Hazardous Area Classifications

When electrical equipment is used in, around, or near an atmosphere that has flammable gases, vapors, or flammable liquids, there is always a possibility or risk that a fire or explosion might occur. Those areas where the possibility or risk of fire or explosion might occur due to an explosive atmosphere and/or mixture is often called a hazardous (or classified) location/area.

Currently there are two systems used to classify these hazardous areas; the Class/Division system and the Zone system. The Class/Division system is used predominately in the United States, whereas the rest of the world generally uses the Zone system.

Class/Division System

Hazardous locations per the Class/Division system are classified according to the Class, Division, and Group.

1. Class - The Class defines the general nature (or properties) of the hazardous material in the surrounding atmosphere which may or may not be in sufficient quantities.
• Class I - Locations in which flammable gases or vapors may or may not be in sufficient quantities to produce explosive or ignitable mixtures.
• Class II - Locations in which combustible dusts (either in suspension, intermittently, or periodically) may or may not be in sufficient quantities to produce explosive or ignitable mixtures.
• Class III - Locations in which ignitable fibers may or may not be in sufficient quantities to produce explosive or ignitable mixtures.
2. Division - The Division defines the probability of the hazardous material being able to produce an explosive or ignitable mixture based upon its presence.
• Division 1 indicates that the hazardous material has a high probability of producing an explosive or ignitable mixture due to it being present continuously, intermittently, or periodically or from the equipment itself under normal operating conditions.
• Division 2 indicates that the hazardous material has a low probability of producing an explosive or ignitable mixture and is present only during abnormal conditions for a short period of time.
3. Group - The Group defines the type of hazardous material in the surrounding atmosphere. Groups A, B, C, and Dare for gases (Class I only) while groups E, F, and G are for dusts and flyings (Class II or III).
• Group A - Atmospheres containing acetylene.
• Group B - Atmospheres containing a flammable gas, flammable liquid- produced vapor, or combustible liquid- produced vapor. Typical gases include hydrogen, butadiene, ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, and acrolein.
• Group C - Atmospheres containing a flammable gas, flammable liquid- produced vapor, or combustible liquid- produced vapor. Typical gases include hydrogen sulfide, ethyl either, ethylene, and acetaldehyde.
• Group D - Atmospheres containing a flammable gas, flammable liquid- produced vapor, or combustible liquid- produced vapor. Typical gases include acetone, ammonia, benzene, butane, ethanol, gasoline, methane, natural gas, naphtha, and propane.

Zone System

Hazardous locations per the Zone system are classified according to its Zone. For gas atmospheres electrical equipment is further divided into Groups and Subgroups.

The Zone defines the probability of the hazardous material (gas), being present in sufficient quantities to produce explosive or ignitable mixtures.

• Gas
• Zone 0 - Ignitable concentrations of flammable gases or vapors which are present continuously or for long periods of time.
• Zone 1 - Ignitable concentrations of flammable gases or vapors which are likely to occur under normal operating conditions.
• Zone 2 - Ignitable concentrations of flammable gases or vapors which are not likely to occur under normal operating conditions and do so only for a short period of time.

• Group - Electrical equipment used in gas atmospheres is divided into two groups.
• Group I - Equipment used in mines with atmospheres containing methane or gases and vapors of equivalent hazard. (Note: Group I does not apply to offshore and is shown for information purposes only).
• Group II - All other equipment; which is further subdivided into three subgroups.
• Group IIA - Atmospheres containing propane, or gases and vapors of equivalent hazard.
• Group IIB - Atmospheres containing ethylene, or gases and vapors of equivalent hazard.
• Group IIC - Atmospheres containing acetylene or hydrogen, or gases and vapors of equivalent hazard.

Reprinted from The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement

https://www.bsee.gov

Product Options Match Wireless Equipment to Application

Analynk Wireless offers a broad range of accessories, options, and custom configuration and design services to complement their standard product offering of industrial wireless equipment. The specialty offerings can be used to extend the suitability of a standard product for a specific application, or to create a complete package with all necessary mounting brackets, antennas, cables, and other ancillary equipment needed for a complete installation. Analynk extends the same customizing capability throughout its Telmar line of process measurement and control products, as well.

The company welcomes all inquiries related to custom configuration, accessories, and turnkey system design. Share your wireless connectivity or process measurement and control challenges with the experts and Analynk, combining your process knowledge and experience with their design expertise to develop an effective solution.

Analynk Wireless Enclosure Options and More from Analynk Wireless, LLC

Analynk Further Expands Line of Hazardous Area Wireless Access Point Enclosures

New AP608 Explosion Proof Access Point Enclosure
For Meru AP-1020e

Analynk Wireless has added three new entries to their line of wireless access point enclosures for use in hazardous areas. Each enclosure is shipped ready for installation of your access point device, with hazardous area antennas, antenna cables, and custom access point mounting bracket included.

Analynk access point enclosures are preconfigured to house a specific manufacturer and model number access point. Review the entire product offering and see the long list of accommodated access points. If you want to use an access point not shown on the list, contact  Analynk for a solution.

The new models and their matching access point.

• AP608 for the Meru AP-1020e Access Point
• AP610 for the Aruba AP-204 and IAP-204 Access Point
• AP616 for the Aruba AP-228 Access Point

The hyperlinks above will open data sheets for the respective units.

Analynk manufactures a diverse array of equipment utilized in establishing wireless connections between industrial process control devices. Share your wireless connectivity challenges with the experts at Analynk and get effective solutions.

New Hazardous Area Wireless Access Point Enclosures

Model AP 412 Hazardous Area Access Point Enclosure

Analynk Wireless has added two new entries to their line of wireless access point enclosures for use in hazardous areas. Each access point enclosure is shipped ready for installation of your access point device, with hazardous area antennas, cables, mounting bracket, and antenna cables included.

Analynk access point enclosures are preconfigured to house a specific manufacturer and model number access point. Review the product offering and see the long list of accommodated access points. If you want to use an access point not shown on the list, contact Analynk for a solution.

The new models are designed to house the Cisco 2802E and 3802E Dual Band Access Points. Data sheets for both are included below.

Analynk manufactures a diverse array of equipment utilized in establishing wireless connections between industrial process control devices. Share your wireless connectivity challenges with the experts at Analynk and get effective solutions.

Hazardous Area Wireless Access Point Enclosure from Analynk Wireless, LLC

Hazardous Area Wireless Access Point Enclosure from Analynk Wireless, LLC

Hazardous Area Wireless Equipment Enclosures Ease the Path to Implementation

Analynk hazardous area wireless equipment enclosures
are preconfigured for antenna connection.

Extending or establishing wireless connections in hazardous industrial environments presents a unique set of challenges. The equipment must be housed in an enclosure appropriately rated for the environment. Additionally, the antenna must extend outside the hazardous area rated equipment enclosure in order to properly function. The antenna must also carry a suitable rating for the hazardous area and provide an approved mating to the enclosure to preserve the safety integrity of the installation.

Analynk Wireless, innovators in the industrial wireless arena, provide a series of enclosures suitable for Class 1 Division 1 Groups C&D locations, as well as Class 1 Zone 1 applications. The enclosures are preconfigured to accommodate Analynk's hazardous area antenna, which provides access to a range of frequencies that include radio, cellular, and satellite communications.

The company also provides hazardous area rated enclosures for many popular industrial WiFi access points, preconfigured with antennas, equipment mounting bracket, and connection cables.

Share your industrial wireless communications challenges with the experts at Analynk Wireless. Combining your process expertise with their knowledge of wireless communications will produce the best solution.

Hazardous Area Wireless Equipment Enclosures from Analynk Wireless, LLC