BS EN 60079-7:2015 specifies the requirements for the design, construction, testing and marking of electrical equipment and Ex Components with type of protection increased safety "e" intended for use in explosive gas atmospheres.

Electrical equipment and Ex Components of type of protection increased safety "e" are either:

• Level of Protection "eb" (EPL "Mb" or "Gb"); or
• Level of Protection "ec" (EPL "Gc")

Level of Protection "eb" applies to equipment or Ex Components, including their connections, conductors, windings, lamps, and batteries; but not including semiconductors or electrolytic capacitors.

NOTE 1 The use of electronic components, such as semiconductors or electrolytic capacitors, is excluded from Level of Protection "eb" as expected malfunctions could result in excessive temperatures or arcs and sparks if the internal separation distances were not applied. It is not generally practical to maintain those separation distances and maintain the function of the electronic component. Level of Protection "ec" applies to equipment or Ex Components, including their connections, conductors, windings, lamps, and batteries; and also including semiconductors and electrolytic capacitors.

NOTE 2 The use of electronic components, such as semiconductors or electrolytic capacitors, is permitted in Level of Protection "ec" as these are evaluated under both normal conditions and regular expected occurrences, and are not likely to result in excessive temperatures or arcs and sparks. As the requirements for separation distances are not applied to the internal construction, commercially available electronic components are generally suitable if the external separation distances comply.

The requirements of this standard apply to both Levels of Protection unless otherwise stated.

For Level of Protection "eb", this standard applies to electrical equipment where the rated voltage does not exceed 11 kV r.m.s., a.c. or d.c.

For Level of Protection "ec", this standard applies to electrical equipment where the rated voltage does not exceed 15 kV r.m.s., a.c. or d.c.

NOTE 3 Short circuit currents flowing through increased safety connections of mains circuits are not considered to create a significant risk of ignition of an explosive gas atmosphere due to movement of connections as a result of mechanical stresses created by the short circuit current. Normal industrial standards require that the effects of short time high currents on the security of connections be considered. The presence of the explosive gas atmosphere does not adversely affect the security of the connection.

NOTE 4 Any short term thermal excursions that occur as a result of electrical current excursions above normal rated currents, such as those that occur during the starting of motors, are not considered to create a significant risk of ignition of an explosive gas atmosphere due to the relatively short duration of the event and the convection that occurs during the event.

NOTE 5 High-voltage connections and associated wiring (above 1 kV) can be susceptible to increased partial discharge activity that could be a source of ignition. Increased spacings to earthed surfaces or other connections and provision of suitable high-voltage stress relief for the terminations are typically provided.


Cross References:
IEC 60034-1
EN 60034-1
IEC 60044-6
EN 60044-6
IEC 60061-1
EN 60061-1
IEC 60061-2
EN 60061-2
IEC 60064
EN 60064
IEC 60068-2-6
EN 60068-2-6
IEC 60068-2-27:2008
EN 60068-2-27:2009
IEC 60068-2-42
EN 60068-2-42
IEC 60079-0
EN 60079-0
IEC 60079-1
EN 60079-1
IEC 60079-11
EN 60079-11
IEC 60079-30-1
EN 60079-30-1
IEC 60085
EN 60085
IEC 60112
EN 60112
IEC 60216-1
EN 60216-1
IEC 60216-2
EN 60216-2
IEC 60228
EN 60228
IEC 60238
EN 60238
IEC 60317-3:2004
IEC 60317-3:2004/A1:2010
IEC 60317-8
EN 60317-8
IEC 60317-13
EN 60317-13
IEC 60317-46
EN 60317-46
IEC 60400
EN 60400
IEC 60432-1
EN 60432-1
IEC 60432-2
EN 60432-2
IEC 60432-3
EN 60432-3
IEC 60529
IEC 60598-1
EN 60598-1
IEC 60664-1
EN 60664-1
IEC 60947-1
EN 60947-1
IEC 60947-7-1
EN 60947-7-1
IEC 60947-7-2
EN 60947-7-2
IEC 60947-7-4
EN 60947-7-4
IEC 60998-2-4
EN 60998-2-4
IEC 60999-1
EN 60999-1
IEC 60999-2
EN 60999-2
IEC 61184
EN 61184
IEC 61195
EN 61195
IEC 61347-1
EN 61347-1
IEC 61347-2-3
EN 61347-2-3
IEC 62035
EN 62035
ISO 178
EN ISO 178
ISO 527-2
EN ISO 527-2
ISO 2859-1
94/9/EC
IEC/TS 60034-17
CLC/TS 60034-17
IEC 60034-18-41
EN 60034-18-41
IEC/TS 60034-25
CLC/TS 60034-25
IEC 60079-14
EN 60079-14
IEC 60079-17
EN 60079-17
IEC 60079-18
EN 60079-18
IEC 60079-20-1
EN 60079-20-1
IEC 60079-28
EN 60079-28
IEC 60079-29-2
EN 60079-29-2
IEC 60079-30-2
EN 60079-30-2
IEC 60079-35-1
EN 60079-35-1
IEC 60086-1
EN 60086-1
IEC 60095-1
EN 60095-1
IEC 60364-5-55
EN 60364-5-55
IEC 60622
EN 60622
IEC 60623
EN 60623
IEC 60664-3
EN 60664-3
IEC 60927
EN 60927
IEC 61008-1
EN 61008-1
IEC 61056-1
EN 61056-1
IEC 61347-2-1
EN 61347-2-1
IEC 61347-2-4
EN 61347-2-4
IEC 61347-2-7
EN 61347-2-7
IEC 61347-2-8
EN 61347-2-8
IEC 61347-2-9
EN 61347-2-9
IEC 61347-2-13
EN 61347-2-13
IEC 61951-1
EN 61951-1
IEC 62013-1
EN 62013-


Partially replaces BS EN 60079-15:2010 which remains current

All current amendments available at time of purchase are included with the purchase of this document.