PX2KXREX | Ex eb, Ex db, Ex nR, Ex ta | Explosive Atmosphere Barrier Cable Gland For all types of Braid & Tape Armoured Cables

Cable Gland & Enclosure Material Selection ‘Quick Guide’

The specific conditions of any installation will play a major part in the selection of the cable gland material, taking into account the level of environmental exposure along with the nature of the enclosure and cable armour or braid material.

IEC 60079-1 – Flameproof Path Properties

A flameproof joint or flame path is defined by IEC 60079-1 as a “place where the corresponding surfaces of two parts of an enclosure, or the conjunction of enclosures, come together and which prevents the transmission of an internal explosion to the explosive gas atmosphere surrounding the enclosure”.

Dust Ignition Prevention

Combustible dust can be ignited by electrical equipment in several ways, for example by: - Surfaces of the equipment that are above the minimum ignition temperature of the dust concerned. - The temperature at which a type of dust ignites is a function of the properties of the dust;

Zone Definitions

Under IEC rules explosive atmospheres are divided into three zones, or areas of risk (in the case of gas and vapour), and IEC 60079-10 recognises these as Zone 0, Zone 1 and Zone 2.

IEC Cable Entry Requirements

Gas & Dust Definitions

Equipment Intended for Hazardous Locations (Class & Zones)

Equipment Intended for Hazardous Locations (Class & Division)

Cable Glands Permitted in Hazardous Locations

Under NEC and CEC wiring code rules the use of IEC certified product is not automatically permitted under the zone classification methods. Globally there are now three methods of selection or application of cable entry devices.

Certification – CSA, cCSAus, UL & cULus

Confusion exits in the market regarding the use and meaning of certification marks such as cCSAus and cULus. Manufacturers can choose to use one or more Nationally Recognised Testing Laboratory (NRTL) to list their products for use in hazardous (Classified) locations.

United States Coast Guard (USCG)

The USCG permits foreign flagged vessels to operate in the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), however, any Explosionproof or Flameproof type ‘d’ equipment must comply with the requirements set out in USCG 46 CFR. Many of these vessels are classified to international standards, utilizing both IECEx and/or ATEX certified equipment in classified locations.

Marking of Cable Glands for Explosive Atmospheres

Cable glands are classified as items of equipment and would usually be marked with the same or similar information as the main equipment. However it should be noted that because of the nature and relatively small size of the product certain exceptions exist when it comes to application of the certification marking. For example as cable glands are passive in respect of the operation of the electrical system they are not given a surface temperature rating (T Rating) during the certification process.

CMP Installation Training

CMP Products is committed to providing a high level of technical support in relation to the supply of its products and offers site installation training as part of its value proposition. All personnel engaged to carry out work at an explosive atmosphere installation should possess the necessary skills, knowledge, experience and competency to perform their duties in a safe and productive manner. Part of the skill set required to achieve the best cable gland performance would include hands-on practical knowledge and experience of the particular product to be installed. The same would also be true for any type of installation which involved explosive atmospheres, and is not only confined to oil and gas facilities.

NPT Thread Specification to ANSI / ASME B1.20.1

National Pipe Taper (NPT) thread is a standard for tapered threads used on threaded pipes and fittings, originating in the United States more than 150 years ago. The taper on NPT threads allows them to form a seal when correctly tightened, as the flanks of the threads compress against each other. Thread grease, lubricating paste or tape is then applied to the joint before tightening to ensure a waterproof installation. The use of grease or tape also helps to limit corrosion on the threads, which otherwise can make future removal or disassembly very difficult.

Ambient Temperature

The service temperature is the surrounding temperature of the environment in which the equipment is installed, whether indoors or outdoors. A given piece of electrical equipment will be approved for a stated maximum service temperature in which it is safe to operate. For example under the IEC 60079 series the normal service temperature range would be -20°C to +40°C, unless otherwise stated on the product certification. In some cases the maximum (or minimum) permitted service temperature will be adjusted taking into account any temperature rise under normal operation and the surface temperature rating of the equipment.

NORSOK Standard E-001

The current NORSOK standard E-001 includes the following requirements related to cables and cable glands. We recommend that users consult the whole of the E-001 standard, and note that the following are selected extracts that may have an effect on the use of our products.