China: Explosive Areas & Electrical Equip

[mbk2k3]

Doing some research on how to identify electrical equipment requirements in explosive areas, as per chinese standards....have a few questions.

Some generic questions:

1. I keep finding sources that say some chinese standards correspond to IEC standards (

http://www.sourceiec.com/Chapter 22 World Standards.pdf).

How closely are the two related?

2. Seems like Chinese standards (GB-50016 Code of Design on Building Fire Protection and Prevention) use Class A,B,C,D,E based on certain criteria of hazardous area classifications, and IEC standards (IEC 60079 Electrical Apparatus for Explosive Atmospheres) uses Zone 0,1,2,20,21,22 for its classifications. Can any type of a relationship be established between these two classification methods, or are they unrelated?

3. For the project, a hazardous area classification study was done according to GB-50016. Can this be used to identify electrical equipment requirements?

Can anyone with Chinese projects expertise comment on this?

Thank you in advance.

 

[mbk2k3]

follow up question:

there are different protection methods that can be used in hazardous areas according to IEC 60079.

Prevent potential ignition arising -> increased safety (60079-7), type -n protection (60079-15)

Limit the ignition energy of equipment -> intrinsic safety (60079-11)

Prevent explosive atmosphere contacting ignition source -> encapsulation/oil immersion/etc. (60079-18)

My question is, if my goal is to prevent sparks from igniting any combustible gases in the area, which one of these would be cheapest? which one would be most effective?

I intend on getting answers from some motor vendors, but with holidays doubt i'll be able to get in touch with many vendors.

 

[ScottyUK]

Motors tend to be either Ex'e' or Ex'd'.

As for Chinese hazardous area motors... well I wouldn't even consider using one. I want myself and everyone I work with to go home safe at night, and what I've seen of Chinese motors so far wouldn't give me the slightest confidence of meeting that goal. I guess that steers you toward North American and European manufacturers, and I suppose I should include Australian and some far-Eastern manufacturers too, who have had their products qualified through China's absurdly complex indigenous standards.


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