TECHNICAL REPORT

ISA–TR12.2–1995

Intrinsically Safe System

Assessment Using the
Entity Concept

Approved 2 January 1995

COPYRIGHT 2000 Instrument Society of America

Information Handling Services, 2000
 ISA-TR12.2, Intrinsically Safe System Assessment Using the Entity Concept

ISBN: 1-55617-559-0

Copyright © 1995 by the Instrument Society of America. All rights reserved. Printed in the United
States of America. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or
transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or
otherwise), without the prior written permission of the publisher.

ISA
67 Alexander Drive
P.O. Box 12277
Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709

COPYRIGHT 2000 Instrument Society of America

Information Handling Services, 2000
 Preface

This preface is included for informational purposes and is not part of ISA-TR12.2.
This technical report has been prepared as part of the service of ISA, the international society for
measurement and control, toward a goal of uniformity in the field of instrumentation. To be of real
value, this document should not be static, but should be subject to periodic review. Toward this
end, the Society welcomes all comments and criticisms, and asks that they be addressed to the
Secretary, Standards and Practices Board, International Society for Measurement and Control,
67 Alexander Drive, P. O. Box 12277, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, Telephone (919) 990-
9227, Fax (919) 549-8288, e-mail: [email protected].
The ISA Standards and Practices Department is aware of the growing need for attention to the
metric system of units in general, and the International System of Units (SI) in particular, in the
preparation of instrumentation standards, recommended practices, and technical reports. The
Department is further aware of the benefits to U.S.A. users of ISA standards of incorporating
suitable references to the SI (and the metric system) in their business and professional dealings
with other countries. Toward this end, this Department will endeavor to introduce SI-acceptable
metric units in all new and revised standards to the greatest extent possible. The Metric Practice
Guide, which has been published by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers as
ANSI/IEEE Std. 268-1992, and future revisions, will be the reference guide for definitions,
symbols, abbreviations, and conversion factors.
It is the policy of ISA to encourage and welcome the participation of all concerned individuals and
interests in the development of ISA documents. Participation in the ISA standards-making
process by an individual in no way constitutes endorsement by the employer of that individual, of
ISA, or of any of the standards, recommended practices, and technical reports that ISA develops.
The information contained in the preface, footnotes, and appendices is included for information
only and is not a part of the standard.
The SP12.2 committee wishes to give special recognition to Mr. Brad Larson for his outstanding
contribution to the development of this document.

The following people served as members of ISA Subcommittee SP12.2:

NAME COMPANY

*R. Weinzler Eastman Kodak Company

*D. Bishop Chevron USA Production Company
*N. Abbatiello Eastman Kodak Company
R. Amin Dow Corning, Inc.
P. Austen Electronic Design Control
*P. Babiarz Crouse-Hinds Company
A. Bartkus Underwriters Labs, Inc.
*W. Calder III Foxboro Company
U. Dugar Mobil Chemical Company
A. Engler Applied Automation, Inc.

*One vote per company

ISA-TR12.2-1995 3
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 NAME COMPANY

T. Feindel R. Stahl, Inc.

W. Fiske Electrical Testing Labs
G. Havens Bently Nevada Corporation
S. Jackson Elcon Instruments, Inc.
B. Larson Pepperl + Fuchs, Inc.
D. Li Canadian Standards Association
E. Magison Honeywell, Inc.
R. Masek Bailey Controls Company
D. Martell Dastech, Inc.
F. McGowan Factory Mutual Research Corporation
*A. Mobley 3M Company
*S. Norako Crouse-Hinds Company
*E. Olson 3M Company
C. Oudar MTL, Inc.
A. Page III MSHA Certification Center
N. Posey Union Carbide Corporation
*M. Rains Foxboro Company
T. Schnaare Rosemount, Inc.
C. Short, Jr. Conco, Inc.
L. Truscott Motorola, Inc.

The following people served as members of ISA Committee SP12:

NAME COMPANY

*F. McGowan, Chairman Factory Mutual Research Corporation

J. Bossert, Co-Chairman Hazloc, Inc.
D. Bishop, Managing Director Chevron USA Production Company
*N. Abbatiello Eastman Kodak Company
W. Alexander Mine Safety Appliance Company
*P. Babiarz Crouse-Hinds Company
*A. Ballard Crouse-Hinds Company
A. Bartkus Underwriters Labs, Inc.
G. Bentinck E. I. du Pont de Nemours, Inc.
K. Blayden Upjohn Company
R. Brodin Fisher Controls International, Inc.
M. Buettner Ralston Purina Company
R. Buschart PC & E, Inc.
W. Butryn Northern Engineering
H. Conner Consultant
J. Cospolich Waldemar S. Nelson & Company, Inc.
*E. Cranch Drexelbrook Engineering Company
U. Dugar Mobil Chemical Company
A. Engler Applied Automation, Inc.
T. Feindel R. Stahl, Inc.
W. Fiske Electrical Testing Labs

