Class I, Zone 0, 1 and 2 classified

[stormywyo]

Does anyone have any experience applying or installing electrical under articles 505 and 506?

Where and how well is it working for you? And do you find that obtaining the appropriate equipment and devices is difficult?

 

[Pierre C Belarge]

I am not an expert in application of these particular Articles, but I can say this;
Articles 501, 502 and 503 are not completely correlated to Zone 20, 21 and 22. If you are trying to use the european (20, 21 and 22) type equivelants, you will need to speak to or hire a person(s) who is well schooled in the differences in those related articles.

 

[weressl]

Does anyone have any experience applying or installing electrical under articles 505 and 506?

Where and how well is it working for you? And do you find that obtaining the appropriate equipment and devices is difficult?

Steer clear. Skilled labor to is hard to find to install, nevermind maintain the system. Equipment is still limited availability.

 

[rbalex]

About 30% of my career has been in design/construction of IEC/CENELEC facilities; the last one was finished a bit over 11 years ago. The EU ATEX directives had just come into force. The major affect with regard to the project was the new marking standards. Little else made any significant difference to our design.

The US domestic Zone system in not the same as either the IEC or the CENELEC implementation. Canada’s system is very close though. Back in the 1993 Cycle, one of my comments was used as the basis for rejecting the US system at the time - primarily because many designers and inspectors had a hard enough time with the Division system. (No big deal - they could have picked any one of a couple of dozen)

A major US use has been on the Alaska Pipeline. Most of the Pipeline construction is modular. Modules of all types are fabricated in less hostile environments and shipped to Alaska. Many go all the way to the North Slope on barges. The basic advantage is that “standard” Zone construction is lighter. Because the Modules are enclosed, many are Classified Zone 1. Classic Zone 1-type equipment is often less expensive than Division 1 equipment.

I have heard a few other US facilities have also tried the US Zone system – I don’t the details.

Availability is a mixed bag. Most US manufacturers simply had their conventional Division equipment dual rated. In that since it isn’t too difficult to get Zone equipment, but virtually all economic benefits disappear too. I only know of one domestic manufacturer of true Zone equipment.

 

[weressl]

About 30% of my career has been in design/construction of IEC/CENELEC facilities; the last one was finished a bit over 11 years ago. The EU ATEX directives had just come into force. The major affect with regard to the project was the new marking standards. Little else made any significant difference to our design.

The US domestic Zone system in not the same as either the IEC or the CENELEC implementation. Canada?s system is very close though. Back in the 1993 Cycle, one of my comments was used as the basis for rejecting the US system at the time - primarily because many designers and inspectors had a hard enough time with the Division system. (No big deal - they could have picked any one of a couple of dozen)

A major US use has been on the Alaska Pipeline. Most of the Pipeline construction is modular. Modules of all types are fabricated in less hostile environments and shipped to Alaska. Many go all the way to the North Slope on barges. The basic advantage is that ?standard? Zone construction is lighter. Because the Modules are enclosed, many are Classified Zone 1. Classic Zone 1-type equipment is often less expensive than Division 1 equipment.

I have heard a few other US facilities have also tried the US Zone system ? I don?t the details.

Availability is a mixed bag. Most US manufacturers simply had their conventional Division equipment dual rated. In that since it isn?t too difficult to get Zone equipment, but virtually all economic benefits disappear too. I only know of one domestic manufacturer of true Zone equipment.

In the chemical industry Division 1 requirement is less than 10% of the classified area. Overall, the installation requirements are more complex for the Zone than Division.

 

[rbalex]

... Overall, the installation requirements are more complex for the Zone than Division.

Only because we don't actually use the IEC system.

 

[stormywyo]

Thanks to all --this is very helpful to me!!

 

[weressl]

Only because we don't actually use the IEC system.

Well, I have been over at our parent company in Germany and at the beginning of my carrer I worked under the rules that are now form the core of the IEC and in general the rules are much more complex, although comprehensive, than we are using here. If a simple system we use here creates so much potential for error as I can witness daily and evidenced by the questions on this list from individuals who are supposed to be established in the 'trade' then, given the same workforce, the errors and mistakes would just multiply.

Having said the above, the safety record speaks for itself. Our industry IS safe. An increased complexity would open up the door for error and potentially lower our safety record.