SIST EN 50223:2002

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
SIST EN 50223:2002
01-marec-2002
$YWRPDWVNDRSUHPD]DHOHNWURVWDWLþQLQDQRVJRUOMLYLKNRVPLþDVWLKPDWHULDORY
Automatic electrostatic application equipment for flammable flock material
Ortsfeste elektrostatische Flockanlagen für entzündbaren Flock
Matériel automatique de projection électrostatique de flock inflammable
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 50223:2001
ICS:
29.260.20 (OHNWULþQLDSDUDWL]D Electrical apparatus for
HNVSOR]LYQDR]UDþMD explosive atmospheres
87.100 Oprema za nanašanje Paint coating equipment
premazov
SIST EN 50223:2002 en
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

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SIST EN 50223:2002

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SIST EN 50223:2002
EUROPEAN STANDARD EN 50223
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM February 2001
ICS 87.100
English version
Automatic electrostatic application equipment
for flammable flock material
Matériel automatique de projection Ortsfeste elektrostatische Flockanlagen
électrostatique de flock inflammable für entzündbaren Flock
This European Standard was approved by CENELEC on 2000-08-01. CENELEC members are bound
to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this
European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration.
Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on
application to the Central Secretariat or to any CENELEC member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any
other language made by translation under the responsibility of a CENELEC member into its own
language and notified to the Central Secretariat has the same status as the official versions.
CENELEC members are the national electrotechnical committees of Austria, Belgium, Czech
Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,
Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.
CENELEC
European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization
Comité Européen de Normalisation Electrotechnique
Europäisches Komitee für Elektrotechnische Normung
Central Secretariat: rue de Stassart 35, B - 1050 Brussels
© 2001 CENELEC - All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CENELEC members.
Ref. No. EN 50223:2001 E

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Foreword
This European Standard was prepared by SC 31-8, Electrostatic painting and finishing equipment, of
Technical Committee CENELEC TC 31, Electrical apparatus for explosive atmospheres.
The text of the draft was submitted to the formal vote and was approved by CENELEC as EN 50223 on
2000-08-01.
The following dates were fixed:
- latest date by which the EN has to be implemented
at national level by publication of an identical
national standard or by endorsement (dop) 2001-08-01
- latest date by which the national standards conflicting
with the EN have to be withdrawn (dow) 2003-08-01

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Contents
Page
Introduction . 4
1 Scope. 5
2 Normative references. 6
3 Definitions. 6
4 General requirements. 9
5 Installation requirements .10
6 High voltage tests.13
7 Cleaning and maintenance of electrostatic flock application systems.14
8 Marking.14
9 Instruction manual.15

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Introduction
Process
In the process of electrostatic flock application the flock is transported e.g. either by gravitational forces
from a hopper, or in an air stream, or by electrostatic forces through an electric field. As the flock
particles flow through the flock application device and/or the electric field they are electrostatically
charged by means of a high voltage of the order of some tens of kilovolts provided by a high voltage
generator. In the form of a cloud they are attracted to and deposited on the earthed workpiece. They stick
to those parts of it which are covered with an adhesive layer. The adhesive is set at room temperature or
by heating.
Flock particles not deposited on the workpiece (overspray) are extracted by the exhaust ventilation
system or other means into the flock collection unit.
Special hazard
An explosion may occur where both:
- the adhesives used form explosive gas atmospheres or the concentration of flock or the hybrid
mixture of both in air is in the explosion range, and
)
1
- a source of ignition of sufficient energy for that explosive gas atmosphere or flock cloud is present.
This ignition source can be, for example, a hot surface, a naked flame or an electrical arc or spark.
It follows that an explosion can be prevented if one or preferably both of these conditions are avoided.
Due to the difficulty in totally eliminating sources of ignition most reliance should be placed on avoiding
explosive concentrations of gas and flock in air.
NOTE 1   If an aqueous based or a flammable solvent free adhesive is used, an explosive gas atmosphere cannot be formed.
Although an intimate mixture of flammable gas and flock with air may burn with explosive violence, not
all mixtures will do so. There is a range of concentrations in air in which the mixture can explode, but
mixtures above or below this range cannot.
NOTE 2   If a flammable gas and/or flock cloud is confined within a space which restricts free escape of expanding gases and
combustion products the explosion may lead to a pressure increase.
Where there is a doubt about or no knowledge of the lower explosion limit, an average concentration of
3
the flock suspended in the air of 100 g/m shall not be exceeded in the flock application cabin or booth.
This does not apply to the flock field.
It is important that deposits of flock are not allowed to accumulate within the application areas for they
may become disturbed and suspended in air and give rise to an explosive atmosphere. This does not
apply to deposits on filter devices and accumulations of flock in hoppers where filters and hoppers are
integrated in the flock application area and are designed to collect the flock.
Careful attention should be given to prevent the build-up of an electrostatic charge on various surfaces
close to the flock application area. These can also be the workpieces being flocked or moving automatic
devices and fixtures of the flock application system etc. Care shall be taken that these are adequately
earthed. Of special importance is the attention needed to maintain proper earthing through the fixtures
supporting the workpieces. These should be carefully designed to minimize deposition of flock and/or
adhesives on them.
1) Flammable flock material can behave as combustible/flammable dusts.