*One vote per company

4 ISA-TR12.2-1995
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 NAME COMPANY

G. Garcha Stetson Harza

B. Gibson ABB Taylor Instruments, Inc.
J. Greenwald Fina Oil & Chemical Company
*E. Henning Fischer & Porter Company
X. Jianping Shanghai Inst. of Process Auto Instrumentation
*F. Kent Honeywell, Inc.
M. Kiselew Corpoven S.A.
J. Kuczka Killark Electric Manufacturing Company
T. Lagana Hercules, Inc.
R. Landman U.S. Coast Guard
*B. Larson Pepperl + Fuchs, Inc.
T. Lewis, Jr. Consultant
D. Li Canadian Standards Association
V. Maggioli Feltronics Corporation
*E. Magison Honeywell, Inc.
*F. Maltby Drexelbrook Engineering Company
R. Masek Bailey Controls Company
A. Maynard Consultant
D. McDermott Dexion House
*A. Mobley 3M Company
*W. Mueller Pepperl + Fuchs, Inc.
E. Nesvig ERDCO Engineering Corporation
*B. Northam Factory Mutual Research Corporation
R. Novack Consultant
J. Nusser San Antonio ALC
*E. Olson 3M Company
A. Page III MSHA Certification Center
*R. Patsch Drexelbrook Engineering Company
A. Poli Retired/Consultant
G. Posner Consultant
T. Schnaare Rosemount, Inc.
A. Stafford Foxboro Company
D. Stevens Chevron USA
T. Tetrick Dataware Electronics, Inc.
J. Thomason OMNI Industrial Systems, Inc.
P. Thurnherr Thuba, Ltd.
L. Truscott Motorola, Inc.
*P. Turner 3M Company
D. Wechsler Union Carbide Corporation
*R. Weinzler Eastman Kodak Company
Z. Zborovszky U.S. Bureau of Mines

*One vote per company

ISA-TR12.2-1995 5
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 This technical report was approved for publication by the ISA Standards and Practices Board
in 1995.

NAME COMPANY

M. Widmeyer, Vice President Washington Public Power Supply System

H. Baumann H. D. Baumann & Associates, Ltd.
D. Bishop Chevron USA Production Company
P. Brett Honeywell, Inc.
W. Calder III Foxboro Company
R. Dieck Pratt & Whitney
C. Gross Dow Chemical Company
H. Hopkins Utility Products of Arizona
A. Iverson Lyondell Petrochemical Company
K. Lindner Endress + Hauser GmbH + Company
T. McAvinew Metro Wastewater Reclamation District
A. McCauley, Jr. Chagrin Valley Controls, Inc.
G. McFarland ABB Power Plant Controls
J. Mock Bechtel
E. Montgomery Fluor Daniel, Inc.
D. Rapley Rapley Engineering Services
R. Reimer Allen-Bradley Company
J. Rennie Factory Mutual Research Corporation
R. Webb Pacific Gas & Electric Company
W. Weidman Gilbert Commonwealth, Inc.
J. Weiss Electric Power Research Institute
J. Whetstone National Institute of Standards & Technology
C. Williams Eastman Kodak Company
G. Wood Graeme Wood Consulting
M. Zielinski Rosemount, Inc.

6 ISA-TR12.2-1995
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 Contents

1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 9

2 The intrinsic safety protection technique .......................................................................... 9

3 Intrinsically safe systems .................................................................................................... 9

4 Intrinsically safe system control drawings ...................................................................... 10

5 Entity concept .................................................................................................................... 11

6 Entity parameters ............................................................................................................... 11

7 Entity concept control drawings ...................................................................................... 12

8 Assessing the intrinsic safety of simple loops ............................................................... 13

9 Loop operation considerations ........................................................................................ 14

10 Special considerations for multi-channel associated apparatus loops ....................... 14

11 Assessing the intrinsic safety of complex loops ............................................................ 16

12 Intrinsically safe apparatus that adds energy to the loop .............................................. 20

13 Considerations for intrinsically safe bus systems ......................................................... 22

14 Conclusion .......................................................................................................................... 23

15 References .......................................................................................................................... 23

