Explosion protection mark and explosion protection classification are key indicators for evaluating the performance and applicable scope of explosion-proof equipment. Below, Shenzhen SinoTest Testing Technology Co., Ltd. provides a detailed explanation of these two concepts:
Explosion Protection Mark
An explosion protection mark consists of a series of letters and numbers, indicating the explosion protection technique, equipment category, gas group, and temperature group of the explosion-proof equipment. Below is a typical example of an explosion protection mark and its meaning:
Ex db ib IIC T4 Gb
Ex: Indicates that the equipment is an electrical device for use in explosive gas atmospheres.
db: The protection technique is flameproof.
ib: The protection technique is intrinsic safety. The "db ib" means the equipment adopts both flameproof and intrinsic safety protection techniques.
IIC: Indicates that the equipment is suitable for Category IIC explosive gas atmospheres (e.g., hydrogen and acetylene). Category IIC gases are typically the most hazardous, with low ignition energy and a wide ignition limit range.
T4: Temperature group, indicating that the maximum surface temperature of the equipment does not exceed 135°C. A higher numerical value of the temperature group (larger number) means a lower allowable surface temperature, resulting in relatively higher safety in hazardous environments.
Gb: Equipment protection level, applicable to Zone 1 and Zone 2.
Explosion Protection Techniques
An explosion protection technique refers to the technical means adopted by explosion-proof equipment to prevent the occurrence of an explosion. Common explosion protection techniques include, but are not limited to:
Flameproof "d": Enclosing components that may generate sparks or high temperatures in a robust enclosure. When an explosion occurs inside the enclosure, the enclosure can withstand the explosion pressure and prevent flame propagation to the outside.
Increased Safety "e": Reducing the possibility of sparks or high temperatures generated by the equipment by improving its safety performance, such as enhancing the insulation level and adopting non-sparking design.
Intrinsic Safety "i": Limiting the energy in the equipment's circuit so that it cannot generate sparks or high temperatures sufficient to ignite explosive mixtures under normal operation or fault conditions.
Explosion Protection Classification
Although the term "explosion protection classification" does not directly appear in standards, various components of the explosion protection mark jointly determine the explosion protection classification and applicable scope of the equipment. These include the equipment category (Category I, II, III), gas group (IIA, IIB, IIC, etc.), and temperature group (T1 to T6).
If you need more information about explosion protection mark and explosion protection classification, or have any questions regarding explosion protection testing, certification, and construction, please feel free to contact STS. We will provide professional answers and high-quality services.

|
||||||
|
||||||