BS EN 60079-0:2004 - Page 3

Electrical apparatus for explosive gas atmospheres - Part 0: General requirements

General requirements for the construction, testing and marking of electrical apparatus for use in explosive gas atmospheres.

This part of IEC 60079 specifies the general requirements for the construction, testing and marking of electrical apparatus and Ex components intended for use in explosive gas atmospheres.

Electrical apparatus conforming to this European Standard is intended for use in hazardous areas in which explosive gas atmospheres, caused by mixtures of air and gases, vapours or mists, exist under normal atmospheric conditions of: temperature –20 oC to +60 oC; pressure 80 kPa (0,8 bar) to 110 kPa (1,1 bar); and air with normal oxygen content, typically 21% v/v.

The application of electrical apparatus in atmospheric conditions outside this range may need special consideration.

This standard does not specify requirements for safety, other than those directly related to the explosion risk.

This part of IEC 60079 is not applicable to the construction of electromedical apparatus, shot-firing exploders, test devices for exploders and for shot-firing circuits.

This European Standard supersedes BS EN 50014:1993 which is withdrawn and

BS EN 50014:1998 which remains obsolescent and will be withdrawn on 1 March 2007.

This standard is supplemented or modified by parts of IEC 60079 concerning specific types of protection. It is also supplemented or modified by apparatus standards.

This standard includes the following cross references:

IEC 60034-5, IEC 60079-1, IEC 60079-2, IEC 60079-4, IEC 60079-5, IEC 60079-6, IEC 60079-7, IEC 60079-10, IEC 60079-11, IEC 60079-15, IEC 60079-18,

IEC 60079-25, IEC 60079-26, IEC 60086-1, IEC 60095-1, IEC 60192, IEC 60216-1, IEC 60216-2, IEC 60423, IEC 60529, IEC 60622, IEC 60623, IEC 60662,

IEC 60947-1, IEC 61056-1, IEC 61150, IEC 61436, IEC 61951-1, IEC 62013-1,

IEC 62086-1, ISO 48, ISO 178, ISO 179, ISO 262, ISO 273, ISO 286-2, ISO 527-2, ISO 965-1, ISO 965-3, ISO 1817, ISO 4014, ISO 4017, ISO 4026, ISO 4027,

ISO 4028, ISO 4029, ISO 4032, ISO 4762, ISO 4892-1, ANSI/UL 746B.