Technical Guide

Hazardous Area
Reference,
Classifications,
and
Enclosure Data

This information is provided as simplified guide only, for actual installation use the NEC / CEC code book and IEC / CENELEC approvals and wiring codes as final authority on any installation.

Page 136
 Technical Guide
Hazardous Area Approvals and Standards for North America
The standards in North America are laid out in the following guide lines are:

The NEC ( National Electric Code ) for the USA

The CEC ( Canadian Electric Code ) for Canada

In both countries these guides are accepted and used by most authorities as the final standard on installation and
use of electrical products. These 2 guides with the issuance of the new NEC standard are almost identical.

These are standards only and equipment is not tested or approved by these national standards. In the USA and
Canada the governments have recognized third party testing and approval agencies. These agencies are
required to test equipment to published standards. The equipment tested and approved by these agencies is then
suitable for use under the NEC or CEC installation standards.

Under NAFTA and other bilateral trade agreements the governments of USA and Canada have recognized the
need to harmonize standards. To this end the government agencies responsible for standards have recognized the
following third party testing and approval agencies.

In the United States of America the government agency responsible is OSHA (Occupational Health and Safety
Administration). OSHA has authorized a group of NRTL (Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories). At this time
the following laboratories are recognized:

CSA (Canadian Standards Association)

ETL Testing Laboratories Incorporated
Factory Mutual Research Corporation
MET Laboratories
UL (Underwriters Laboratories Inc.)
United States Testing Co. Inc.
In Canada the government agency responsible is the Standards Council of Canada. Standards Council of Canada
has authorized a group of testing laboratories to certify equipment. At this time the following laboratories are
authorized:

CSA (Canadian Standards Association)

ETL Testing Laboratories Incorporated
UL (Underwriters Laboratories Inc.)
ULC (Underwriters’ Laboratories of Canada)
In addition to these two government agencies both countries have state, city, county inspectors that may or may not
accept the national standards. At the time of this publication, CSA and UL have been accepted in both countries by
all inspection authorities.

To confirm compliance to all national standards both countries require an additional indication on products tested
an approved. As an example CSA approved product to USA standards must add NRTL/C to the CSA symbol. In
Canada UL must add a small c to its label to indicate compliance to all Canadian standards.

This information is provided as simplified guide only, for actual installation use the NEC / CEC code book and IEC / CENELEC approvals and wiring codes as final authority on any installation.

Page 137
 Technical Guide
Hazardous Area Approvals and Standards for Europe and all other countries
The standards used in most countries outside of North America:

IEC / CENLEC for all countries that are members of the EC (European Community)
IEC / CEC / NEC depending on country and standards
IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) has set broad standards for equipment and classification of areas.

CENELEC is rationalizing group that uses IEC standards as a base and harmonizes them with all member
countries standards. The CENLEC mark is accepted in all EC countries. All countries with in the EC also have
governing bodies that set additional standards for products and wiring methods.

Each member country of the EC has either government or third party laboratories that test and approve products to
IEC and or CENELEC standards.

The rest of the countries in world have adopted the following standards:

CEC / NEC (North American)

IEC / CENLEC to British wiring methods (B.S.I.)
IEC / CENELEC to German wiring methods (VDE)
IEC / CENELEC to French wiring methods (NFC)
It should be noted that wiring methods change even under CENELEC this is primarily as to the use of cable,
armored cable, type of armored cable or conduit. It should also be noted that standards can change within a
country depending on the location or who built a facility.

It also should be noted there is no CENELEC standard for hazardous dust. Each country in the EC has either
their own standard or adopt the IEC general standard,

The accepted symbol for IEC/CENELEC certification is a “Ex“ followed by the protection standard symbol. The
testing agencies in Europe have variety of trade marks and symbols to indicate there approval of listed products.

Area classifications used by IEC are not directly compatible with current CEC / NEC area classification.

The IEC divides hazardous areas into “Zones” and lists product construction style suitable for those zones.
CEC/NEC defines an area based on level of the hazard and type. They then together with the approval agencies
set minimum construction standards for products to be used in hazardous areas.

The philosophy used to determine a zone area and enclosure acceptability is based on the term: normal
operation.

This is why a product that is suitable for Zone 1 in a CENELEC country can not be used in country following
CEC/NEC standards.

The CEC/NEC standards assume that abnormal conditions can and will occur and products must be designed
to operate under these conditions.

This information is provided as simplified guide only, for actual installation use the NEC / CEC code book and IEC / CENELEC approvals and wiring codes as final authority on any installation.