Figures
1 — Example of a typical control drawing ............................................................................ 10
2 — Control drawing for an intrinsically safe apparatus examined under the
entity concept................................................................................................................ 12
3 — Control drawing for an associated apparatus examined
under the entity concept ............................................................................................... 13
4 — Two-wire loop with neither conductor connected to ground using
two single-channel associated apparatus..................................................................... 14
5 — Two-wire loop with neither conductor connected to ground using
one dual-channel associated apparatus ....................................................................... 15
6 — Control drawing for two-channel associated apparatus with Vt and lt
parameters.................................................................................................................... 16
7 — Complex loop with two intrinsically safe apparatus and three
two-channel associated apparatus ............................................................................... 17
8 — Control drawing for three two-channel associated apparatus with Vt and lt ................. 18
9 — Control drawing for intrinsically safe apparatus with multiple circuits ........................... 19
10 — Control drawing for intrinsically safe apparatus ............................................................ 19
11 — Control drawing for a hand-held communicator............................................................ 21
12 — Typical intrinsically safe bus configuration.................................................................... 22

ISA-TR12.2-1995 7
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COPYRIGHT 2000 Instrument Society of America
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 1 Introduction

When electrical equipment is used in locations where fire or explosion hazards may exist due to
flammable gases or vapors, flammable liquids, combustible dust, or ignitible fibers or flyings, the
National Electrical Code (NEC)®, NFPA 70, requires special precautions to be taken in
equipment construction and installation to ensure safe performance. There are several
protection techniques in common use, each of which has its own set of advantages and
disadvantages.

2 The intrinsic safety protection technique

For low-power applications in Division 1 hazardous (classified) locations, the safest and most
easily implemented protection technique is intrinsic safety. Intrinsic safety is the use of
equipment and wiring that is incapable of releasing sufficient electrical or thermal energy under
normal or abnormal conditions to cause ignition of a specific hazardous atmospheric mixture in
its most easily ignited concentration. This is achieved by limiting the energy available to, and
stored or generated by, the electrical equipment in the hazardous (classified) location to a level
below that which can ignite the hazardous atmosphere.

3 Intrinsically safe systems

Article 504 of the NEC ® defines an intrinsically safe system as "an assembly of interconnected
intrinsically safe apparatus, associated apparatus, and interconnecting cables in which those
parts of the system that may be used in hazardous (classified) locations are intrinsically safe
circuits." Intrinsically safe apparatus is defined in Article 504 as electrical equipment "in which all
the circuits are intrinsically safe." A common example of an intrinsically safe apparatus is a
4-20 mA process transmitter that has been specially designed to be intrinsically safe.
Unless completely self-contained, as is the case with some battery-operated devices, intrinsically
safe apparatus must be connected to associated apparatus. Associated apparatus is defined in
Article 504 as "apparatus in which the circuits are not necessarily intrinsically safe themselves,
but that affect the energy in the intrinsically safe circuits and are relied upon to maintain intrinsic
safety." Associated apparatus must be installed in a location not classified as hazardous unless
it has an alternative type of protection that allows it to be installed in a hazardous (classified)
location.
The most common form of associated apparatus is the intrinsic safety barrier, a device designed
to limit the energy available to the intrinsically safe apparatus. Intrinsic safety barriers usually are
installed in locations not classified as hazardous and are connected between the intrinsically safe
apparatus and other non-intrinsically safe equipment.

ISA-TR12.2-1995 9
COPYRIGHT 2000 Instrument Society of America
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 4 Intrinsically safe system control drawings

To ensure an intrinsically safe system, intrinsically safe apparatus and associated apparatus
must be installed in accordance with the installation requirements specified on control drawings.
Article 504 defines a control drawing as "a drawing or other document provided by the
manufacturer of the intrinsically safe or associated apparatus that details the allowed
interconnections between the intrinsically safe apparatus and associated apparatus."

Hazardous (Classified) Location Non-Hazardous Location

Class I, Division 1, Groups A,B,C,D
Class II, Division 1, Groups E,F,G
Class III, Division 1

+ 3 1
ACME Instruments The Capacitance and ISB Inc.
Inductance of the Cables
Model ABC Must Be Restricted to Model 123 Supply 1
the Following Values:
 4 2

Group C(µF) L(mH)

A,B 0.11 4
C,E 0.33 12 I.S. Ground 3
D,F,G 0.88 32

Notes: 1 The Model 123 must not be connected to any device that uses or generates in excess of 250 volts rms or dc
unless it has been determined that the voltage has been adquately isolated from the barrier.
2 The installation must be in accordance with the National Electrical Code , NFPA 70, Article 504, and ANSI/ISA-RP12.6.

3 The Model 123 must be connected to a suitable ground electrode per NFPA 70, Article 504. The resistance
of the ground path must be less than 1 ohm.

Figure 1 — Example of a typical control drawing

Figure 1 is an example of a typical control drawing that illustrates the interconnection of an

intrinsically safe apparatus and an associated apparatus, based on a system examination in
which each piece of apparatus has been specifically examined in combination with the other.
Although the application of this system approach is straightforward and requires minimal
additional examination by the user, it is not very flexible. Given the large and increasing number
of possible combinations, it is difficult for the manufacturers of intrinsically safe and associated
apparatus to list them all on control drawings.

