ExKnowledge: Explosion Protection Podcast

Comparing North American and international hazardous area classification systems. The NEC uses two parallel systems: Article 500(Division system with Class I/II/III) and Article 505 (Zone system). This episode puts them side by side with ATEX/IECEx, covering howDivision 1/2 maps to Zones 0/1/2, gas group conversions (Groups A-D vsIIA-IIC), protection method equivalents, equipment marking differences, and the challenges of cross-cer...

A deep look at the ATEX Directive itself. Explains that ATEX is actually two separate directives: 2014/34/EU (the product/equipment directive for manufacturers) and 1999/92/EC (the workplace directive for employers). Covers equipment categories I through III, conformity assessment modules, the role of notified bodies, CE marking requirements, the Explosion Protection Document (EPD), and how ATEX interacts with national implementati...

What happens after certified equipment reaches the site. Covers IEC60079-14 (installation) and IEC 60079-17 (inspection and maintenance).Topics include competency requirements (CompEx, IECEx CoPC), cable gland selection and fitting, wiring practices for different protection methods, the three types of inspection (initial, periodic, continuous), inspection grades (visual, close, detailed), common installation mistakes, and why ongoi...

How Ex equipment goes from prototype to certified product. Covers thefull certification journey: preparing technical documentation, selecting a notified body or ExCB, type examination and testing, theQAN (Quality Assurance Notification) for ongoing manufacturing, factory audits, and the differences between ATEX and IECEx certification paths. Explains what happens when designs change, certificates expire, and how manufacturers maint...

Steps back to look at the full picture after eight detailed episodes.How explosion protection works as a system: the fire triangle (fuel,oxygen, ignition source), the 13 recognized ignition sources in IEC60079-0, and the two-level approach of preventing flammableatmospheres (zone classification) and controlling ignition sources(equipment protection). Connects zones, protection methods, gasgroups, temperature classes, and EPL into a...

A guide to the IEC 60079 series and related standards that form the technical backbone of explosion protection. Covers the key standards:60079-0 (general requirements), 60079-1 (flameproof), 60079-2 pressurized), 60079-7 (increased safety), 60079-11 (intrinsic safety), 60079-14 (installation), 60079-17 (inspection and maintenance), and others. Explains how standards, directives, and certification schemes relate to each other. More ...

How to decode the string of letters and numbers on an Ex-certified product. Walks through the full marking structure: the Ex symbol, protection method codes (d, e, i, p, etc.), gas group (IIA/IIB/IIC),temperature class (T1-T6), and equipment protection level (Ga/Gb/Gc).Includes real-world marking examples, combined protection methods, dust markings, and the differences between ATEX and IECEx marking formats. After this episode, you...

Equipment Protection Levels (EPL) tell you how reliable a piece of equipment is at preventing ignition. This episode explains theGa/Gb/Gc system for gas, Da/Db/Dc for dust, and Ma/Mb for mining. Covers how EPL maps to zones (Ga for Zone 0, Gb for Zone 1, Gc forZone 2), which protection methods qualify for each level, and why EPL was introduced to simplify equipment selection across different protection concepts. More info: https://...

A head-to-head comparison of the two major certification frameworks for explosive atmospheres. ATEX is the EU directive (mandatory in 30+countries), while IECEx is the international voluntary scheme recognized in over 50 countries. Covers the legal status of each, how certificates differ, mutual recognition (or lack thereof), where each system is accepted, and practical guidance on which certification to pursue depending on your ta...

Every piece of Ex-certified equipment has a maximum surface temperature rating. This episode explains the T1 through T6classification for gases, how dust temperature limits are calculated differently (using cloud and layer ignition temperatures), and why gas group and temperature class are independent parameters that both need to be satisfied. Covers common gases and their T-classes, the carbon disulfide paradox (IIC but T5), dust ...