Andrew Wireless Innovations Group BCEL-800-900 User Manual

 

  

 

The company has a policy of continuous product development and improvement and we therefore 

reserve  the right to vary any information quoted without prior notice. 

 

  
Hazardous Area 

A hazardous area is defined as: "An area in which a flammable substance in the 
form of gas or vapour or dust, when mixed with air, is present in such proportions 

that it can explode when in contact with an ignition source. 
 
Area Classification 

Hazardous areas are classified with respect to the potential danger or an explosion, 
and the areas are divided into zones: 

 

CONDITIONS 

CE Code 

EC 

Continuously Hazardous 

Division 1  Zone 0 - An area in which an explosive gas/air mixture is 

continuously present or is present for long periods. 

Periodically Hazardous 

Division 1  Zone 1 - An area in which an explosive gas/air mixture is 

likely to occur under normal operating conditions. 

Occasionally Hazardous 

Division 2  Zone 2 - An area in which an explosive gas/air mixture is 

unlikely to occur, but if it occurs, it will be of short duration. 

 

Gases & vapour classification 
Gases are grouped together basing on the amount of energy required to ignite the 

most explosive mixture of the gases with air. Equipment is classified into groups 
according to the gases and vapours for which it is suitable and must be selected 
with a grouping, which covers the gases and vapours which, will be present where 

it is to be installed: 
 

Group 

Representative Gas 

Ignition Energy 

I 

IIA 

IIB 
IIC 

Methane 

Propane 

Ethylene 

Hydrogen 

320 Microjoules 
300 Microjoules 

160 Microjoules 

40 Microjoules 

 

GAS 

CE CODE 

IEC 

Acetylene 

Class I, Group A 

Group IIC 

Hydrogen, Butadiene, Ethylene Oxide, Propylene Oxide, or Acrolein  Class I, Group B 

Group IIC 

Ethylene, Cyclopropane, Ethyl Ether, or Ethylene 

Class I, Group C 

Group IIB 

Propane, Acetone, Alcohol, Ammonia, Benzine, Benzol, Butane, 
Gasoline, Hexane, Laquer Solvent vapours, Naptha, Natural Gas 

Class I, Group D 

Group IIA 

Coal Mines 

Gaseous Mines 

Group 1 

Combustible Dusts 

Class II 

 

Ignitable Fibres or Flying 

Class III 

 

 
To ensure the suitability of electrical equipment for use in hazardous areas, the 

equipment is certified and uses various techniques known as Methods of 
Protection. As not all Methods of Protection are suitable for all hazardous areas, 
care must be taken to select equipment, which is suitable for use in the Zone in 

which it is installed. 
 

Zone 0 

Zone 1 

Zone 2 

Ex ia - Intrinsic safety 
Ex s - Special protection if 

specifically certified for Zone 0 

Method suitable for Zone 0 
Ex ib - Intrinsic Safety 

Ex d - Flameproof enclosure 
Ex e - Increased safety 

Ex m - Encapsulation 
Ex s - Special protection 

Method suitable for Zone 0 or l 
Ex N - Type of protection N 

Ex o - Oil immersion* 
Ex q - Powder filling* 

Ex p - Pressurised or purging 

* may be suitable for Zone 1