European Cables for Hazardous Location

[timm333]

Does anybody know a European manufacturer that makes cables for hazardous locations (Zone 1 and 21)?

I was looking at the webasitre of LAPP cables but they don't have cables for zones 1 and 21.

 

[EricAXEWC]

I'm not that familiar with European hazardous locations requirements, do you know what cable types are allowed?

For example in the US Type MC is allowed in Class 1, Div 2 locations but this isn't spelled out on every datasheet. It's possible Lapp has some cables that are allowed but aren't described as such.

I would look at Nexans and Prysmian as well.

 

[timm333]

Thanks EricAXEWC, the Nexens cables are impressive. The cable at the following link is for onshore oil and gas facility, so it must be good for hazardous zones 1 & 2.

https://www.nexans.com/eservice/Fra...540122992/IEC_60502_1_Unarmoured_4_x_185.html

But I am superseded they have not mentioned in the specification that this cable is good for hazardous zones 1 and 21.

Is it normal in European cables that they don't mention in the specifications that the cable is suitable for hazardous zones 1 and 21?

 

[ScottyUK]

Allied to the correct gland, many common industrial cables are suitable for zones 1 and 21. The key factor may be the choice of a compression gland or a barrier gland.


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If we learn from our mistakes I'm getting a great education!

 

[EricAXEWC]

Typically I would expect a manufacturer to list it to assist customers like yourself who are specifically looking for cable for hazardous environments. But specs are specs, some are better than others.

Attached is a document that discusses cable gland requirements in hazardous locations. It references European standards (EN) and their British (BS) counterparts.

I recommend looking at the country specific requirements you will need to meet, as always the AHJ has the final say on what is allowed / not allowed.

 

[ScottyUK]

BS5308 - standard instrument cable
BS5467 - standard power cable, steel wire armoured
BS6116 - obsolete, elastomer-insulated cable
BS6346 - standard power cable, PVC insulated so not so common these days
BS6724 - standard LSF power cable
BS6883 - offshore elastomer-insulated cable
BS7917 - offshore elastomer-insulated cable

I didn't recognise the last two types at all, but the others are standard cables which may be used in a hazardous area when correctly glanded. I doubt you will find a BS cable specifically qualified for a hazardous area duty, other than for mining, but that industry comes under its own set of rules and regulations anyway.


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If we learn from our mistakes I'm getting a great education!

 

[EEIre]

See IEC60079-14 Electrical apparatus for explosive gas atmospheres — Part 14: Electrical installations in
hazardous areas (other than mines) Section 9 Wiring systems

Usually the cables are not certified for hazardous areas, it is up to the designer to select cables that comply with the requirements of IEC60079-14

As noted above the most important thing is to select the correct cable gland. You will find some pretty good info on this site

http://www.ehawke.com/index.html

 

[timm333]

Most European cable manufacturers make industrial power cables suitable for Class-2 Stranding (

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IEC_60228)

However I see that LAPP makes Class-5 power cables.

In my opinion it might be totally unnecessary to use Class-5 cables for industrial motor applications.

Please comment.

 

[ScottyUK]

'Might' is the correct word. Depends totally on the application, which so far we don't know.


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If we learn from our mistakes I'm getting a great education!

 

[7anoter4]

I agree with Scotty. See:

http://www.exindustries.com/prod_cables.htm

But I'd prefer MC-HL cable for exposed hazardous location or use of suitable conduit and accessories as per NEC art.500…