Page 138
 Technical Guide
The CEC / NEC (North American) Area Classifications
Class I Division I - Product must contain an explosion within its structure. It can cease to operate, but it can not
cause any damage external to itself.
Class I Division 2 - Product must not be able to ignite any gas it can come in contact with during operation or
when or if it fails. This includes any gas that may enter the interior of the product.
Class II Division 1 - Product must not cause the ignition of any dust that may be deposited on it, or in the
surrounding atmosphere. In addition no dust may penetrate the housing and deposit any material on the interior of
the product.
Class II Division 2 - Product must not cause the ignition of any dust that may be deposited on it, or in the
surrounding atmosphere
Class III product must not cause the ignition of any fiber that may be on it, or in the atmosphere around it. In
addition, no fibers may penetrate the housing and deposit any material on the interior of the product.

Class I (Explosive Gases)

Division 1 (Gases normally present in explosive amounts)
Division 2 (Gases not normally present in explosive amounts)

Gas types by group. (See list on following pages for a more complete list.)

Group A Acetylene
Group B Hydrogen
Group C Ethylene and related products
Group D Propane and alcohol products
The basic deciding factor as to which group a gas belongs is the pressure it creates when ignited

Class II (Explosive Dusts)

Division 1 (Dust normally present in explosive amounts)

Division 2 (Dust not normally present in explosive amounts)

Dust types by group. (See list on following pages for a more complete list.)

Group E Metal dust

Group F Coal Dust
Group G Grain and non-metallic dust

Class III (Explosive fibers)

Division 1 areas (Fibers normally present in explosive amounts)

Division 2 areas (Fibers not normally present in explosive amounts)
There are no sub groups for Class III areas

North American device approval rating will normally be expressed in following manner:
Class Class I (Explosive gas area)
Division 1 (Gases normally present in explosive amounts)
Group C Ethylene and related products
Temperature Rating T6 (Coolest temperature rating)
(i.e.) Approval would read; Class I Div.1, Group C ( T6 is not required to be shown as it is coolest rating )

If product is not marked Div.1 or 2 it is approved Div. 1 and suitable for either division.

This information is provided as simplified guide only, for actual installation use the NEC / CEC code book and IEC / CENELEC approvals and wiring codes as final authority on any installation.

Page 139
 Technical Guide
The IEC / CENELEC ( European ) Area Classifications

Explosive Gases
st
1 Criteria: Ascertain if a gas belongs in Group I or II
Group I - Products intend for underground mines that are subject to firedamp (Methane Gas)
Group II - Products intend for all other explosive gas atmospheres except for Group I areas

2nd Criteria: Determine type of gas subdivision (see following pages for breakdown of all gas types)
A - Hydrocarbons, Oxygen, Halogen, Sulfur, and Nitrogen (less explosive concentrations and types)
B - Hydrocarbons, Oxygen, Halogen, Sulfur, and Nitrogen (more explosive concentrations and types)
C - Acetylene, hydrogen, carbon disulfide
Note: - A higher letter gas type may be used instead a lower letter gas type.
(i.e.) C & B types can be used instead of A type, C can be used instead of A & B types.

3rd Criteria: Establish Zone.

Zone 0 - Explosive gas is continuously present
Accepted protection standard: Ex ia intrinsically safe
Zone 1 - Explosive gas is often present
Accepted protection standard: Ex ib intrinsically safe
Ex d flame-proof
Ex e increased safety
Ex o oil immersed
Ex p purged and pressurized
Ex q powder filled
Ex m encapsulated
Zone 2 - Explosive gas may be accidentally present
Accepted protection standard : Ex n non-sparking and/or non-ignition capable

4th Criteria: Temperature Rating.

T-Code - Maximum operating temperature of device. (See following pages for ratings.)

IEC / CENELEC device approval rating will normally be expressed in following manner:

Enclosure type (Criteria 3) Ex d (Flame-proof)

Group and Gas (Criteria 1 & 2) II C (Standard hazardous area, all gas types)
Temperature Rating (Criteria 4) T6 (Coolest temperature rating)

ie) Approval would read; Ex d IIC T6

Explosive Dusts
Zone 21 - Explosive metallic dusts are present
Zone 22 - Explosive non-metallic dusts are present
Accepted protection standard: - DIP

This information is provided as simplified guide only, for actual installation use the NEC / CEC code book and IEC / CENELEC approvals and wiring codes as final authority on any installation.

