The method of protection, encapsulation, is used mainly for smaller items of equipment such as solenoid coils ad electronic components.
Standards #
| IEC 60079-18: 2009 BS EN60079-18: 2004 | Explosive Atmospheres – Part 18: Equipment Protection by Encapsulation ‘m’ |
| Older Standards | |
| EN50028: 1987 | Encapsulation ‘m’ |
| BS 5501-8: 1987 | Encapsulation ‘m’ |
Definition #
The definition for this type of protection is:
“A type of protection whereby parts that are capable of igniting an explosive atmosphere by either sparking or heating are enclosed in a compound in such a way that the explosive atmosphere cannot be ignited under operating or installation conditions.’
Zones of use: 0,1 & 2
Unless a risk assessment, taking into account the consequences of ignition, dictates otherwise
Only Ex “m” equipment having a complete certificate shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s documentation.
Ex ‘m’ enclosure or component that has only component certificate (marked “U”) is not allowed to be installed in hazardous area unless it is part of an assembly of components in an equipment that has a full Ex certificate with the “X” and equipment label has full “Ex” marking including temperature class.
