Junction Box for 220Vca distribution on hazardous area 1

[JuanBC]

Hello,

I need to specify a "Junction Box for 220Vca distribution" (to feed a group of CCTV cameras)

That Junction box will be used on a "Zone 1 (gas) - temperature class T3" (IEC) hazardous area

My boss tells me that since it will only have terminals (8 terminals for 4mm² cables), it is not required to be a box suitable for use on a hazardous area and can therefore be a simple IP54 "sealed" box

What do you think?

Regards,

JBC
.......
"The more I read, the more I acquire, the more certain I am that I know nothing"

 

[ScottyUK]

If you're operating under the European ATEX Directives then it is very simple: your boss is wrong. The junction box would, from a practical perspective, need to be an Ex 'e' or Ex 'd' type.

I don't know the IECex scheme very well but I believe it broadly mimics the ATEX system, other than the terminology is slightly different, and I would expect the requirements will be similar .

 

[JuanBC]

Hi Scotty,

Thanks for your answer, common sense led me to think like you

Sadly, in my country it is not clear what directive to use, and a mixture of the two is made

Do you know in what standard I can find information to sustain your affirmation and be able to discuss with fundamentals?

JBC
.......
"The more I read, the more I acquire, the more certain I am that I know nothing"

 

[ScottyUK]

The codes I work to are the BS EN 60079 series, which are derived from IEC 60079 series of standards. If the IEC numbering system mirrors our codes, then the following might be helpful:

60079-1: Flameproof (Ex 'd')
60079-7: Increased Safety (Ex 'e')
60079-10: Classification of hazardous areas
60079-14: Electrical installations in hazardous areas

It sounds like you've already established that you have a Zone 1 hazard. BS EN 60079-14 states that

5.2.2 Apparatus for use in zone 1

Electrical apparatus can be used in zone 1 if it is constructed in accordance with the
requirements for zone 0 or one or more of the following types of protection (see also 5.2.4):
Flameproof enclosures “d” according to IEC 60079-1
Pressurized enclosures “p” according to IEC 60079-2
Powder filling “q” according to IEC 60079-5
Oil immersion “o” according to IEC 60079-6
Increased safety “e” according to IEC 60079-7
Intrinsic safety “i” according to IEC 60079-11
Encapsulation “m” according to IEC 60079-18​

You will note that "IP54 sealed box" isn't among the options listed!

Hope this helps a bit.

 

[JuanBC]

Thank you! I'll take a look at those standards.

JBC
.......
"The more I read, the more I acquire, the more certain I am that I know nothing"