Page 140
 Technical Guide
CEC / NEC ( North American ) Classifications (Material and Ignition Temperatures °C)
Class I ( Explosive Gases )
Group A Group D
Acetylene 305 Acetic acid (glacial) 464 Mesityl oxide 344
Group B Acetone 465 Methane (natural gas) 537
Acrolein (inhibited) 220 Acrylonitrile 481 Methanol (methyl alcohol) 385
Arsine NA Ammonia 651 3-methyl-1-butanol (isoamyl alcohol) 350
Butadiene 420 Benzene 498 Methyl ethyl ketone 404
Ethylene oxide 429 Butane 287 Methyl isobutol keytone 448
Hydrogen 500 1-butanol (butyl alcohol) 343 2-methyl-1-propanol (isobutyl alcohol) 415
Propylene oxide 449 2-butanol (secondary butyl 405 2-methyl-2-propanol (tertiary butyl 478
Propyl nitrate 175 alcohol)
N-butyl acetate 425 alcohol)
Octanes 206
Group C Isobutyl acetate 421 Petroleum naphta 288
Ethylene 450 Sec-butyl alcohol 343 Pyridine 482
Ethylenimine 320 Di-isobutylene 391 Pentanes 260
Ethyl mercaptan 300 Ethane 472 1-pentanol (amyl alcohol) 300
Ethyl sulfide NA Ethanol (ethyl alcohol) 363 Propane 432
Hydrogen cyanide 538 Ethyl acetate 426 1-propanol (propyl alcohol) 412
Hydrogen sulfide 260 Ethylenediamine (anhydrous) 385 2-propanol (isopropyl alcohol) 399
Morpholine 310 Ethylene dichloride 413 Propylene 455
2-nitropropane 428 Gasoline (56-60 octane) 280 Styrene 490
Tetrahydrofuran 321 Hexanes 223 Toluene 480
Heptanes 204 Vinyl acetate 402
unsymmetrical dimethyl hydrazine
249 Isoprene 395 Vinyl chloride 472
(udmh 1.1-dimethyl hydrazine)
Isopropyl ether 443 Xylenes (o-xylene) 463

Class II ( Explosive Dusts )

Group E Group G
Material Cloud Layer Material Cloud Layer Material Cloud Layer
Aluminum 650 760 Alfalfa 460 200 Wheat Flour 380 360
Magnesium 620 490 Cocoa 420 200 Cellulose Acetate 450 390
Titanium 330 510 Coffee 410 220 Ethyl Acetate 450 390
Zinc 630 430 Corn 400 250 Nylon 500 430
Bronze 370 190 Cornstarch 380 200 Polyethylene 450 380
Chromium 580 400 Malt 400 250 Polystyrene 560 ---
Tin 630 430 Skim Milk 490 200 Epoxy 540 ---
Cadmium 570 250 Rice 440 220 Polyurethane 550 390
Group F Sugar 350 400 Cork 490 280
Coal (Pittsburgh Seam) 610 180 Wheat 480 220 Wood Flour (White Pine) 470 260

Class III ( Explosive Fibers)

Material Cloud Layer
Cotton Lint 520 ---
Flax 430 230
Rayon 520 250

This information is provided as simplified guide only, for actual installation use the NEC / CEC code book and IEC / CENELEC approvals and wiring codes as final authority on any installation.