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1 Scope
1.1 This European Standard specifies requirements for automatic electrostatic flock application
equipment which is used for applying flammable flock which may form explosive atmospheres in the
flock application area. In this connection a distinction is made between flock application devices which
due to their type of construction comply with requirements as laid down in EN 50050:1986 as applicable,
and those for which other discharge energies and/or current limits are stipulated.
It also specifies the constructional requirements for the safe operational conditions of the electrical
installations including ventilation requirements. Additional requirements as to the construction of the
flock application cabins and booths, etc. are dealt with in other standards, currently in preparation in
CEN/TC 271.
1.2 This European Standard considers the following three broad classes of electrostatic flock
application systems and two types of adhesives flammable and not flammable used in the flocking
industry:
Type A Systems complying with EN 50050:1986 with a discharge energy limit of 0,24 mJ or 5 mJ
(see 5.1.1)
In cases of flock application in association with adhesives which can form an explosive
atmosphere, the energy limit of the flock application device shall be 0,24 mJ.
In cases of flock application in association with adhesives which do not form an explosive
atmosphere, the discharge energy limit of the application device shall be 5 mJ.
In these systems there is no danger of either electric shock or incendive energy.
Type B Systems with a discharge energy limit in excess of 0,24 mJ or 5 mJ but less than 350 mJ
and a current limit of less than 0,7 mA (see 5.1.2)
In these systems there is no danger of electric shock but there are dangers from
incendive energy.
Type C Systems with a discharge energy in excess of 350 mJ and/or a current in excess of
0,7 mA (see 5.1.3)
In these systems there are dangers of electric shock and from incendive energy.
1.3 This European Standard considers only the hazards specific to the electrostatic characteristics of
the electrostatic flock process.
1.4 For other aspects, such as:
- classification of hazardous areas for example into zones;
- selection, installation and use of electrical equipment in hazardous areas;
- health hazards;
- cleaning of application areas;
- fire hazard from external sources and flammable adhesives;
- storage and handling of flammable flock outside of the electrostatic flock application installation;
- fire protection;
- explosion protection systems;
where there are no harmonized European Standards then national regulations apply.
NOTE   The use of electrostatic hand-held flock application equipment for flock material of minimum ignition energies in excess of 500
mJ only used with adhesives which do not form explosive gas atmospheres is covered by EN 50059.
1.5 This standard applies to automatic electrostatic flock applications, which have been produced after
the date of publication of the present standard and in which flammable substances are released.

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2 Normative references
This European Standard incorporates, by dated or undated reference, provisions from other publications.
These normative references are cited at the appropriate places in the text and the publications are listed
hereafter. For dated references, subsequent amendments to or revisions of any of these publications
apply to this European Standard only when incorporated in it by amendment or revision. For undated
references the latest edition of the publication referred applies (including amendments).
EN 292-2 1991 Safety of machinery - Basic concepts, general principles for design
Part 2: Technical principles and specifications
EN 344 1992 Requirements and test methods for safety, protective and occupational
footwear for professional use
EN 954-1 1996 Safety of machinery - Safety related parts of control systems
Part 1: General principles for design
EN 1127-1 1997 Explosive atmospheres - Explosion prevention and protection
Part 1: Basic concepts and methodology
EN 1149 Series Protective clothing – Electrostatic properties
EN 50014 1992 Electrical apparatus for potentially explosive atmospheres -
General requirements
EN 50050 1986 Electrical apparatus for potentially explosive atmospheres - Electrostatic hand-
held spraying equipment
EN 50053-3 1990 Requirements for the selection, installation and use of electrostatic spraying
equipment for flammable materials
Part 3: Electrostatic hand-held flock application guns with an energy limit of
0,24 mJ or 5 mJ and their associated apparatus.
EN 50059 1990 Specification for electrostatic hand-held spraying equipment for non-flammable
material for painting and finishing
EN 60204-1 1997 Electrical equipment of machines -- Part 1: General requirements
EN 60529 1991 Degrees of protection provided by enclosures (IP Code) (IEC 60529:1989)
3 Definitions
For the purpose of this European Standard, the following definitions apply:
3.1
electrostatic application device for flock
a device for metering, charging and depositing suspended flock particles with the assistance of electric
fields. This may include electrodes for forming the cloud of the flock
3.2
electrostatic flock application system
a system in general comprising the electrostatic flock application devices for applying flock, the high
voltage supply system and connecting cables

