What Are the Advantages of Explosion Proof Lights？

Trade and engineering professionals working with an on-site explosion risk will be very familiar with the need for ultra-reliable ATEX, or explosion proof certified lighting. But not everyone realises that the benefits of these high-performance lights will go well beyond meeting safety requirements.

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Our overview of explosion-proof lighting is essential for anyone responsible for sourcing or using lighting in high-risk environments such as heavy engineering, offshore facilities, distilleries, and beyond.

But how exactly do these lighting systems work—and what makes them a smart investment for your worksite?

The Essentials of Explosion Proof Lighting

Like every safety topic with the very real potential to be a life-or-death safety issue, the regulations and requirements behind explosion risk and lighting are complex and extremely specific.

As an introduction, the features designed into SA Equip explosion proof lighting for increased safety are straightforward.

• Intrinsically Safe: Purpose-made not to cause a spark or reach a temperature high enough to cause ignition in an explosive atmosphere
• IP Rated: Rated enclosures designed to protect users from any hazardous internal parts, protect the internal equipment from external objects and stop the ingress of water
• Impact/Drop Tested: SA Equip lighting products are subjected to multiple impact tests to check for compliance in explosive atmospheres
• Max Heat Generating ‘T’ Rated: T-rating means the maximum surface temperature created by an SA Equip light can be matched to the temperature threshold for a hazardous area.

In the case of SA Equip portable ATEX lighting, our products are also purpose-built to meet area classification zones 0, 1 and 2 for gas, and zones 20, 21 and 22 for dust risks. This covers a range of expected explosive atmospheres from the chance of a short period of exposure through to frequent, continuous or extended presence of explosion-causing factors.

Ultimately, these installations are a life-saving requirement for many projects and demand the highest standards of manufacturing and engineering in every unit.

The Benefits of Explosion-Proof Lighting

The ultra-high standards of build and reliability found in these lighting units also bring benefits above and beyond explosion risk reduction. Our clients often specify our portable EX lighting for a range of worksites across the globe for several reasons.

• Cost Advantage: Exceptionally high durability and efficiency as standard mean a better choice from a maintenance and operating cost point-of-view.
• Eco-Friendly: Explosion proof LED lights do not contain toxic or harmful substances, such as mercury and lead, that are harmful to the environment.
• Breakage Reduction: SA Equip portable EX lighting can withstand a higher threshold of rough treatment compared to standard lights.
• Lifespan: Our worklight range boasts an average lifespan of 50,000+ hours.
• Drop Tests & Waterproofing: Our solutions are tested and certified to meet the highest industry standards around drop tests & waterproofing, including to IP66 and IP67 Ratings.

SA Equip: Trusted Worldwide Where Performance Counts

We’re much more than just an equipment ‘supplier’. We actively help clients across the globe to safely achieve optimal ventilation, heat, power and lighting results in challenging environments using stand-alone, even bespoke, solutions.

Explosion proof lighting is lighting fixtures designed for use in environments with chemicals, gasses, high heat, flammable dust, and liquids. They are specially designed with a rugged enclosure to contain any explosion within the light fixture and prevent it from causing a fire outbreak or igniting the flammable materials in the environment.

Explosion proof lighting reduces the risk of ignition that could occur when flammable materials come in contact with sparks from the light bulb or even the heat generated by regular light bulbs. This is achieved by enclosing all the light fixture components in a durable compartment that can contain any internal explosion. Although explosion proof lights have rigid lenses, they are not always vapor-tight; hence, they don't perform the same function as vapor-tight-proof lights and might not be wholly protected against liquid ingress.

According to the National Electric Code (NEC) published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), it has been mandated that all lighting fixtures used in hazardous locations should be explosion-proof. This is a measure that has to be taken to improve the safety of workers.

As a result, explosion proof lights have been specially designed and approved for these locations, considering the dangers posed during work activities. Ex-proof lights have a robust enclosure that secures the light bulb, wires, sockets, etc., against contact from explosive materials in the air.

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On the flip side, ordinary lighting fixtures do not offer such protection, which means the bulb, and wiring, are exposed to flammable materials. For this reason, you should use explosion proof lights to improve the safety of workers in risky environments.

Why Choose LED Explosion Proof Lighting?

Different explosion proof lights use different bulb technology like the High-Intensity Discharge bulb and halogen bulb, but choosing LED light has many advantages. The major one is cost-efficiency. Although LEDs have higher initial costs, the cost of maintenance is low. Unlike other bulbs, they can last for over 50 000 hours, so you don't have to replace them so often.

LED explosion proof lights are environmentally preferable. They do not contain any harmful chemicals or ultraviolet rays so they are safe to use. LEDs can also be recycled since they are eco-friendly.

In addition, LED bulbs are versatile. They work well in cold weather and do not dim or flicker like fluorescent bulbs. LEDs have good lumen maintenance; the brightness of the light doesn't reduce drastically over time. The light output reduces slowly until burnout time.

What Are the Advantages of Using Led Explosion Proof Lightings?

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• Durability: Explosion-proof lights are highly durable. They can withstand high pressure and tough working environments due to their sturdy makeup. These are your best choice for confined work spaces.
   
• Mobility: Explosion-proof lights have thick lens enclosures made to resist vibrations. They can be transported effortlessly from one location to another without the risk of shattering or malfunctioning. This makes explosion-proof lights the most suitable choice for businesses requiring movable lighting.
   
• Lesser Heat Emission: Explosion-proof LED lights emit less heat, about 90% less than incandescent bulbs. They also use lesser voltage. This reduces the chances of heat causing sparks in the light fixture, reducing the occurrence of an internal explosion.
   
• Efficiency: Explosion-proof lights are highly efficient. They consume less energy and produce high-quality lighting. These diodes can last up to 100,000 hours, and thanks to their durable enclosures, there is less risk of leakages or breakage that will cause the bulb to go bad quickly.
   
• Multiple Options: Explosion-proof lights have multiple application options. You can mount them using different methods like poles, rails, and other mounts, increasing the flexibility of this light fixture. 

Classification of Rough Locations

Hazardous locations are classified according to the category of flammable material present in the environment. Explosion-proof lights are designed to fall into different classifications of risky locations. This classification is based on National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 70®, National Electric Code® (NEC). The most common classification is the class, division, and group classification.

Explosion Proof Lights vs. Intrinsically Safe Lights

People often confuse these two light fixtures; however, while they achieve the same purpose, which is to prevent fire outbreaks, there is a big difference in how they achieve this.

Explosion proof lights are designed to contain any explosion within the light fixture to prevent it from spreading outside. Their durable covers act as a barrier so, in case of an explosion, the spark will be contained. This prevents the spark from igniting the flammable particles and gases in the atmosphere, thereby preventing a fire outbreak.

On the flip side, intrinsically safe lighting is powered by low-voltage bulbs like LED bulbs. They are designed to limit the amount of energy consumed so that sparks cannot occur, preventing internal explosions. Intrinsically safe lights often use batteries and rechargeable batteries instead of electricity.

Unlike explosion-proof lights, intrinsically safe lights are designed to prevent explosions instead of containing them. A typical industrial intrinsically safe light circuit will have a temperature sensor installed to limit the amount of energy consumed.

Conclusion

Explosion proof lights are enclosed in hard lenses to reduce the chances of a fire outbreak when a light bulb ignites a flammable material. They are designed to contain the explosion to prevent its spread.

LED explosion proof lights are durable and can be easily moved around. They also consume less energy and have high lumens. Explosion proof LED light has low heat emission which helps to reduce the risk of explosion.