25-07-2012

Know-how is safety-relevant

The safety of explosion-proof electric equipment primarily depends on the proper implementation and supervision of technical measures for ignition protection. In addition to that, the competence and behaviour of the staff installing and operating this equipment is also relevant to safety.

For instance, electrical trace heating systems for use in explosion-hazardous areas are devices and device combinations as defined by the ATEX guideline. The adherence to the Ex parameters and, consequently, the safety crucially depends on the system configuration and the proper installation. In practice, this often raises questions: Which aspects have to be considered when an ATEX-certified trace heating system is installed, and who is authorized to carry out this installation?

In principle, manufacturers and notified testing bodies define and certify the particular frame conditions for the proper installation and application of the system in potentially explosive areas. The system identification and the details given in the operating instructions inform operators, planners and installers about these particular requirements. Basically, the most important aspect is to adhere to the temperature class of the device or the system. The temperature class of the heating system results from the functional principle but also from the defined interpretation and the correct installation.

For the proper implementation of these measures, practical expert knowledge of electric explosion protection and know-how relating to the specific application of this technology in potentially explosive areas is indispensable and is therefore required by the relevant standards and guidelines. The BARTEC Safe.t Academy regularly offers seminars on electric explosion protection as well as technology seminars on application, planning and installation of electric trace heating systems in potentially explosive areas. In addition to providing basic information, these seminars are focused on the transfer of practical knowledge.