Page 141
 Technical Guide
IEC / CENELEC ( European ) Material Classifications
Zone 0, 1 & 2 ( Explosive Gases )
Subdivision A Subdivision B Subdivision C
Hydrocarbons Mixtures of Ketones: Chloroethylene Hydrocarbons Hydrogen
Alkanes: hydrocarbons: Acetone (vinyl chloride) Allylene (Propyn) Acetylene
Methane Industrial methane Ethyl-methyl ketone Benzyl trifluoride Ethylene Carbon disulphide
Ethane Turpentine Propyl-methyl ketone Methylene chloride Cyclopropane
Propane Petroleum naphtha Butyl-methyl ketone Butadiene
Butane Oil naphtha Amyl-methyl ketone Compounds containing
Pentane Petroleum (including 2,4-Pentanedione Oxygen: Compounds containing
Hexane petroleum spirits) (acetylacetone) Acetyl chloride Nitrogen:
Heptane Dry cleaning solvents Cyclohexanone Chloroethanol Acrylonitrile
Octane Fuel oil Isopropyl nitrate
Nonane Kerosene Esters: Compounds containing Hydrocyanic acide
Decane Gas-oil Methyl formate Sulphur:
Cyclobutane Benzole for cars Ethyl formate Ethyl mercaptan Compounds containing
Cyclopentane Methyl acetate Propyl mercaptan Oxygen:
Cyclohexane Compounds containing Ethyl acetate Thiophene Mrthyl ether
Cycloheptane oxygen: Propyl acetate Tetrahydrothiophene Ethylmethyl ether
Methylcyclobutane Oxides: Butyl acetate Ethyl ether
Methylcyclopentane (including ethers): Amyl acetate Compounds containing Butyl ether
Methylcyclohexane Carbon monoxide Methyl methacrylate Nitrogen: Ethylene oxide
Ethylcyclobutane Dipropyl ether Ethyl methacrylate Ammonia (epoxyethane)
Ethylcyclopentane Vinyl acetate Acetonitrile Epoxy-propane
Ethylcyclohexane Alcohols and phenols: Ethyl acetylacetate Nitromethane Dioxolan
Decahydronaphthalene Methanol Acids: Nitroethane Dioxin
(decaline) Ethanol Acetic acid Trioxin
Propanol Amines: Butyl hydoxyacetate
Alkenes: Butanol Compounds containing Methylamine Tetrahydrofurfuryl
Propene (propylene) Pentanol halogens Dimethylamine Methyl acrylate
Hexanol Compounds with no Trimethylamine Ethyl acrylate
Aromatic hydrocarbons: Heptanol Oxygen: Diethylamine Furane
Styrene Octanol Chloromethane Triethylamine Crotonaldehyde
Methylstyrene Nonanol Chloroethane Propylamine Acrolien
Cyclohexanol Bromoethane Butylamine Tetrahydrofuran
Benzene and its Methylcyclohexanol Chloropropane Cyclohexylamine
derivatives: Phenol Chlorobutane Monoethanolamine Mixtures:
Benzene Cresol Bromobutane Diaminoethane Gas from a coke furnace
Toluene Diacetone-alcohol Dichlorethane Aniline
Xylene Dichloropropane Dimethylaniline Compounds containing
Ethylbenzene Aldehydes: Chlorobenzene Amphetamine Halogens:
Trimethylbenzene Acetaldehyde Benzyl chloride Toluidine Tetrafluoroethylene
Naphthalene Metaldehyde Dichlorobenzene Pyridine Propane, 1 chloro,
Cumene Allyl chloride 2,3 epoxy
Cymene Dichloroethylene (epichlorohydrin)

Zone 21 ( Explosive metallic dusts ) Zone22 ( Explosive non-metallic dusts)

Magnesium & Aluminum Flour
Metallic dusts with R=105 Ohms x cm Non-metallic dusts with R<105 Ohms x cm

This information is provided as simplified guide only, for actual installation use the NEC / CEC code book and IEC / CENELEC approvals and wiring codes as final authority on any installation.

Page 142
 Technical Guide
Temperature Ratings for North America & IEC / CENELEC
( T-Codes and Temperatures )
Temperature in Temperature in North American IEC
Fahrenheit Celsius Temperature Code Temperature Code
842 450 T1 T1
572 300 T2
536 280 T2A
500 260 T2B T2
446 230 T2C
419 215 T2D
392 200 T3
356 180 T3A
T3
329 165 T3B
320 160 T3C
275 135 T4
T4
248 120 T4A
212 100 T5 T5
185 185 T6 T6
Note: Actual temperatures may be shown instead of T-codes.

Maximum External Temperature Allowed in North America

Area of Use Temperature in Fahrenheit Temperature in Celsius
Class I Groups A,B,C & D To be determined by gases present at the area of
installation, and temperature rating of the product.
Class I Group C
320 160
Surgical type fixture only
Class II, Groups E & F 392 200
Class II, Group G 329 165

North American to IEC / CENELEC Zone comparison chart

NOTE: This is not a suggested usage chart, it is a general guide
North American Area Zone Type Area
Class I, Division 1 Zone 1
Class I, Division 2 Zone 2
North American Gas & Vapor Groups Zone Gas & Vapor Classification
Group A IIC
Group B IIC
Group C IIB
Group D IIA

This information is provided as simplified guide only, for actual installation use the NEC / CEC code book and IEC / CENELEC approvals and wiring codes as final authority on any installation.

Page 143
 Technical Guide
North American Non-Hazardous - Enclosure types
Comparison of Specific Non-hazardous Applications, INDOOR & OUTDOOR Locations
Provide a Degree of Protection Against the Type of enclosure
Following Environmental Conditions 1* 2* 3 3R* 3S 4 4X 5 6 6P 11 12 12K 13
Corrosive agents 4 4 4
Dust, lint, fibers and flyings** 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4
Falling dirt 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4
Falling liquids and light splashing 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4
Hosedown and splashing water 4 4 4 4 4 4 4
Incidental contact with the enclosed equipment 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4
Occasional temporary submersion 4 4
Occasional prolonged submersion 4
Oil and coolant seepage 4 4 4
Oil or coolant spraying and splashing 4
Rain, snow, and sleet 4 4 4 4 4 4 4
Sleet 4
Windblown dust 4 4 4 4 4 4
* Enclosures may be ventilated.
** These fibers and flyings are non-hazardous materials and are not considered Class III type ignitable fibers or combustible flyings. For Class III type ignitable.

