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Safe Ignition Sources
If an atmosphere subject to explosion cannot be prevented in a work area, secondary explosion protection is brought to bear. Secondary measures include prevention of any ignition sources in the Ex area.
However, these are not so easy to detect. Only with knowledge of what can cause a spark or heat can measures be taken to prevent explosions. The ignition sources are listed in the basic standard EN 1127-1 “Atmosphere subject to explosion – Explosion protection Part 1” as well as in the “Technical rules for operational safety” TRBS 2152, Part 3. Appropriate protective measures for preventing ignition sources are also listed there.
WAGO in Explosion Protection
Principles of Explosion Protection
Everything worth knowing about Ex protection at a single glance.
Ignition sources and their causes
| Ignition source | Cause (example) |
| Hot surfaces | Heating devices, mechanical processes due to friction and chipping, heat losses (friction coupling and braking) |
| Electric arcs | Mechanically generated sparks (e.g., due to friction, impact or machining processes), electrical sparks, electrical switch arcs |
| Flames and hot gases | Flames or their hot reaction products such as hot gases and glowing material particles can ignite an explosive atmosphere. |
| Sparks generated mechanically | Friction, impact or machining processes such as grinding, tools such as wrenches, pliers or tools such as a ladder; work on rusty components with aluminum tools (thermite reaction) |
| Electrical systems | Opening and closing of electrical circuits, equalizing currents, electromagnetic fields, conductive dust
Note: Protective low voltage is not a measure to protect against explosion, since ignition is also possible with less than 50 V! |
| Cathode corrosion protection | Reverse current to the current source, induction, short or ground faults |
| Static electricity | Static electric discharge |
| Lightening strike | - |
| Electromagnetic fields | Frequency ranges from 9 x 103 to 3 x 1011 Hz. These include high-frequency equipment such as radio equipment or high-frequency generators. |
| Electromagnetic radiation | Frequency ranges from 3 x 1011 to 3 x 1015 Hz and wavelengths of 1000 to 0.1 μm. This includes optical radiation such as sunlight, lasers, lightning strikes, electric arcs. |
| Ionizing radiation | Ignition due to energy absorption, with causes such as short-wave UV rays, X-rays or radioactive materials |
| Ultrasound | Ignition due to energy absorption, with causes such as short-wave UV rays, X-rays or radioactive materials. |
| Adiabatic compression and streaming gases | Due to the high temperatures that occur due to shock waves and in instances of adiabatic compression, an atmosphere subject to explosion can ignite. |
| Chemical reaction | Due to chemical reactions that cause heat development (exothermic reactions), materials heat up and can cause an explosion. |
Read More Here
What happens during an explosion, which factors are important, and what protective measures are available? Everything you need to know about ATEX, Ex zones, ignition protection categories, etc.
What Is an Explosion?
Ex|plo|si|on; -s <lat.> (explosio) means "escaping under pressure." What happens during an explosion, which factors are important and what protective measures are available? You will learn everything you need to know about explosion protection right here.
Types of Protection
Only equipment protected against explosion is permitted in Ex areas. Ignition protection categories are constructive and electrical measures for equipment and qualify as secondary explosion protection.
Directives, Standards and Regulations
The requirements for electrical equipment for hazardous locations are multi-layered: National and international determinations, guidelines and standards must be complied with to achieve the highest possible level of safety. We give you an overview of the most important regulations and recommendations, such as the ATEX directive.
Learn more about WAGO within the industry here:
