Equipment Protection Level (EPL)
In recent years also the Equipment Protection Level is specified for several kinds of protection. The required Protection level is linked to the intended use in the zones described below:
| Group | Ex risk | Zone | EPL | Minimum type of protection |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I (mines) | energized | Ma | ||
| I (mines) | de-energized in presence of Ex atmosphere | Mb | ||
| II (gas) | explosive atmosphere > 1000 hrs/yr | 0 | Ga | ia, ma |
| II (gas) | explosive atmosphere between 10 and 1000 hrs/yr | 1 | Gb | ib, mb, px, py, e, o, q, s |
| II (gas) | explosive atmosphere between 1 and 10 hrs/yr | 2 | Gc | n, ic, pz |
| III (dust) | explosive surface > 1000 hrs/yr | 20 | Da | |
| III (dust) | explosive surface between 10 and 1000 hrs/yr | 21 | Db | |
| III (dust) | explosive surface between 10 and 10 hrs/yr | 22 | Dc |
Read more about this topic: Electrical Equipment In Hazardous Areas
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