IEC 60079:2024 contains the specific requirements for the design of electrical systems, selection, installation and the required initial inspection of electrical installations of Ex Equipment in, or associated with, explosive atmospheres including requirements for documentation and personnel competency.
These requirements are in addition to the requirements for installations in non-hazardous areas.
This document applies to all electrical Ex Equipment including fixed, transportable, portable and personal, and installations, permanent or temporary.
This document does not apply to:
• electrical installations in mines susceptible to firedamp;
• inherently explosive situations and dust from explosives or pyrophoric substances (for example explosives manufacturing and processing);
• rooms used for medical purposes;
• electrical installations in areas where the hazard is due to flammable mist; and
• installation of non-electrical Ex Equipment (unless being part of an equipment assembly according IEC TS 60079-46).
No account is taken in this document of the toxic hazards that are associated with flammable gases, liquids and dusts in concentrations that are usually very much less than the lower flammable limit. In locations where personnel could be exposed to potentially toxic concentrations of flammable material, appropriate precautions are necessary. Such precautions are outside the scope of this document.
This sixth edition cancels and replaces the fifth edition published in 2013. This edition constitutes a technical revision. Edition 6 is a major restructure and introduces a number of technical changes from the previous edition (2013), see Table 1 of the foreword for detailed information.