10 ISA-TR12.2-1995
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 5 Entity concept

Another approach, known as the entity concept, provides more flexibility in selecting equipment
for an intrinsically safe system. The entity concept allows the user to identify acceptable
combinations of intrinsically safe apparatus and associated apparatus that have not been
examined as a system.

6 Entity parameters

Each apparatus is examined separately by a nationally recognized test laboratory (NRTL) and
assigned a set of parameters, known as entity parameters.
Intrinsically safe apparatus is assigned the following parameters:
Vmax = Maximum voltage that may be applied safely to the intrinsically safe
apparatus;
Imax = Maximum current that may be applied safely to the intrinsically safe
apparatus;
Ci = Internal unprotected capacitance of the intrinsically safe apparatus; and
Li = Internal unprotected inductance of the intrinsically safe apparatus.

Each channel of associated apparatus is assigned the following parameters:

Voc = Maximum open-circuit voltage that can appear across the intrinsically
safe connections of the associated apparatus under fault conditions;
Isc = Maximum short-circuit current that can be drawn from the intrinsically
safe connections of the associated apparatus under fault conditions;
Ca = Maximum capacitance that can be connected safely to the associated
apparatus; and
La = Maximum inductance that can be connected safely to the associated
apparatus.

6.1 Entity parameter specification

Vmax and Imax are specified by the manufacturer of the intrinsically safe apparatus.They are used
for comparison to associated apparatus parameters that have been determined under specified
fault conditions. Thus, the values of Vmax and Imax do not necessarily bear any relationship to the
normal operating voltage and current of the intrinsically safe apparatus.
For the parameters to be useful, values high enough to allow interconnection with appropriate
associated apparatus must be selected. The values of Vmax and Imax are limited only to the
maximum voltage and current that the intrinsically safe apparatus can receive and remain
intrinsically safe, based on stored energy and thermal considerations.

ISA-TR12.2-1995 11
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 The Vmax and Imax values specified for a given intrinsically safe apparatus, taken together and
compared to the ignition curves (Reference: ANSI/UL913), may fall in the ignition-capable area of
the curve. This is not a problem, since any NRTL-approved associated apparatus to which the
intrinsically safe apparatus might be connected will always have Voc and Isc parameters that are
not ignition capable. For example, an intrinsically safe apparatus with low Ci and Li values and
properly rated components could realistically have a Vmax of 45 volts and an Imax of 350 mA. At
45 volts, 350 mA is well into the ignition-capable area of the ignition curve. However, based on
the ignition curve for Groups A and B, an associated apparatus with a Voc of 45 volts would have
an Isc of no more than 45 mA, and an associated apparatus with an Isc of 350 mA would have a
Voc of no more than 19 volts. The connection of either associated apparatus to the intrinsically
safe apparatus would form an intrinsically safe system, since in both cases Vmax ≥ Voc and
Imax ≥ Isc.
An additional parameter that optionally may be assigned to either the intrinsically safe apparatus
or associated apparatus is Pmax. When assigned to the intrinsically safe apparatus, Pmax is the
maximum power that may be applied safely to the intrinsically safe apparatus. When assigned to
the associated apparatus, Pmax is the maximum power that can be delivered under specified fault
conditions by the associated apparatus.
The use of the Pmax parameter can provide additional flexibility in the use of the entity concept.
For example, when Pmax is specified for the intrinsically safe apparatus, the NRTL examination of
thermal effects in the intrinsically safe apparatus is conducted using the value of Pmax. In this
case Vmax and Imax are not limited by thermal effects, only by stored energy, and thus may have
considerably higher limits. When Pmax is not specified, the Vmax and Imax parameters will be used
in the examination of thermal effects. This may have the effect of limiting the value of Vmax and
Imax to values that do not allow interconnection with the desired associated apparatus. When
Pmax is specified for an intrinsically safe apparatus, it must be connected to an associated
apparatus that has an equal or lower Pmax.

7 Entity concept control drawings

Entity parameters may be found on the control drawing supplied by the apparatus manufacturer,
along with other pertinent information regarding proper connections, conditions of use, etc.
Figure 2 is an example of a control drawing for an intrinsically safe apparatus. Figure 3 is an
example of a control drawing for an associated apparatus.

Hazardous (Classified) Location Non-Hazardous Location

Class I, Division 1, Groups A,B,C,D
Class II, Division 1, Groups E,F,G
Class III, Division 1

3 Any Approved Associated 1

ACME Instruments +
Model ABC Apparatus with Entity
Concept Parameters:
Vmax = 30V Voc < 30V
Imax = 300mA I sc < 300mA
Ci = 0.02 F Ca > 0.02 F + C cable
L i = 0.15mH 4 La > 0.15mH + L cable 2

R
The installation must be in accordance with the National Electrical Code , NFPA 70, Article 504, and
ANSI/ISA-RP12.6.

