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Program "Explosion Pressure" (Test Round 2023)

For the program "Explosion Pressure ("EP") - Test Round 2023" the general routine procedure is described by the standard "Explosive atmospheres - Part 1: Equipment protection by flameproof enclosures "d"" - IEC 60079-1, Edition 7.0.

The determination of the explosion pressure as a reference pressure for the overpressure test in order to prove that an enclosure can withstand pressure is one of the essential tests of this type of protection (clause 15.2). Here, it is the task of the test laboratory to find the combination of the location of the ignition source and the pressure measuring devices that produces the highest pressure. Therefore, in the program "Explosion Pressure - Test Round 2023", the ability to find this combination is analysed and the explosion pressure (reference pressure) is selected as the quantity to be compared.

Program "Connection and Junction Boxes" (Test Round 2023)

For the program “Connection and Junction Boxes (CJB)- Test Round 2023” the general routine procedure is described by the standard “Explosive atmospheres – Part 7: Equipment protection by increased safety "e"” - IEC 60079-7 Edition 5.1.

A general-purpose connection and junction boxes shall be allocated a rating determined by the method in clause 6.8 to ensure that the limiting temperature not exceeded in service. To simplify the program, a junction box is fitted with the number of 'worst case' terminals that are wired using conductors of the maximum size specified in the datasheet. The maximum current of the junction box should be determined for the temperature class T6 according to IEC 60079-7, clause 6.8 and Annex E. Therefore, the maximum current has been selected as the characteristic of interest which is to be compared in the program “Connection and Junction Boxes (CJB)- Test Round 2023”.

Program "Flameproof Joints" Picture

Program "Flameproof Joints" (Test Round 2021)

For the program “Flameproof Joints (“FJ”) - Test Round 2021” the general routine procedure is described by the standard “Explosive atmospheres - Part 1: Equipment protection by flameproof enclosures “d”” - IEC 60079-1, Edition 7.0.

In the field of the type of protection flameproof enclosures, the equipment often has joints due to the constructional design or to ensure functionality. These joints must be designed in a way that they prevent flame transmission of an internal ignition in order to fulfill the requirements of the type of protection. To ensure this, the joints must comply with certain dimensional requirements specified in the standard mentioned above. All flameproof joints, whether permanently closed or designed to be opened from time to time, shall comply, in the absence of pressure, with the appropriate requirements of clause 5. Furthermore, the determination of the test gap forms the basis for the test for non-transmission of an internal ignition (clause 15.3). Therefore, the maximum gap of the flameproof joint has been selected as the measurand of interest which is to be compared in the program “Flameproof Joints – Test Round 2021”. In addition to this measurand of interest, the program also addresses the aspect of preparing/performing the test for non-transmission of an internal ignition (theoretical only).

Program "Small Component Temperature" Picture

Program "Small Component Temperature" (Test Round 2021)

For the program “Small Component Temperature (“SCT”) - Test Round 2021” the general routine procedure is described by the standard “Explosive atmospheres – Part 0: Equipment – General requirements” - IEC 60079-0, Edition 7.

An important aspect for the testing and assessment of the explosion protection is the test for small components, for example transistors or resistors, whose temperature exceeds that permitted for the temperature classification, described in clause 5.3.3. In the program the test sample (small component for T4 temperature classification) should be tested with flammable mixture in accordance with clause 26.5.3, to investigate if it causes temperature ignition of the flammable mixture. Therefore, the number of ignitions has been selected as the characteristic of interest which is to be compared in the program “Small Component Temperature - Test Round 2021”.

Program "Tests of Enclosures" (Test Round 2019) - CLOSED

For the program "Tests of Enclosures ("TE") - Test Round 2019" the general routine procedure is described by the standard "Explosive atmospheres - Part 0: Equipment – General requirements" - IEC 60079-0, Edition 7.0 and "Degrees of protection provided by enclosures (IP Code)" - IEC 60529, Edition 2.2.

Enclosures used in the field of explosion protection must meet certain criteria and be subjected to certain tests. These tests are defined in the standards mentioned above. Essential characteristics for testing and assessing explosion protection are tests on enclosures for resistance to impact and for protection of the equipment inside the enclosure against ingress of solid foreign objects (dust) and water. Therefore, compliance with the degree of protection (IP) has been selected as the characteristic of interest which is to be compared in the program "Tests of Enclosures - Test Round 2019".

Program "Battery Testing" (Test Round 2019) - CLOSED

For the program "Battery Testing ("BT") - Test Round 2019" the general routine procedure is described by the standard “Explosive atmospheres - Part 11: Equipment protection by intrinsic safety "i"” - IEC 60079-11 Edition 6.

The constantly advancing digitalization and networking of processes and applications in the field of explosion protection is leading to new challenges regarding mobility. As a result, the number of batteries and cells that supply energy for mobile devices is also rising significantly. These batteries and cells are often used in devices of the type of protection "intrinsic safety" and must be tested in accordance with the standard mentioned above. Essential characteristics for testing and assessing explosion protection are the maximum surface temperature and the internal resistance of batteries and cells. Therefore, the maximum surface temperature and the internal resistance have been selected as the measurands / characteristics of interest which are to be compared in the program "Battery Testing - Test Round 2019".

