LED Explosion Proof Lights

What is LED Explosion Proof Lighting?

LED Explosion Proof light belongs to a family of industrial lighting fixtures. The design of an explosion proof fixture is very interesting. It forces gas to take longer, complicated routes through different channels and pathways within the inside of the fixture. As the gas travels, it cools down to a safer temperature before being released. Explosion proof lights are not airtight. They allow gases to enter their aluminum casings. Under normal operating conditions, explosion proof lighting is not required. When explosive gas or dust is introduced creating a hazardous environment, that is when explosion proof lighting is needed.

Other common names for LED Explosion Proof Lights are hazardous location lighting, led hazardous location fixtures and wrongfully as intrinsically safe lighting

Explosion proof lighting has many forms and factors. There are explosion rated versions of led high bay lights, led flood lights, hazardous location flood and parking fixtures, among others.

What is Intrinsically Safe LED Lights?

Intrinsically safe lighting fixtures differs from explosion proof lighting fixtures in that they are designed so they cannot create an explosion or spark. For the most part, they tend to be low power, low voltage lighting and often are battery powered.

What are LED Hazardous Location Lights? 

Hazardous locations are characterized as places where flammable or combustible gases, vapors, dust and metals occur in sufficient quantities. They may pose a fire or explosion hazard.

LED lights suitable for hazardous locations are explosion proof lights that require Class 1, Class 2 or Class 3 certifications. Specific divisions and zones further define the type of material present. LED hazardous location fixtures are designed to work in dangerous environments of gas, moisture and dust.

Hazardous area lights are explosion proof rated. In the USA and Canada, UL844 certification is the primary certification for hazardous location lighting.

Hazardous Location lighting is also thought of as Explosion proof lighting, and vice-versa.

Are all LED Lights Explosion Proof?

Not all LED Light Fixtures are explosion proof rated. The standard for explosion proof in North America is UL844 standard. Without this certification by a certified testing lab, the light is not an explosion proof rated fixture. Another standard is ATEX, but this rating is an European standard designed for countries in Europe. 

What is the difference between Class 1 Div 1 and Class 1 Div 2?

Class 1 Div 1 Hazardous Locations are areas that have flammable gases, vapors, and liquids and are present at all times. Class 1 Div 2 Locations are areas that have the same flammible gases, vapors, and liquids but are not present at all times.

What is the difference between Class 1 and Class 2 Explosion Proof Lights?

Class 1 Lighting deals with flammable gases, vapors, and liquids. Class 2 Lighting deals with combustible dust particles.

Are Vapor Tight rated fixtures explosion proof?

No. A Vapor tight fixture is designed to keep non-explosive gases and dust from entering the fixture and causing premature failure of the fixture. It is not designed to keep an explosion, caused from the fixture, from escaping into the external hazardous environment its installed in. Although we sell LED Vapor Tight Fixtures, they should never be used to replace an explosion rated fixture.

Why choose LED Lighting Supply LED Explosion Proof Lights?

We understand explosion proof lighting. We understand the difference between C1D1 and C1D2, and can provide explosion proof lighting plans for your facility. We provide excellent pre-sales and post-sales support. We have explosion proof LED Lights that are ready to ship, in case you need them quickly.

Our explosion proof lights are all wet location rated, so if you need IP rated explosion proof fixtures, we have you covered. We are leaders in industrial led technology. 

Explosion Proof Lights - Requirements and Classifications

Class I division areas are those in which flammable gases or vapors are or may be present in the air. They're in quantities sufficient to produce explosive or ignitable mixtures.

Class 1 Division 1

Flammable concentrations of combustible liquids, vapors or gases exist under normal working conditions.

 

Class 1 Division 2
Flammable concentrations of ignitable vapors, liquids, or gases exist under abnormal working conditions.

 

Class 1 Areas
Group A (acetylene)
Group B (hydrogen)
Group C (ethylene and propane)
Group D (propane, butane, methane, and benzene)

Class II division locations are hazardous because of the presence of combustible dust.

Class 2 Division 1

Combustible concentrations of flammable dusts exist in the atmosphere under normal working conditions.

 

Class 2 Division 2

Combustible concentrations of ignitable dust exist in the atmosphere under abnormal working conditions.

 

Class 2 Areas
Group E (metal dust)
Group F (charcoal and carbon)
Group G (wood, plastic, starch, and flour)

Class III division locations are hazardous because of the presence of ignitable fibers. Fibers or flyings are unlikely to be air suspended in quantities to produce ignition.

Class 3 Division 1

Combustible fibers or materials that produce ignitable particles exist under normal working conditions.

 

Class 3 Division 2

Combustible fibers or materials that produce flammable particles exist under abnormal working conditions.

 

Class 3 Areas

These are not categorized into groups but comprise of sawdust and cotton

Looking for Zone 0, 1 or 2 Explosion Proof Lighting?

Explosion Proof Lights Have a Robust Design for Containment

The main task of LED ExplosionProof lights is to stop an explosion from escaping, whenever one occurs. 

Explosion Proof lights are designed to contain any explosions that happen inside the light. They are not vapor tight fixtures. They are designed, certified and tested so that any issue inside the light is not transferred to the hazardous environment in which they are installed. Never use a non-explosive rated fixture to replace hazardous location lighting.