Lab equipment now more easily deployed in hazardous areas
17 January 2012
Intertec is making it easy to deploy advanced laboratory-grade instrumentation in the field with the launch of an explosion proof protection option. A new inert gas pressurisation system allows its protective cabinets or enclosures to house laboratory-style equipment that is non explosion protected – such as analyzers and sensors – in IEC-Ex and ATEX Zone 1, 21, 2 or 22 hazardous areas.
A novel aspect of the new Ex p system is that it is certified for use where a hazardous atmosphere might be created inside the enclosure – due perhaps to a hydrocarbon leak from the analyzer equipment – as well as more conventional situations where a potential hazard is caused by the atmosphere outside the enclosure. The certification also applies to the system as a whole. This means that Intertec can use the principle for virtually any application, without having to seek re-certification from approvals agencies.
InertSyst – or inert gas purged system – works by maintaining a small overpressure inside the enclosure, in the order of 0.8 mbar, of an inert gas such as nitrogen or carbon dioxide. Many refineries and chemical facilities incorporate air separation plants to produce a source of nitrogen which is piped around the facility. If this is not available, the enclosure can be supplied from a standalone cylinder.
When fitted with InertSyst, Intertec’s enclosures fully comply with the IEC EN 60079-2 standard for equipment protection provided by pressurised enclosures in explosive atmospheres. Intertec's new InertSyst is also available for cabinets and enclosures produced by other manufacturers.
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