CLC/SC 31-5 - Apparatus type of protection “n”

IEC 60079-15:2010 specifies requirements for the construction, testing and marking for Group II electrical equipment with type of protection, 'n' intended for use in explosive gas atmospheres. This standard applies to electrical equipment where the rated voltage does not exceed 15 kV r.m.s. a.c. or d.c. This standard supplements and modifies the general requirements of IEC 60079-0, except as indicated in Table 1. Where a requirement of this standard conflicts with a requirement of IEC 60079-0, the requirement of this standard takes precedence. The significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition are as follows: - addition of equipment protection levels; - removal of the requirements for energy-limited 'nL' and associated energy limited apparatus '[nL]'; - removal of the requirements for encapsulated Devices 'nC'; - requirements for electrical connections expanded and clarified; - requirements for electrical connections expanded and clarified; - requirements for luminaire ballasts expanded and clarified; - requirements for evaluation and testing of motor rotors clarified; - 15 kV limit for equipment protection by type of protection 'n' added; - spacing requirement for voltages above 10 kV modified; - requirements for restricted breathing enclosures modified; - modification to requirements for motor rotors and stators; - addition of Annex A (informative); - and undated references to IEC 60079-0 included.

This part of EN 60079 specifies requirements for the construction, testing and marking for Group II electrical apparatus with type of protection, n intended for use in explosive gas atmospheres.This part is applicable to non-sparking electrical apparatus and also to electrical apparatus with parts or circuits producing arcs or sparks or having hot surfaces which, if not protected in one of the ways specified in this standard, could be capable of igniting a surrounding explosive gas atmosphere. This standard describes several different methods by which this can be achieved which may be combined with other methods described in EN 60079-0. This part supplements the general requirements in EN 60079-0.

Supersedes EN 50021:1999 * Superseded by EN 60079-15:2005

This European Standard specifies requirements for the construction , testing and marking for Group II electrical apparatus with type of protection 'n', intended for use only in areas where explosive atmospheres of gas, vapour and mist are unlikely to occur or if they do occur, are likely to do so infrequently or for a short period only. This standard is applicable to non-sparking electrical apparatus and also to apparatus with parts or circuits producing arcs or sparks or having hot surfaces which, if not protected in one of the ways specified in this standard, could be capable of igniting a surrounding explosive atmosphere. A non-incendive part is limited in use to the particular circuit for which it has been shown to be non-ignition capable and, therefore, cannot be separately assessed as complying with this standard. This standard is applicable to electrical equipment and components of Group II, Category 3G. Such equipment is designed to be capable of functioning in conformity with the operating parameters established by the manufacturer and ensuring a normal level of protection. Equipment in this category ensures the requisite level of protection during normal operation. NOTE 1: In this standard the word 'apparatus' has the same meaning as the word 'equipment' used in the Directive. Compliance with this European Standard does not imply any removal of, or lowering of, the requirements of any other European Standard with which the electrical apparatus complies. This standard supplements, and may supersede, the requirements for apparatus for normal industrial applications. NOTE 2: The application of this standard may require the exercise of engineering judgement because of the wide range of apparatus and technologies covered. If apparatus is to be certified the relevant requirements may need to be agreed between the manufacturer and the testing station