Everything you need to know about explosion-proof lighting

Explosion-proof lighting is indispensable for any business operating in a hazardous environment where potentially explosive gases and vapours are present. Employees working in hazardous environments are continuously exposed to the risk of explosions, which can occur if safety precautions are not implemented properly.

It is therefore worth considering what benefits explosion-proof lighting can bring to your business and to the safety of your workforce. Defining what counts as an explosion-proof luminaire, and how it differs from a conventional one, can be confusing. The aim of this article is to give a comprehensive overview of explosion-proof lighting, to help you choose the right explosion-proof luminaire, and to enable you to make a better-informed decision for your business.

What is explosion-proof lighting?

Explosion-proof lighting means luminaires capable of containing sparks that could otherwise ignite flammable and explosive gases in the atmosphere. Explosion-proof lighting therefore does not refer to lighting equipment that withstands explosions, but rather to the ability to prevent external explosions from occurring in hazardous locations.
Explosion-proof luminaires are generally built into a resistant housing made of a strong material such as steel or aluminium. They are fitted with an extremely durable diffuser that withstands harsh working conditions and prevents the diffuser from cracking — and with it the process by which an internal spark could escape the luminaire and cause an explosion.

Why choose explosion-proof lighting?

Installing explosion-proof luminaires significantly reduces the risk of explosion, because it prevents the ignition of surrounding flammable gases and vapours. Moreover, the National Electric Code (NEC) issued by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) requires all lighting equipment used in hazardous locations to be explosion-proof.

In Hungary, the design, selection and installation of electrical equipment is governed by the standard EN 60079-14:2014.
The inspection and maintenance of electrical equipment is governed by EN 60079-17:2014.

Because explosion-proof luminaires are of solid, robust construction, the risk of explosion and ignition is extremely low. Crucially, this also greatly improves the safety of employees working in hazardous locations.

The construction of an explosion-proof luminaire — Ex proof design

In a conventional luminaire the light source, the contacts, the wiring and any switches are directly exposed to the local atmosphere. A spark from a loose contact or from operating a switch — or even the heat of the light source — may be enough to ignite a flammable atmosphere. In an explosion-proof luminaire, any explosion that does occur stays inside the fitting.

The components of conventional luminaires, such as the light source, the wiring, the contacts and the switches, are exposed to the atmosphere. Sparks caused by a sudden change of energy inside the fitting can therefore potentially ignite flammable gases in the atmosphere. In an explosion-proof luminaire, by contrast, the components are enclosed so as to prevent any sparks or flames from escaping the internal housing.

This does not mean, however, that the components of an explosion-proof luminaire have to be hermetically sealed so that flammable gases in the surrounding atmosphere cannot enter the housing. It simply means that the explosion-proof luminaire is able to contain an explosion within the housing. This prevents the explosion from spreading outside the unit, where it could cause further damage to equipment and injury to employees.

Durability in extreme conditions

Explosion-proof luminaires are typically more durable than conventional fittings. Because they are generally made from more resistant, harder-wearing materials, they can withstand extreme working environments. This means that explosion-proof luminaires are not damaged as easily as conventional ones, which makes them the best choice for work in confined spaces. Thanks to their high durability, explosion-proof luminaires reduce a business's maintenance and equipment costs.

Greater mobility

Thanks to their stronger housing and thicker toughened glass, explosion-proof luminaires are extremely resistant to shock and vibration. This allows greater mobility, as explosion-proof luminaires can be moved from one place to another by forklift or other transport equipment without being easily damaged. Explosion-proof luminaires are therefore more transportable than conventional lamps, which makes them an ideal choice for businesses that need mobile lighting for their operations.

Greater efficiency

Explosion-proof LED luminaires are more energy-efficient than conventional fittings. An explosion-proof LED luminaire consumes roughly 80–90% less energy than a conventional one. This means that explosion-proof LED luminaires can operate at the illuminance level specified by the manufacturer for up to 100,000 hours. The service life of explosion-proof LED luminaires is therefore longer than that of conventional fittings, and installing them reduces operating costs.

Lower heat output

Thanks to their thermal characteristics, explosion-proof LED luminaires give off less heat. This generally reduces the likelihood of sparking, which means that flammable gases and vapours in hazardous locations are not ignited.

Explosion-proof LED luminaires and protecting the environment

Besides their energy-saving benefits, explosion-proof LED luminaires contain no toxic or harmful substances such as mercury and lead, which are damaging to the environment. Using explosion-proof LED luminaires instead of conventional fittings therefore allows businesses to be more environmentally friendly.

Conclusion

As specialists in industrial lighting, we know that explosion-proof lighting can bring a great many benefits to your business. We therefore encourage you to adopt explosion-proof lighting as well, particularly if your business operates in a confined space or a hazardous working environment (chemical plants, oil refineries, paint factories, paint shops, vehicle spray shops, specialised food processing plants, pharmaceutical plants, sawmills and any other facility with a high safety classification).
Pannon Lighting Kft. offers a wide range of explosion-proof luminaires to meet your business needs. All our lighting solutions are designed to comply with the industry's strict guidelines and standards.
Get in touch if you would like to know more about our explosion-proof lighting solutions.

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