IEC Non-Hazardous Enclosure Codes Index of protection = (1st & 2nd Figure)*
Index of protection is found by putting the first and second figure together. (ie: IP = 64 )
Note: A “0” means enclosure has no protection
1st Figure: Protection against solid bodies
IP Tests Description IP Tests Description
∅50mm Protected against solid bodies larger ∅1mm Protection against solid bodies
1 than 50mm. 4 larger than 1mm
(eg. : accidental contact with the hand) (fine tools, small wires)
∅12.5mm
Protected against solid bodies larger Protected against dust
2 than 12.5mm (eg. :finger of the hand) 5 (no harmful deposit)

∅2.5mm
Protected against solid bodies larger
3 than 2.5mm (tools, wires) 6 Completely protected against dust

2nd Figure: Protection against liquids

IP Tests Description IP Tests Description

Protected against vertically-falling drops Protected against jets of water

1 of water. (condensation) 5 from all directions

1 Completely protected against

Protected against drops of water falling
2 up to 15° from vertical. 6 jets of water of similar force to
heavy seas

6 Protected against drops of water falling 1m 15cm Protected against the effects of
3 up to 60° from vertical. 7 min.
immersion

3m Protected against prolonged

Protected against projections of water
4 from all directions 8 immersion under specified
conditions

This information is provided as simplified guide only, for actual installation use the NEC / CEC code book and IEC / CENELEC approvals and wiring codes as final authority on any installation.

Page 144
 Technical Guide
Materials Used By NRL Lighting In Fixture Construction
Lens Material Gasket Fixture Body

Glass Reinforced
Acyrlic ( Shhet )

Powder Coated

Stainless Steel

Stainless Steel
Polycarbonate

Aluminum
Neoprene

Polyester

Type 304

Type 316
Silicone

Bronze
Glass

PBT
Chemicals

Acetic acid A D A D D A D D D A D
Acetone A D D A D C C A B A A
Aluminum Chloride A A A A A A D D D A A
Aluminum Sulfate A A A A A A D D D A A
Ammonium Nitrate A A D A A A D B D A A
Boric Acid ( 10 % ) A A A A A A C B D A A
Brake Fluid A D D A D A D A B A A
Calcium Chloride A A A A A A D C B A A
Carbon Tetrachloride A D D D D C D A D A A
Chlorine Water A A D A A A A B D A A
Citric Acid A A A A D A D D D A A
Cutting Fluid A A A A A A A D B A A
Distilled Water A A A A A A A B B A A
Ethyl Alcohol A D A A A A B A B A A
Ethylene Glycol A A A A A A A A B A A
Hydraulic Oil A A B A D A A A B A A
Hydrochloric Acid (25%) A A A D B A D D D D D
Isopropyl Alcohol A A A A A A B A B A A
Kerosene A A B D D B A A B A A
Liquid Soap A A A A A A C B B B B
Methylene Chloride A D D A D D D A D A A
Mineral Sprits A A B D D A A A B A A
Motor Oil A A A D D A A A B A A
Nitric Acid A A C D D C D D D A A
Phosphoric Acid ( 25 % ) A A A A A A D D D A A
Potassium Chloride (25%) A A A A A A D C B A A
Sea Water A A A A A A D C B A A
Sodium chloride ( 25% ) A A A A A A D B B A A
Sulfuric Acid ( 25 % ) A A A A D A D D D D A
Tanic Acid ( 10 % ) A A A D A A D D D C C
Toluene A D D D D D B A B A A
Turpentine A A A D D A B A D A A
Unleaded Gasoline A A D D D A B A B A A
Xylene A D D D D B C A D A A
A. Recommended Material for long term exposure.
B. Satisfactory performance, functional after long term exposure, but cosmetic damage will occur.
C. Short duration exposure only, subject to chemical attack and will deteriorate.
D. Continuous exposure will cause deterioration of material. Cleaning recommended if used in area containing material.

This information is provided as simplified guide only, for actual installation use the NEC / CEC code book and IEC / CENELEC approvals and wiring codes as final authority on any installation.

Page 145