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Non-explosive equipment

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basiliou

Electrical
Dec 2, 2004
7
Dear all ,

I'm involved on a strange customer request and i need your help.

My Customer will buy a Generating Set , powered by Diesel fuel (combustible liquid , not heavy diesel).

My genSet will be accompanied with appropriate control panel, for measuring and protections.

Both Generating Set and it's control panel will be installed in a dedicated room, with no special treatment.

Now , the customers requires to know , if the control panel has been constructed as an non-explosive type.

The answer is no.

The question is : "According to which standard Mr George(NFPA , BS, or similar) , you advise that a Diesel Generating Set room , is not required to have explosive type equipment ???"

If somebody from you feels that can bring some light to this issue , will be fully appreciated.


Best Regards

George B.
 
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You might try asking exactly what he means by "non-explosive". Does he mean explosionproof or does he mean explosion-resistant? Explosionproof has a very precise meaning:

Constructed in such a way that an ignition inside the enclosure does not propagate into the atmosphere outside the enclosure, by cooling the combustion products inside either by means of a threaded cover or a machined flange.

Explosionproof equipment in a generator room is an exercise in futility, not to mention expense, especially if the exhaust stream contains a turbocharger.

Look at NFPA 30, Flammable and Combustible Liquids.

Regards,
William
 
Do what William said.

Each area that may or may not be classified as hazardous must be analyzed. In general, with diesel fuel and its high flash point (104 F? I think?), hazardous areas exist only inside the fuel storage tank. You may classify otherwise though, as long as you follow the advice in NFPA 30 and the relevant ISA recommended practices (RP 12.XX I think?)

Sorry for the question marks. On the road.

Best to ya,

Old Dave
 
If we are getting into a terminology discussion, the proper UL term is ordinary location . This includes indoor and weatherproof equipment and generally excludes hazardous location equipment; although all hazardous location equipment must also pass the ordinary location requirements.

NFPA 30 is the proper document for defining the classification of the combustible liquid. Class IIIA and IIIB materials do not generally require an NEC Art 500 Class I electrical area classification. With no Class I area classification, hazardous location equipment is not required.

While the formulation differs a bit by refiner most diesel fuels are Class IIIB.
 
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