UNIT 7: Ex n Protection ‘Reduced Risk’
This unit will provide an understanding of the principles of Ex
nA and Ex nR protection, the construction requirements to
EN/IEC 60079-15 and the installation requirements to EN/IEC
60079-14. Reference is also made to Ex nC and Ex nL.
Reduced Risk Ex n (or EEx n)
Definition
A type of protection applied to electrical equipment such that, in normal
operation and in certain specified regular expected occurrences, it is not
capable of igniting a surrounding explosive gas atmosphere.
• This standard is intended to ensure that a malfunction capable of causing
ignition is not likely to occur.
Zones of Use: 2 only
Equipment Protection Level: Cat 3 / EPL Gc
Ambient Temperature: -200C to +400C unless marked otherwise
Reduced Risk Ex n (or EEx n)
Principles of Design
Enclosures,
• Mechanically strong enclosure
• Minimum IP54 protection level
Terminals,
• High quality insulation materials
• Specified creepage & clearance
distances
• Terminal locking devices to
secure conductors
• Terminal population limited by
design
Reduced Risk Ex n (or EEx n)
Ex n Types of Protection
EN / IEC
Ex ‘n’ Type Equipment
Marking
A Reduced Risk apparatus (nA)
Discontinued and replaced with ‘ec’
Contacts of sparking apparatus which are
C protected by methods other than R or
L (nC)
R Restricted breathing enclosures (nR)
L Energy-limited apparatus (nL)
Discontinued and replaced with ‘ic’
Energy Limited circuits Ex nL shall comply with all the requirements for
intrinsically safe circuits Ex ic.
Reduced Risk Ex n (or EEx n)
Type of Protection ‘nA’
Definition: (nA)
A device constructed to minimize the risk of occurrence
of arcs or sparks capable of creating an ignition hazard
during conditions of normal use.
Example: Ex nA certified terminal
Normal use excludes the removal or insertion of
components with the circuit energized.
Reduced Risk Ex n (or EEx n)
Reduced Risk Terminals Ex nA
Ex N Ex nA
BS 4683 Standard IEC/EN 60079-15
Standard
Reduced Risk Ex n (or EEx n)
Reduced Risk Motors Ex nA Group II Cat 3 / EPL Gc
Temperature Class T1-T4
Ex nA Ex N
EN / IEC 60079-15 (BS 4683 / BS 6941)
Reduced Risk Ex n (or EEx n)
Reduced Risk Motors Ex nA
Terminal Box
Reduced Risk Terminals Ex nA min. IP54
Special
Creepage & attention Air
Clearance Gap /
Distances to Clearances
specification
Components
subject to
Impact Test Suitable for Use only in Zone 2
Category 3 / EPL Gc Equipment
Reduced Risk Ex n (or EEx n)
Reduced Risk Luminaires Ex nA
Group II
Cat 3 / EPL Gc
Reduced Risk Ex n (or EEx n)
Type of Protection ‘nR’
Definition: (nR)
The enclosure is designed to RESTRICT the
entry of gases / dusts
Samples: Restricted Breathing Ex nR Luminaires
Reduced Risk Ex n (or EEx n)
Type of Protection ‘nR’
Use Ex nR certified cable gland
and suitable sealing device
Blanking plugs must meet
the ‘nR’ requirements
Reduced Risk Ex n (or EEx n)
Ex nR Equipment marking
Reduced Risk Ex n (or EEx n)
Ex nR Equipment
Enclosure Ex nC
Ex nC IIC T6
II 3 G
Reduced Risk Ex n (or EEx n)
Type of Protection ‘nC’
Type ‘nC’ protection may be provided by one of the following,
Enclosed break devices,
Incorporates make/break contacts that may ignite an explosive atmosphere, but is constructed to withstand an internal explosion
without suffering damage and prevents it igniting the surrounding external explosive atmosphere.
Hermetically sealed devices,
The external atmosphere cannot gain access to the interior of the device, the seal is made by fusion, for example soldering,
brazing, welding or the fusion of glass to metal.
Non-incendive devices,
Components having make/break contacts that are mechanically protected so as not to cause ignition of an explosive
atmosphere.
Sealed devices,
Cannot be opened during normal service and is sealed effectively to prevent entry of an external atmosphere
Reduced Risk Ex n (or EEx n)
Cable Glands & Stopper plugs
Cable glands must be suitable for both the cable and the enclosure.
They must comply with the requirements of EN/IEC 60079-0.
All cable glands for use on restricted breathing equipment must be suitably
sealed.
Once installed they should only be removable with the aid of a tool.