Live bus bar link in hazardous area classified as zone-0

[krisys]

I am talking about a oil producing facility. I have installed a 6.6 kV junction box. As the name suggests it is a junction. So two cables are terminated to the junction box. The junction box is classified as protection Ex "e" enclosure.

The strange thing happening in this case is hydrogen gas is getting accumulated inside the junction box.

As per the zone classification, if the flammable gas is continuously present, the area is classified as zone-0. In this case, this is a confined space having a volume of about 0.5 cubic meter. Can we consider this is a zone-0 confined space?

Presently the junction box is containing a live 6.6 kV Bus bar link.

I am convinced that this is not safe. But I would like to know how serious is this matter with respect to safety?

 

[Kiribanda]

If the area is classified as Zone 0, then to my knowledge no ELECTRICAL equipment is to be
allowed to install in Zone 0. Even if you install one, then it should not produce sparks or arcs under
normal running conditions. Now your JB is Ex "E" design so that its having extra creepage distances
on the bus bar terminations/insulators. Therefore,creation of arcs & sparks are prevented by its
design itself. It means that this Ex "e" box is allowed in Zone 1. But, I am 100% sure
it is not allowed in Zone 0 where hydrogen is present too.

 

[Compositepro]

Where is the hydrogen coming from? It seems you should be solving that issue rather simply deciding that it is therefore zone "0". Zone ratings apply to the environment outside of the box.