.
NOTE When a suitably adhered non-metallic enclosure of a given specific minimum thickness permits a zero
thickness of compound per Key letter c of Table 4 and Figure 1, then the separation distances for the associated
current carrying parts are still considered infallible against short circuit.
Distances between the minimum distances given for Level of Protection "mc" and the infallible
distances given for Level of Protection "ma" and "mb" are not considered infallible and shall be
assessed as a ‘countable fault'.
For all Levels of Protection, distances less than those given for Level of Protection "mc" are
considered as short-circuits if this impairs the Type of Protection "m".

– 16 – IEC 60079-18:2025 © IEC 2025
Table 1 – Distances through the compound
a
Minimum distance
Voltage AC or DC (see )
RMS
mm
V
"ma" "mb" "mc"
≤ 32 0,5 0,5 0,2
≤ 63 0,5 0,5 0,3
≤ 400 1 1 0,6
≤ 500 1,5 1,5 0,8
≤ 630 2 2 0,9
≤ 1 000 2,5 2,5 1,7
≤ 1 600 - 4 4
≤ 3 200 - 7 7
≤ 6 300 - 12 12
≤ 10 000 - 20 20
NOTE The factor of 1,1 recognizes that at many places in a circuit, the working
voltage equals the rated voltage and that there are a number of rated voltages in
common use that can be accommodated by the 1,1 factor.
a
Voltages shown are derived from IEC 60664-1 and are based on the rationalization
of supply voltages given in Table Three-phase four-wire or three-wire AC systems
of IEC 60664-1. When determining the required distance, the working voltage may
be higher than the voltage in the table by a factor of 1,1.

7.2.4.3 Distances through solid insulation
The distance through solid insulation, on which the Type of Protection "m" depends, shall be at
least 0,1 mm and shall comply with the dielectric strength test of 8.2.4.
7.3 Free space in the encapsulation
7.3.1 Group III "m" Equipmen
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