In the past, there was no consideration of non-electrical equipment in hazardous locations. This changed with the introduction of the EN 13463 standards, which specifically target non-electrical equipment such as machinery, conveyor systems and air pumps.

Initially, non-electrical was organized similarly to electrical equipment: a base standard (EN 13463-1) together with specific standards for types of protection. Available techniques included constructional safety "c", control of ignition sources "b", and liquid immersion "k".

Shortly after, the four of the six EN 13463 series of standards were consolidated into only two 80079 standards: IEC 80079-36 and IEC 80079-37. Accordingly, types "b", "c" and "k" were consolidated into a single new type of protection: type "h", for non-electrical equipment. Types "b", "c" and "k" were retained, but renamined to types "bh", "ch" and "kh" in reflection of this new scheme. The remaining types ("fr" and "d") will probably also move to type "h" at some point in the future.

Non-electrical standards borrow heavily from well-established electrical protection standards, but omit the electrical considerations. For example, type "kh" (liquid-immersion) is very similar to type "o" (oil-immersion).

Others, such as type "ch" focus on the risks of ignition due to heat, friction, impact and static electricity. Where equipment does not natively meet such requirements, appropriate control measures can be fitted, in which case the equipment can be certified as type "bh". In all cases a comprehensive ignition analysis is required in order to ensure safety.

Non-electrical is a relative newcomer and, at time of writing, was only required in the European Union. But as North American standards have already been published, it is likely that non-electrical equipment certification will become mandatory in North America in the foreseeable future.

Go to Protection Techniques.
Go to Certification Standards.
Go to Understanding ATEX.
Go to Understanding IEC 60079.