Flameproof Motors

Reliability and Safety for Hazardous Areas

European and IEC standards

Classification of hazardous locations Continuous presence

According to European Directive 94/9/EC (ATEX),
IEC 60079.10, EN 60079.10 and NEC 505,
Presence during normal operations
hazardous areas are differentiated according to
how frequently and over which period of time
Presence just in case of failure
a hazardous concentration of an explosive or abnormal operations
mixture is present.

Gas symbol G Zone Criteria presence of gas

Category 1 Zone 0 Continuously or very long period
Category 2 Zone 1 Present in normal operation
Category 3 Zone 2 Unlikely but if present, only for a short time

In zone 0 no electrical motors can be installed. Most common motor for zone 1 is flameproof design,
but it can also be used in zone 2.

Application groups
Depending on the intended use, explosion-proof electrical operating equipment is
divided into two major groups:

Group I Equipment for coal mines (only special designed motors for mines can be used)
Group II Electrical equipment for use other than mines (surface industry)

Group II motors with flameproof enclosure are still further divided

into gas groups:

IIA Propane
IIB Ethylene
IIC Acetylene, Hydrogen (**)
(**) Acc. to NEC 505, hydrogen can be classified as Group IIB+H2

The gases are classified according to their ability to penetrate defined gaps

North American Rules (NEC and CEC)

NEC (National Electric Code) and CEC (Canadian Electric Code) nowadays have two systems
for classifying hazardous areas.
The traditional division system and the new zone system, which refers to IEC standards.

Comparison between division and zone system Hazardous materials acc. division system
Division system Zone system Incidence Classes Explosive material
Division I Zone 0 Continuously Class I Gases and vapours
Zone 1 or occasionally Class II Dusts
Division II Zone 2 In abnormal conditions Class III Fibres

July 2003; all equipment both electrical High voltage motors have been
and non-electrical put on the market in certified by CSA. Motors comply with
hazardous areas shall comply with: UL standards for Electrical Equipment
European Directive 94/9/EC (ATEX) for use in Class I, Zone 1 and 2.
Range
IEC frame sizes 80 - 710, from 0.055 to 4500 kW EEx d IIB/IIC T4, Low and High voltage motors
EEx d IIB/IIC T4, flameproof enclosure
EEx de IIB/IIC T4, increased safety terminal box

Reliability and Safety

The flameproof enclosure design has the following features and benefits:
• Keeps an explosion which takes place inside the enclosure from
propagating through gaps to the ambient
• Withstands the explosion pressure created inside the enclosures
• All surface temperatures are selected to comply with the temperature class
• Benefits when dealing with special operating modes such as heavy starts,
switching operations or converter-powered operation
• Suitability for use in temperature classes T5 and T6
• Can be used both in zone1 and zone2

Maintainability
• Only specified workshops are allowed to make changes and services to
motors for hazardous areas
• ABB worldwide service network offers you service and maintenance for
flameproof motors

Availability
• Low voltage motors up to about 100 kW are available from central stocks
 Waasa Graphics Oy, 2002-09/5000. Printed in Finand.
Industrial IT
As a key element of its business strategy, ABB has committed to a broad program of product development and
positioning under the Industrial IT umbrella. This initiative is geared towards increasing standardization of ABB
products as the ’building blocks’ of larger solutions, while incorporating functionality that will allow multiple products
to interact seamlessly as components of real-time automation and information systems.
Motors and generators represent one of the fundamental buildiing blocks in the Industrial IT architecture.

ABB (www.abb.com) is a leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility and industry customers
to improve performance while lowering environmental impacts. The ABB Group of companies operates in more
than 100 countries and employs about 150,000 people.

Brochure BA/Flameproof GB 09-2002

http://www.abb.com/motors&drives
http://online.abb.com/motors&drives