THE EXPLOSION-PROOF LIGHT - EXPLAINED
Many of the frequently asked issues concern precisely what constitutes a "explosion-proof" light. Customers sometimes mix up this language with other labels they've heard before or frequently don't understand how the light works. Let's make an effort to remove some of the ambiguity.
Let's first discuss use in general. Explosion-proof lights are intended for use in "Hazardous Locations," which are as specified by the Canadian Electrical Code and other laws from other countries. In general, a hazardous environment in this context is one where there are significant airborne concentrations of flammable elements that might result in an explosion or fire. This may manifest as a gas (such as natural gas, ethanol, or toluene), a dust (such as grain, wheat, or coal), or even a fibre. Workers are required by law to employ specialised equipment to lessen the danger of igniting flammable materials when these risks are present, or else a catastrophic fire or explosion might result. See our brief overview of the subject here for further background information on the categorization of hazardous areas.
A portable light is one of the tools frequently utilised in these locations. Assume you are entering a huge tank that once held gas to clean it out and check it for damage. You must take precautions because this tank will continue to hold flammable gases even after all the liquid fuel has been used up. To be able to see and complete the task, you must bring a light with you because the tank is dark inside. You will need a light that can lessen and minimise the possibility of igniting the gases (or dusts, depending on the location), as this is a hazardous situation. There are two fundamental variations of this light: intrinsically safe and explosion-proof.
Either intrinsically safe or explosion-proof certifications are available for all electrical equipment intended for use in hazardous situations. To lessen the likelihood of igniting the combustible materials is the identical goal. But the strategy is different. Explosion-proof lights, such as the XP162 light we've seen here, are made to resist the explosive substance igniting inside the light itself, as opposed to intrinsically safe lights, which aren't made to carry enough current to spark the combustible material.
Explosion-proof lights must normally be constructed from sturdy, non-sparking material, have a very thick glass globe covering the bulb, and have additional safeguards to guarantee the worker's and the surrounding area's safety in the event that an ignition occurs inside the light. We won't get into the specifics here, but to do this is a true mechanical engineering marvel. as it ought to be! We're talking about potential threats to human life. Intrinsically safe lights must be powered by batteries and have a low voltage running through the circuit in order to be approved. This eliminates the possibility of a spark arcing through the air. A torch with a unique design and battery power is a nice illustration. As you can see, the words inherently safe and explosion-proof have similar goals but quite distinct applications.
In order to emphasise that all items used in hazardous places MUST BE CERTIFIED by an authorised certification organisation (for example, in Canada and the USA: UL, CSA, ETL, etc.) for the specific sort of hazardous region that it is being used in, we should halt here. You must utilise a device that has been specially approved for those requirements and be aware of the Class, Division, and Group (or Zone as it becomes more common) that apply to the place. Use a light approved for Class I, Division II, for instance, not in a Class I, Division I location. Use caution while using a Zone 1 rated light in a Zone 0 area. In a subsequent post, we'll talk more about this.
It is important to clear up some prevalent misconceptions concerning explosion-proof lighting. For instance, a common misconception is that an explosion-proof light prevents any gases or vapours from entering the area around live electrical power, even in the event of a light failure. Usually, it is NOT the case. Lights that can withstand explosions don't necessarily need to be "air tight" to work. Many lights designed to withstand explosions enable gases to enter the light itself. The most crucial aspect of its design is to stop any explosion brought on by those gases from harming the worker or igniting further gases in the work environment. Therefore, it is important to check with the manufacturer to determine whether this is allowed before immersing your explosion-proof light to clean it off. For instance, while some of the lights we sell are water- and vapour-tight, others cannot be power-washed.
On the other hand, a lot of non-explosion-proof lights that are built to be "vapour-proof" are available for purchase. It's vital to remember that not all of these lights are explosion-proof. An explosion-proof lamp must be certified as such, and any sales materials and most definitely the product itself should clearly show this information. Keep in mind that not all explosion-proof lights are also vapour-proof lights, and vice versa. Ask questions to ensure you receive the appropriate tool for the job.
This is a brief explanation of how the phrases inherently safe and explosion-proof are used in relation to portable lighting devices. Please don't hesitate to get in touch with us if you have any queries or need more information.