Program "Explosion Pressure" Picture

Program "Explosion Pressure" (Test Round 2017) - CLOSED

For the program “Explosion Pressure” the general routine procedure is described by the standard “Explosive atmospheres - Part 1: Equipment protection by flameproof enclosures “d”” - IEC 60079-1, Edition 7.0. An essential characteristic for the testing and assessment of the explosion protection is the ability of the enclosure to withstand pressure (clause 15.2.). This is of decisive importance for the design and construction of “d” products. Therefore, the explosion pressure (reference pressure) has been selected as the quantity to be compared in the program “Explosion Pressure - Test Round 2017”.

Program "Pressurized Enclosure" Picture

Program "Pressurized Enclosure" (Test Round 2017) - CLOSED

For the program “Pressurized Enclosure - Test Round 2017” (“PE”) the general routine procedure is described by the standard “Explosive atmospheres – Part 2: Equipment protection by pressurized enclosure “p”” - IEC 60079-2 Edition 6. This type of ignition protection prevents the formation of explosive atmosphere inside an enclosure by maintaining an internal overpressure against the surrounding atmosphere. This can be achieved by means of an ignition protective gas and, if necessary, supplying the interior of the housing with ignition protection gas in such a way that the dilution of combustible mixtures is reached. The measurement of dilution and determination of gas concentration is therefore an important aspect of testing pressurized enclosures and thus the quantity to be compared for the program “PE”.

Program "Intrinsic Safety" Picture

Program "Intrinsic Safety" (Test Round 2015) - CLOSED

For the program “Intrinsic Safety IS” the general routine procedure is described by the standard “Explosive atmospheres - Part 11: Equipment protection by intrinsic safety "i" “-IEC 60079-11:2011 Edition 6. Intrinsic safety is a protection technique being designed to limit the energy of a circuit, by either thermal or electrical means, to avoid an ignition in hazardous atmosphere. When certifying an intrinsic safe circuit, all possible scenarios for connections of components and many safety factors have to be considered. Therefore, assessment of intrinsic safety plays a fundamental role in this field of explosion protection...

Program "Electrostatic Charge" Picture

Program "Electrostatic Charge" (Test Round 2015) - CLOSED

For the program “Electrostatic Charge EC” the general routine procedure is described by the standard “Explosive atmospheres – Part 0: Equipment – General requirements” - IEC 60079-0 Edition 6. Furthermore the upcoming standard “Explosive atmospheres – Part 32-2: Electrostatics hazards - Tests” - IEC 60079-32-2 deals with the subject of electrostatics. An essential characteristic for the testing and assessment of the explosion protection is the surface resistance test of parts of enclosures of non-metallic materials (clause 26.13 in IEC 60079-0 and clause 4.2 in IEC 60079-32-2). Another important test for the evaluation of the electrostatic properties is the test for transferred charge described by the standard IEC 60079-32-2, clause 4.11. Both tests respectively both measurands of interest are of decisive importance for the design and construction of “d” products. This is why the surface resistance and the transferred charge have been selected as the measurands of interest which are to be compared in the program “Electrostatic Charge”...

Program "Temperature Classification" Picture

Program "Temperature Classification" (Test Round 2013) - CLOSED

The general routine procedure is described by the basic standard of the respective type of protection. This means that the basic standard of the respective type of protection must also be used as a basis when the quantities to be compared are selected, i.e. IEC 60079-0 for "Temperature Classification".

The maximal surface temperature is a decisive criterion for the testing and the assessment of the safety in explosion protection. This is why it the maximal surface temperature has been selected as the quantity to be compared for the program "Temperature Classification".

In the program "Temperature Classification" the highest surface temperatures are determined for the Test Sample "TC" in accordance with IEC 60079-0...

Program "Flame Transmission" Picture

Program "Flame Transmission" (Test Round 2013) - CLOSED

For the program “Flame transmission FT” the general routine procedure is described by the standard of the type of protection flameproof enclosures “d” - IEC 60079-1. An essential characteristic for the testing and assessment of the explosion protection is the test for non-transmission of an internal ignition (clause 15.2). It is of decisive importance for the design and construction of “d” products. This is why the flame transmission test has been selected as the characteristic of interest which is to be conducted in the program “Flame Transmission - FT”...

Program "Spark Ignition" Picture

Program "Spark Ignition" (Test Round 2010) - CLOSED

The ignition probability of circuits is a decisive criterion for the testing and the assessment of the intrinsic safety. This is why it is planned to perform in this program, a corresponding number of ignition tests with different circuits. The ignition probabilities are determined and compared. As the description of the spark test apparatuses in IEC 60079-11, Annex B, allows an "interpretation margin", this comparison also generates information about possible systematic and random error sources of the procedure provided in the standard.

In the program, the ignition probability of twelve different circuits is compared by ignition tests with the aid of a spark test apparatus in accordance with IEC 60079-11. The simple circuits are designed in accordance with the above-mentioned standard. In addition to what is required by the standard, circuits which show a dynamic behaviour will be included in the comparison...

Program "Explosion Pressure" 2010 - CLOSED Picture

Program "Explosion Pressure" (Test Round 2010) - CLOSED

The explosion pressure (reference pressure) is an essential characteristic for the testing and assessment of the safety in the field of explosion protection. It is of decisive importance for the constructional design of the products and, thus, for their competitiveness. This is why the explosion pressure (reference pressure) has been selected as the quantity to be compared in this program.

The general routine procedure is described by the standard of the type of protection flameproof enclosures "d" - IEC 60079-1. Additionally, detailed guidance will be provided how to perform the tests...