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3.3
automatic electrostatic flock application equipment (flock machine)
an equipment in which the flock application device is either permanently fixed or led by means of moving
automatic devices (e.g. robots)
In some of these machines the effect of the electrical field is assisted by pneumatic and/or mechanical or
gravitational forces.
The application equipment comprises in general the following items:
- flock application cabins and booths;
- high voltage supply system;
- electrostatic flock application device;
- flock supply and/or metering system;
- devices for the collection and conditioning of flock;
- fixtures of the flock application devices;
- jigs/resp. fixtures of the workpieces;
- conveyors;
- earthing system;
- exhaust ventilation system;
- fire protection equipment;
- explosion protection device.
3.4
high voltage supply system
voltage conversion unit comprising in general:
- low voltage section with devices for switching on and off the unit and for adjustment,
  control, regulation, limitation and monitoring of voltage and current;
- high voltage section for voltage conversion;
- high voltage switching device;
- high voltage cables.
3.5
application area
an area, closed or not, in which the flock is deposited onto the workpieces by the electrostatic application
system
3.5.1
enclosed application cabin
an area closed on all sides while flocking excluding openings for ingress and egress of the workpieces,
ducts for ventilation and the flock collection unit
3.5.2
partly enclosed application cabin
an area closed on all sides while flocking excluding openings for ingress and egress of the workpieces,
the automatic electrostatic application devices, ducts for ventilation and the flock collection unit
3.5.3
application booth
an area closed on all sides while flocking except on the side of the automatic electrostatic application
devices and excluding openings for ingress and egress of the workpieces, ducts for ventilation and the
flock collection unit
3.6
flock collection unit
unit which collects excessive flock of the application process which has not been deposited on the
workpiece
In general, the flock collection unit is connected with the application area either directly or through the
ducts of the exhaust ventilation

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3.7
workpiece
the article or substrate on which the flock is to be deposited
3.8
flammable flock material
Flock which may be ignited by an effective source of ignition and which continues to burn after removal
of the source of ignition or may react in the form of an explosion
Flock consists of monofibres usually of uniform length of either natural or synthetic material.
3.9
explosive atmosphere
a mixture with air, under atmospheric conditions, of flammable substances in the form of gas, vapour,
mist, powder or flock, in such proportions that it can be ignited by effective sources of ignition, such as
excessive temperature, arcs or sparks (see EN 1127-1)
3.10
lower explosion limit (LEL)
the concentration of flammable gas, vapour, mist, powder or flock in air below which an explosive
atmosphere will not be formed
3.11
average concentration of flammable flock in air
the mass of flammable flock divided by the volume of air as extracted by the ventilation system from the
flock application area during the same period of time
3.12
discharge energy
the energy discharged from a conductive part of the application equipment in the form of a spark which
could cause either electric shock to a person or ignition of an explosive atmosphere
3.13
antistatic footwear
footwear that has a resistance to earth, via the sole, which is low enough to prevent the build-up of
electrostatic charges capable of an incendive discharge
See EN 344.
3.14
antistatic gloves/clothing
gloves/clothing that have/has a resistance low enough to prevent the build-up of electrostatic charges
capable of an incendive discharge
See EN 1149.
3.15
antistatic floor
a floor which has a resistance to earth which is low enough to prevent the build-up of electrostatic
charges capable of an incendive discharge
3.16
minimum volumetric air flow
the air flow of the exhaust ventilation system which is to be ensured in accordance with 5.2.1
3.17
explosion relief venting
protection measures in which an area of the panelwork of the enclosure (for example of the flock
collection unit) is designed and constructed to release the excess pressure in the event of an explosion
to prevent injury to persons and further damage to equipment

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3.18
explosion suppression
a system which can detect, usually by a sensitive pressure sensor or a flame detector, an explosion in its
incipient growth stage and automatically inject a suppressant e.g. water or ammonium phosphate powder
to quench the explosion before it can develop
3.19
explosion decoupling
a system preventing the propagation of flames and explosions from one apparatus to other parts of the
installation by special devices, e.g. mechanical high-speed shut-off, rotary valve, or flame suppression
barriers
3.20flock field
the application area between the outlet of the flock material and the workpiece. The flock field is located
in the flock application equipment
4 General requirements
4.1 Application of flammable flock material shall be performed only in flock application areas which
are equipped in accordance with clause 5.
4.2 Instructions on the installation and safe use of the automatic electrostatic flock application
equipment shall be provided by the manufacturer. These instructions shall be in a language that the user
can understand.
NOTE   The instructions may be in pictorial or symbolic language that is generally understood.
4.3 The automatic electrostatic flock application equipment shall be used only by instructed personnel
who shall be fully conversant with the requirements for use laid down in this European Standard. In
addition a warning placard in a language which the operator can understand shall be supplied by the
manu
...