Figure 2 — Control drawing for an intrinsically safe apparatus

examined under the entity concept

12 ISA-TR12.2-1995
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 Figure 3 — Control drawing for an associated apparatus examined
under the entity concept

8 Assessing the intrinsic safety of simple loops

The interconnection of the apparatus depicted in Figures 2 and 3 is a two-wire loop with
grounded return—i.e., a transmitter with single-channel grounded zener barrier. This is an
example of the simplest and most easily understood combination. Assessing the intrinsic safety
of this system is a matter of comparing the entity parameters as follows:

Vmax must be greater than or equal to Voc;

Imax must be greater than or equal to Isc;
Ci + Ccable must be less than or equal to Ca; and
Li + Lcable must be less than or equal to La.

Note that the capacitance and inductance of the cable must be added to that of the intrinsically
safe apparatus. If the actual cable capacitance and inductance values are known, they may be
used. If unknown, ANSI/ISA-RP12.6 recommends the following default values:

Cable capacitance - 60 pF/foot; and

Cable inductance - 0.20 µH/foot.

Inserting the values from Figures 2 and 3, the above conditions are met as follows:

Vmax (30 Volts) must be greater than or equal to Voc (28 Volts);
Imax (300 mA) must be greater than or equal to Isc (93 mA);
Ci (0.02 µF) is less than Ca (0.13 µF) by 0.11 µF; and
Li (0.15 mH) is less than La (3.7 mH) by 3.55 mH.

ISA-TR12.2-1995 13
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 A maximum of 1,833 feet of cable (0.11 µF/60 pF per foot) can be used due to capacitance
limitations and a maximum of 17,750 feet of cable (3.55 mH/0.20 µH per foot) can be used due to
inductance limitations. The shorter length (1,833 feet) can be used. Therefore, the
interconnection of these two devices is intrinsically safe with as much as 1,833 feet of cable.

9 Loop operation considerations

The comparison of entity parameters assures only that the interconnection of the intrinsically safe
apparatus and associated apparatus is intrinsically safe. Nothing can be inferred from a
successful entity parameter match about the operational suitability of the interconnection. The
user still must evaluate the operating specifications of each apparatus to ensure that the
combination will operate as desired.

10 Special considerations for multi-channel associated apparatus

loops

There are many intrinsically safe installations for which a single-channel associated apparatus
with grounded return is not appropriate. An example of this is when it is not desirable to connect
either conductor in a two-wire loop to ground, as is often the case with low-level analog signals,
or in which the intrinsically safe apparatus has multiple connections. In these cases it is
necessary to limit the total energy from any combination of conductors entering the hazardous
location to an intrinsically safe level. Figures 4 and 5 depict a two-wire loop with neither
conductor connected to intrinsic safety ground. Figure 4 uses two, single-channel associated
apparatus, and Figure 5 uses one, two-channel associated apparatus.

Hazardous (Classified) Location Non-Hazardous Location

Class I, Division 1, Groups A,B,C,D
Class II, Division 1, Groups E,F,G
Class III, Division 1

+ 3 ISB Inc. 1
4 Model 123 2
ACME Instruments
Model ABC I.S. Ground

3 ISB Inc. 1
4 Model 456 2

I.S. Ground

Figure 4 — Two-wire loop with neither conductor connected to ground

using two single-channel associated apparatus

14 ISA-TR12.2-1995
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 Hazardous (Classified) Location Non-Hazardous Location
Class I, Division 1, Groups A,B,C,D
Class II, Division 1, Groups E,F,G
Class III, Division 1

+ 13 11
ISB Inc.
Model 234
4 2
ACME Instruments
Model ABC

23 21

I.S. Ground

Figure 5 — Two-wire loop with neither conductor connected to ground

using one dual-channel associated apparatus

The intrinsic safety of the system cannot be assessed if: (1) only the entity parameters of each
associated apparatus in Figure 4 are known, or (2) only the entity parameters of each channel of
the associated apparatus in Figure 5 are known. An assessment cannot be made because the
individual Voc parameters address only the maximum voltage of each conductor with respect to
ground. The maximum voltage between the two conductors is not known and cannot be derived
from the individual Vmax parameters. Therefore, it is necessary for the manufacturer of the
associated apparatus to provide a control drawing giving the entity parameters for the specific
connection.
One NRTL, Factory Mutual Research Corporation, uses the parameter Vt to describe the
maximum voltage between any two channels, and the parameter It to describe the sum of the
currents from all channels of the given combination. Other NRTLs continue to use Voc and Isc
and assure that the control drawing is clear as to which combination of terminals each parameter
applies. In any case, the user must assure that the entity parameters used are taken from control
drawings that correctly describe the loop configuration.
Once this is done, the entity concept assessment of the intrinsic safety of the loop is performed in
exactly the same manner as previously described. When the maximum voltage and current of
the apparatus (as shown in Figure 6) are indicated on the control drawing by Vt and It , these
values should be used in the parameter comparison in lieu of Voc and Isc.
However, the Vt and It parameters are independent from each other and cannot be used to
determine the maximum power (Pmax) that can be delivered by the combination of channels. The
entity parameter comparisons for the loop shown in Figure 5 are correctly made using the values
from Figures 2 and 6, as follows:

