Explosive Dust Atmospheres

IEC 60079-31:2013 is applicable to electrical equipment protected by enclosure and surface temperature limitation for use in explosive dust atmospheres. It specifies requirements for design, construction and testing of electrical equipment and Ex Components. This standard supplements and modifies the general requirements of IEC 60079-0. Where a requirement of this standard conflicts with a requirement of IEC 60079-0, the requirement of this standard takes precedence. This standard does not apply to dusts of explosives, which do not require atmospheric oxygen for combustion, or to pyrophoric substances. This standard does not apply to electrical equipment or Ex Components intended for use in underground parts of mines as well as those parts of surface installations of such mines endangered by firedamp and/or combustible dust. This standard does not take account of any risk due to an emission of flammable or toxic gas from the dust. Consideration of additional protective measures is required where the application of electrical equipment is in atmospheres, which can contain combustible dust as well as explosive gas, whether simultaneously or separately. Where the electrical equipment has to meet other environmental conditions, for example, protection against ingress of water and resistance to corrosion, additional measures can be necessary. The measures used should not adversely affect the integrity of the enclosure. This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2008. This edition constitutes a technical revision. The major technical changes include:
- The marked maximum surface temperature shall be measured on the external surfaces of the enclosure and the surfaces of the internal components for equipment with types of protection "ta";
- Additional protection for arcing and sparking parts for "ta";
- Test for internal enclosure for level "ta" added.

IEC 60079-10-2:2015 RLV contains both the official IEC International Standard and its Redline version. The Redline version is available in English only and provides you with a quick and easy way to compare all the changes between the official IEC Standard and its previous edition.
IEC 60079-10-2:2015 is concerned with the identification and classification of areas where explosive dust atmospheres and combustible dust layers are present, in order to permit the proper assessment of ignition sources in such areas. In this standard, explosive dust atmospheres and combustible dust layers are treated separately. In Clause 4, area classification for explosive dusts clouds is described, with dust layers acting as one of the possible sources of release. In Clause 7 other general considerations for dust layers are described. The examples in this standard are based on a system of effective housekeeping being implemented in the plant to prevent dust layers from accumulating. Where effective housekeeping is not present, the area classification includes the possible formation of explosive dust clouds from dust layers. The principles of this standard can also be followed when combustible fibres or flyings might cause a hazard. This standard is intended to be applied where there can be a risk due to the presence of explosive dust atmospheres or combustible dust layers under normal atmospheric conditions. Please refer to the foreword of the document for a detailed listing of the significant technical changes from the previous edition.