2.4.1 Labeling of the vacuum pump
Classifica-
tion
Description
Device
group
Devices which can be used for applications in potentially explosive atmospheres are
divided into two groups:
Device group I
: Devices for mines susceptible to firedamp (will not be discussed in
any more detail here)
Device group II
: Devices for all other potentially explosive areas with the exception of
underground operations in mines and their surface installations which are susceptible
to hazardous firedamp and / or combustible dust.
Device cate-
gory
Device group II is divided into three categories which vary in their respective degree
of safety.
Devices of
Device category 1
are designed to guarantee an extremely high degree
of safety. They must guarantee the necessary degree of safety even if malfunctions
occur only rarely on the device.
Devices of
Device category 2
are designed to guarantee a high degree of safety.
They must guarantee the necessary degree of safety even with regular occurrences
of malfunctions or fault conditions which are generally to be expected.
Devices of
Device category 3
are designed to guarantee a normal degree of safety.
They guarantee the necessary degree of safety for normal operation.
Combustible
materials
G
: Gases or vapors
D
: Dust (will not be discussed in any more detail here)
Note: The device may only be used in atmospheres susceptible to explosion
due to gases or vapors. Operation in dust-charged, potentially explosive atmos-
pheres is not permitted.
Type of pro-
tection
Identification code “Ex h” designated in the standard DIN EN ISO 80079-36 for non-
electrical equipment. A protection type established for electrical equipment is not
used.
Explosion
groups
Gases and vapors are divided into three Explosion groups based on their particular
ignition capability (IIA, IIB and IIC). The ignition power in this regard decreases from
Explosion group IIA to IIC. (The higher Explosion group, e.g. IIC incorporates the re-
spectively lower IIB and IIA).
Temperature
class
Classification of equipment depending on their maximum surface temperature, in ac-
cordance with assignment as follows:
Temperature class --> Maximum surface temperature/gas temperature:
● T1 --> +450 °C
● T2 --> +300 °C
● T3 --> +200 °C
● T4 --> +135 °C
● T5 --> +100 °C
● T6 --> +85 °C
The temperature class and the actual maximum surface temperature of the equip-
ment includes a safety margin to the minimum ignition temperature of the potentially
explosive atmospheres as stipulated in DIN EN ISO 80079-36.
EPL accord-
ing to
EN 60079
Equipment protection level
EPL Ga
: Equipment with “extremely high” protection level for use in potentially explo-
sive gas atmospheres in which no risk of ignition exists during normal operation, with
foreseeable or infrequent faults/malfunctions.
EPL Gb
: Equipment with “high” protection level for use in potentially explosive gas at-
mospheres in which no risk of ignition exists during normal operation, with foreseea-
ble faults/malfunctions.
EPL Gc
: Equipment with “extended” protection level for use in potentially explosive
gas atmospheres in which no risk of ignition exists during normal operation.
X
Special operating conditions must be observed! Special conditions and notes in the
operating instructions apply.
Ta
Permissible ambient temperature for operation of the vacuum pump prescribed on the
rating plate.
Tbl. 4:
ATEX designations
Safety
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