Vmax (30 V) is greater than Vt (29.2 V);

Imax (300 mA) is greater than It (287 mA);
Ci (0.02 µF) is less than Ca (0.11 µF) by 0.09 µF; and
Li (0.15 mH) is less than La (0.48 mH) by 0.33 mH.

The connection is intrinsically safe with as much as 1,500 feet of cable using the default cable
parameter of 60 pF/foot (0.09 µF/60 pF per foot = 1,500 feet).

ISA-TR12.2-1995 15
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 Hazardous (Classified) Location Non-Hazardous Location
Class I, Division 1, Groups A,B,C,D
Class II, Division 1, Groups E,F,G
Class III, Division 1

+ 13 11
Any Approved Intrinsically ISB Inc.
Safe Apparatus with Entity Model 234
Concept Parameters: 4 2
Supply 1
Vmax > 29.2V Vt = 29.2V
I max > 287mA It = 287mA
Ci + Ccable < 0.11 µ F 23 Ca = 0.11 µ F 21
Li + L cable < 0.48mH L a = 0.48mH

I.S. Ground 3

Notes: 1 The Model 234 must not be connected to any device which uses or generates in excess of 250 volts rms or dc
unless it has been determined that the voltage has been adequately isolated from the barrier.
R
2 The installation must be in accordance with the National Electrical Code , NFPA 70, Article 504, and
ANSI/ISA-RP12.6.
3 The Model 234 must be connected to a suitable ground electrode per NFPA 70, Article 504. The resistance
of the ground path must be less than 1 ohm.

Figure 6 — Control drawing for two-channel associated apparatus

with Vt and lt parameters

11 Assessing the intrinsic safety of complex loops

The intrinsic safety of more complex loops can be assessed using the entity concept, but its use
may be quite restrictive and may result in no possible functional combinations. In these cases a
system examination is less restrictive and may provide a functional intrinsically safe system.
However, for complex loops that operate at sufficiently low power, the entity concept still may be
appropriate. Figure 7 is an example of a complex loop that has two pieces of intrinsically safe
apparatus and three pieces of associated apparatus. Each associated apparatus has two
channels, and one piece of intrinsically safe apparatus has three circuits.
The entity concept assessment for a loop, as shown in Figure 7, is performed in much the same
manner as for simple loops. The main difference is that when there is more than one piece of
intrinsically safe apparatus, the entity parameter comparisons are made as follows:
Vmax of each intrinsically safe apparatus must be greater than Vt of the associated
apparatus;
Imax of each intrinsically safe apparatus must be greater than It of the associated
apparatus;
The sum of all C i parameters and the capacity of the cable must be less than Ca of
the associated apparatus; and
The sum of all Li parameters and the inductance of the cable must be less than La
of the associated apparatus.
Figures 8, 9, and 10 are examples of the control drawings necessary to complete the
assessment of the loop shown in Figure 7.

16 ISA-TR12.2-1995
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 Figure 7 — Complex loop with two intrinsically safe apparatus and three
two-channel associated apparatus

ISA-TR12.2-1995 17
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 18

Hazardous (Classified) Location

Non-Hazardous Location
Class I, Division 1, Groups A,B,C,D
Class II, Division 1, Groups
Class III, Division 1, E,F,G Barriers:
13 ISB Inc. 11 1
4
Model 488 2

Any Approved Intrinsically 23 21

Safe Apparatus with Entity
Concept Parameters: I.S. Ground 3

13 ISB Inc. 11 1
Vmax > 29.2V Model 361
4 2
I max > 297mA
C i + Ccable < 0.12 µ F 23 21
L i + L cable < 0.46mH I.S. Ground 3
13 ISB Inc. 11 1
Model 475 2
4

23 21
I.S. Ground 3
The entity concept parameters
for this barrier connection are:
Vt = 29.2V I t = 297mA Ca = 0.12µ F L a = 0.46mH

Notes: 1 The barriers must not be connected to any device which uses or generates in excess of 250 volts rms or dc
unless it has been determined that the voltage has been adequately isolated from the barrier.
®
2 The installation must be in accordance with the National Electrical Code , NFPA 70, Article 504, and ANSI/ISA-RP12.6.
The resistance of the ground path must be less than 1 ohm.

