A Comparison of design techniques for zone 1 terminal t h i f t i l boxes

Key Issues
FEATURES OF Exd DESIGN ENCLOSURE

Only advantage to use an Exd enclosure is when the use of Ex components in an Exe enclosure is not possible
Many cover bolts means significant installation and maintenance time. Bolted cover often means a lower ft l IP rating Threaded or flanged covers must be regularly greased to avoid corrosion on flame path increased flame-path increased maintenance time

Enclosure CANNOT be drilled on site for additional entries due to need of pressure testing completed design

Heavy cast construction to contain 1.5 times explosion pressure

Hinges advised to avoid damaging cover when removed or to avoid need of lifting equipment for larger enclosures

Key Issues
FEATURES OF Exd DESIGN ENCLOSURE BOLTED LID EXD SOLUTIONS ARE ONLY SUITED TO IIB GAS GROUPS

Design of the gaps on flameproof enclosures according to explosion groups

Width of joint Gap

Explosion group p g p A and B

Explosion group A, B and C

Explosion group A, B and C

(IIC not possible, since the gap is widened in the event of an explosion. Ref. to 5.2.7 from 50018)

Flat joint

Cylindrical joint

Threaded joint

Key Issues
FEATURES OF GRP Exe/Exi DESIGN SOLUTION Lightweight, fire retardant GRP enclosures provide superior impact and corrosion resistance(NEMA4X) Mounting feet, molded in place Light in weight, Tongue and groove IP 66 watertight sealing system Smaller enclosures can have cut down sides, easy to be accessed and easy for wiring Enclosures can be coupled to make a modular system of unlimited size

Cable glands at bottom, plastic or metallic can be via removable and replaceable gland plates

Minimum number of Captive, stainless cover screws Certifiable EExe EEx I or EEx e [ia] GAS GROUPS IIA, IIB & IIC AS STANDARD

Key Issues
FEATURES OF STAINLESS STEEL Exe/Exi DESIGN SOLUTION Lightweight, Stainless steel enclosures provide superior impact and corrosion resistance(NEMA4X)

Light in weight, IP 66 watertight gasketed sealing system, Water Channel designs possible

Cable glands at bottom, plastic or metallic can be via removable and replaceable gland plates Captive, stainless cover screws p ,

Low cost designs possible while still maintaining IP66 and zone 1 protection with extremely high grade materials

Certifiable EExe EEx i or EEx e [ia GAS GROUPS IIA, IIB & IIC AS STANDARD

Key Issues
IMPACT RESSISTANCE OF MATERIALS REGARDLESS OF DESIGN TECNIQUE (g q p protection) ) ACCORDING EN 50014/IEC50014 (general requirements for explosion p CONFIRMS PLASTIC OR SHEET STEEL ENCLOSURES OF Exe DESIGN MEET THE SAME IMPACT RESISTANCE AS FOR FLAMEPROOF EXD ENCLOSURES

An electrical apparatus that has been tested at the lower degree of mechanical hazard, must be marked with the letter X so drawing attention to an entry in the certificate that it may not meet the maximum impact standard- ALL Crouse-Hinds Exe enclosures meet HIGH impact resistance regardless of material employed

Key Issues
Exe TERMINATIONS AND INCREASED SAFETY Definition Increased safety e designates a type of protection in which measures have been taken to prevent, with increased safety methods, the possibility of inadmissible high temperatures and the occurrence of sparks or arcs in the inside or on the outside of electrical apparatus in or on which they do not occur in normal operation. Terminals for external leads must be generously dimensioned and secured against self-loosening. They must be designed so that their contact pressure remains practically constant even in case of a temperature change within the normal range. They are also vibration resisting and so ensure a safe clamped and non heat p p producing termination of minimum resistance. g To confirm these properties the terminals must be certified Exe for zone 1 and 2 use. Together with a sealed and gasketed Exe approved enclosure maximum safety of the solution is ensured

EXAMPLES OF TERMINAL DESIGNS THAT CAN BE EXE CERTIFIED

Key Issues
COST OF OWNERSHIP COST OF OWNERSHIP IS THE TOTAL COST OF BUYING AND MAINTAINING THE PRODUCT FOR THE DURATION OF THE INSTALLATION

When considering : :Cost of procurement Annual cost of maintenance Possibility of amending enclosure ( drilling of cable entries etc) Exe materials meeting 7NM are extremely high grade Exe materials are corrosion resisting and so have increased lifetime Exe Solutions are Equally safe to a well maintained Exd solution THE SUM TOTAL IS THAT A GOOD EXE SOLUTION IS MORE COST EFFECTIVE, EFFECTIVE LOWER MAINTENANCE AND LASTS LONGER

Key Issues Summary Of Issues.

ISSUE
COST

Exd
High cost of procurement and ownership due to explosion proof flameproof enclosure.

Exe
Lowest cost solution including cost of ownership. Simpler enclosure design as Ex protection is also provided by termination design Low maintenance due to sealed and gasketed design

Maintenance after installation

High Maintenance due to flame-path care, binding of metal to metal contacts, many cover bolts Impact resistance to zone 1 standard Internal components can be modified easily within the limits of certification but enclosure cannot be drilled or modified in any way except by b manufacturer due to pressure test f t d t t t confirmations. Highest cost installation due to heavy enclosure ( not good for shipping/offshore industry )requiring stronger fixings, need of Exd gland or seal, large number of cover bolts, greasing and general flame-path care Exd is an approved zone 1 design technique for most zone 1 equipment. Perfectly safe in zone 1 or 2 IF routine maintenance is performed regulary to look after flame-path properties

Impact resistance Modification

Impact resistant to zone 1 standard Enclosure may be drilled and in some cases modified or extended on site without high risk of endangering Ex protection. Internal components may be modified I t l t b difi d within the limits of the certification by use of locallly available components. Lowest cost installation, lightweight enclosure with minimum number of fixings to close cover, Low cost Exe glands can be used, no flame-path to be concerned with Exe is an approved zone 1 design technique to house Exe or components encapsulated by other zone 1 technique. Perfectly safe in zone 1 or 2 with minimum maintenance

Ease of installation

Safety level