We at Team Switchgear Dubai supplies and assembles  Explosion Proof Panels that may be installed in Class I, II or III, Division 1 Hazardous Locations according to appropriate National Electrical Code (NEC) installation practices.

These control panels can consist of a NEMA 7 explosion proof enclosure or a general purpose enclosure with purging / pressurization features. Industrial control panels (ICPs) for hazardous environments are a specialty of Team Switch Gear & Control.

Our experienced engineers will offer you safe and economical solutions for control panels to be used with hazardous locations, including panels with intrinsically safe circuits.

Classification of Hazardous Area

Classification of hazardous areas for gases and vapours is as follows:

– Zone 0: An area where an explosive atmosphere, consisting of a mixture with air of flammable substances in the form of gas, vapour, or mist, is present continuously, for long periods, or frequently.
– Zone 1: An area where an explosive atmosphere, consisting of a mixture with air of flammable substances in the form of gas, vapour, or mist, is likely to occur occasionally under normal operating conditions.
– Zone 2: An area where an explosive atmosphere, consisting of a mixture with air of flammable substances in the form of gas, vapour, or mist, is not likely to occur in normal operations; however, if it does occur, it will persist for only a short duration.

For dusts, the classifications are as follows:

– Zone 20: An area where an explosive atmosphere, in the form of a cloud of combustible dust in air, is present continuously, for long periods, or frequently.
– Zone 21: An area where an explosive atmosphere, in the form of a cloud of combustible dust in air, is likely to occur occasionally under normal operating conditions.
– Zone 22: An area where an explosive atmosphere, in the form of a cloud of combustible dust in air, is not likely to occur in normal operations; however, if it does occur, it will persist for only a short duration.

IEC 60079-10-1 provides a similar classification for gases and vapours, which is applicable to facilities constructed in accordance with the US standard NEC 505. IEC 60079-10-2 offers guidance for zone classification concerning dusts and is also applicable to facilities constructed in accordance with the US standard NEC 506.

Potentially explosive atmospheres are classified based on the frequency and duration of their occurrence. This classification outlines the necessary measures to be implemented in accordance with Annex II, Section A of Directive 1999/92/EC, in conjunction with equipment categories outlined in Annex I of Directive 2014/34/EU.

In workplaces, potentially explosive atmospheres are typically classified at most as Zone 1 or Zone 2, and Zone 21 or Zone 22. Zones 0 and 20 are generally limited to very small, inaccessible areas within workplaces or are predominantly confined to the interior of technical equipment.