3 The barrier must be connected to a suitable ground electrode per NFPA 70, Article 504. The resistance
ISA-TR12.2-1995

of the ground path must be less than 1 ohm.

Figure 8 — Control drawing for three two-channel associated apparatus with Vt and lt

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 Figure 9 — Control drawing for intrinsically safe apparatus with multiple circuits

Hazardous (Classified) Location Non-Hazardous Location

Class I, Division 1, Groups A,B,C,D
Class II, Division 1, Groups E,F,G
Class III, Division 1

+ 3 1
Indicators Inc. Any Approved Associated
Model 420 Apparatus with Entity
Parameters:
Vmax = 35V Voc < 35V
Imax = 300mA I sc < 300mA
Ci = 0.01µF C a > C cable+ 0.01µ F
L i = 0.1mH 4 L a > L cable + 0.1mH 2

The installation must be in accordance with the National Electrical Code ®, NFPA 70, Article 504, and
ANSI/ISA-RP12.6.

Figure 10 — Control drawing for intrinsically safe apparatus

ISA-TR12.2-1995 19
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 For the loop in Figure 7, the aforementioned conditions are met as follows:

All Vmax parameters (30 V and 35 V) are each greater than Vt (29.2 V);
All Imax parameters (350 mA and 300 mA) are each greater than It (297 mA);
The sum of all Ci parameters (0.02 µF + 0.01 µF = 0.03 µF) is less than Ca
(0.12 µF) by 0.09 µF; and
The sum of all Li parameters (0.07 mH + 0.1 mH = 0.17 mH) is less than La
(0.46 mH) by 0.29 mH.

The loop is intrinsically safe with up to 1,450 feet of cable using the default cable parameter of
0.20µH/foot (0.29 µH/0.20 µH per foot = 1,450 feet).

12 Intrinsically safe apparatus that adds energy to the loop

In some cases, an intrinsically safe apparatus may add energy to the loop, as well as accept
energy from associated apparatus. In this case, the intrinsically safe apparatus will have both
input (Vmax, Imax, Ci1, Li1) and output (Voc, Isc, Ca, La) parameters. (This type of situation is well
depicted in Figure 11, which illustrates a typical control drawing for a hand-held communicator.
When using devices that have both input and output entity parameters, careful attention to the
instructions on the control drawing is essential. If the communicator were to use a parallel
connection (as shown in Figure 11), it is necessary to assure that the sum of the Isc parameters
remains intrinsically safe and to calculate a new La parameter for the interconnection since
introducing the communicator provides an additional current source to the loop. Means to do so
are provided on the control drawing. However, if the communicator were connected in series, it
would be necessary to assure that the sum of the Voc parameters remains intrinsically safe and
to calculate a new Ca parameter for the interconnection since another voltage source would be
added to the loop. When using devices that have both input and output entity parameters, careful
attention to the instructions on the control drawing is essential.

20 ISA-TR12.2-1995
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 ISA-TR12.2-1995

Hazardous (Classified) Location Non-Hazardous Location

Class I, Division 1, Groups A,B,C,D
Class II, Division 1, Groups E,F,G
Class III, Division 1

Smart Transmitter Associated Apparatus

Table 1
Itotal (mA) L a (mH)
Hand-Held Communicator 150 1.3
Model 789
140 1.6
130 2.0
Voc = 1.5V 120 2.5
Output Isc = 27mA
110 3.0
Parameters C a = 10,000 µ F
L a = 46mH 100 4.0
90 5.0
80 6.0
Vmax = 32V
70 7.5
Input I max = 186mA
Parameters C i = 0.01µ F 60 10.0
Li = 0.5mH 50 15.0
40 23.0

Notes: 1- Output parameters: Since current is added to the loop by the communicator, a new L a value that accounts for
the total loop current must be determined. To do this, add the Isc parameter of the associated apparatus to the Isc of
the communicator. Find that current in Column 1 of Table 1. Rounding to the next highest value, read the
corresponding L a in Column 2. Since the voltage of the communicator cannot be added to that of the associated
apparatus in this configuration, it is not necessary to calculate a new Voc or C a .

2- The Model 789 communicator may be connected in the hazardous (classified) location as shown if the
following conditions are met:
A - The Voc and I sc of the associated apparatus must not exceed the Vmax and Imax of the communicator.
B - The total capacitance connected to the associated apparatus must not exceed the Ca of the associated
apparatus. This total consists of the sum of the C i parameters of all field devices in the loop and the
cable capacitance.
C - The total inductance connected to the associated apparatus must not exceed the L a value calculated
using Table 1. This total consists of the sum of the L i parameters of all field devices in the loop and
the cable inductance.
®
3- The installation must be in accordance with the National Electrical Code , NFPA 70, Article 504, and ANSI/ISA-RP12.6.
21

Figure 11 — Control drawing for a hand-held communicator

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 13 Considerations for intrinsically safe bus systems

Bus systems are — by their very nature—complex loops, and they present challenges to the use
of the entity concept. The entity concept is very important to bus systems in which
interchangeability or interoperability, or both, of bus participants is desired. Without the entity
concept, interchangeability would be severely limited because it would be virtually impossible to
cover all possible intrinsically safe system combinations on control drawings. (Figure 12 is a
typical intrinsically safe bus arrangement.)

Hazardous (Classified) Location Non-Hazardous Location

Bus Associated
Terminator Apparatus

Bus Bus Bus Bus

Participant Participant Participant Participant

Figure 12 — Typical intrinsically safe bus configuration

The methods of assessing the intrinsic safety of the system illustrated in Figure 12 are identical
to those detailed in previous sections for complex loops. However, if a goal of the bus system is
to allow the free interchange of equipment, the issue becomes the practical control of a bus loop
to ensure that it remains intrinsically safe when equipment is interchanged or portable
communicators are momentarily connected.
Most of the organizations involved in the development of bus system standards recognize that
such control may be impractical unless several of the following conditions are met by the bus
participants:

1) The Vmax and Imax parameters of the intrinsically safe apparatus should be no lower
than specified minimum values that are sufficient to accommodate the associated
apparatus;
2) The Voc and Isc parameters of the associated apparatus should be no higher than
specified maximum values that will accommodate the intrinsically safe apparatus;
3) The C i and Li parameters of the intrinsically safe apparatus should be zero or at
least very low, relative to the Ca and La parameters of the associated apparatus;
4) The intrinsically safe apparatus should not be allowed to add current or voltage to
the loop.

The aforementioned conditions are not necessary to assess the intrinsic safety of a given bus
system configuration, but they do help simplify the control procedures that are necessary to
ensure that the system remains intrinsically safe when equipment interchanges are made.

22 ISA-TR12.2-1995
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 14 Conclusion

The preceding examples illustrate how the intrinsic safety of a wide variety of loops can be
assessed using the entity concept, thus providing greater flexibility in the selection of apparatus.
One must simply obtain control drawings that correctly describe the loop configuration, compare
the entity parameters as outlined in the examples, and follow any additional instructions given on
the control drawings. Performed correctly, this procedure will ensure that a system is intrinsically
safe.

15 References

FACTORY MUTUAL RESEARCH CORPORATION (FMRC)

Class No. 3610-1988 Intrinsically Safe Apparatus and Associated Apparatus for Use
in Class I, II, and II, Division 1, Hazardous (Classified) Locations

Available from: FMRC

1151 Boston-Providence Turnpike
Norwood, MA 02062 (617) 762-4300

ISA

ANSI/ISA-RP12.6-1995 Wiring Practices for Hazardous (Classified) Locations

Instrumentation, Part I: Intrinsic Safety

ISA-S12.1-1991 Definitions and Information Pertaining to Electrical Instruments

in Hazardous (Classified) Locations

Available from: ISA

67 Alexander Drive
P.O. Box 12277
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 Tel: (919) 549-8411

NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION (NFPA)

ANSI/NFPA 70-1993 National Electrical Code®

Available from: NFPA

P.O. Box 9101
One Batterymarch Park
Quincy, MA 02269-9101 Tel: (617) 770-3000

ISA-TR12.2-1995 23
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 UNDERWRITERS LABORATORIES, INC. (UL)

ANSI/UL 913-1988 Intrinsically Safe Apparatus and Associated Apparatus for Use
in Class I, II, and III, Division 1, Hazardous (Classified) Locations

Available from: UL
333 Pfingsten Road
Northbrook, IL 60062 Tel: (708) 272-8800

24 ISA-TR12.2-1995
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COPYRIGHT 2000 Instrument Society of America
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 Developing and promulgating technically sound consensus standards,
recommended practices, and technical reports is one of ISA's primary
goals. To achieve this goal the Standards and Practices Department
relies on the technical expertise and efforts of volunteer committee
members, chairmen, and reviewers.
ISA is an American National Standards Institute (ANSI) accredited
organization. ISA administers United States Technical Advisory
Groups (USTAGs) and provides secretariat support for International
Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and International Organization for
Standardization (ISO) committees that develop process measurement
and control standards. To obtain additional information on the
Society's standards program, please write:

ISA
Attn: Standards Department
67 Alexander Drive
P.O. Box 12277
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709

ISBN: 1-55617-559-0

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