What is Class 1 Div 2 Lighting?

Hazardous location classifications, as defined by the National Electric Code (NEC) and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), are used to determine the appropriate lighting and electrical equipment for environments where ignitable gases, vapors, flammable liquids, or combustible dusts may be present.

Class I Division 2 LED Lighting fixtures are designed for classified areas where ignitable gases or vapors may be present in the air under abnormal conditions, such as equipment failure or the escape of hazardous substances from containers or closed systems. Divisions differentiate between environments where a hazardous atmosphere is always present (Division 1) and those where it is only occasionally present (Division 2), with Class I Division 2 specifically for areas where hazards occur only during abnormal conditions.

The classification system further uses four groups (A, B, C, D) to categorize flammable gases and vapors based on their ignition properties, explosion pressures, and other characteristics, and the correct group must be determined for safe operation. For example, in an industrial setting or storage area, a hazardous atmosphere might occasionally occur due to a spill, system failure, or accidental escape of flammable materials into the air.

Under normal operation, flammable substances are typically confined within containers or closed systems, and only escape into the atmosphere in the event of a failure. Hazardous locations can also be classified based on the presence of combustible dusts or flammable liquids, and the specific materials stored or used in these areas influence the classification. As an electrician, C1D2 lighting requirements are defined in the National Electrical Code and the National Fire Protection Association.

What is a Class 1 Div 2 Hazardous Area?

Class 1 hazardous areas are divided into four groups (A, B, C, D) based on the type of ignitable material present. Groups are categorized by the specific gases or vapors found: (A) Acetylene, (B) Hydrogen, (C) Ethylene or Propane, and (D) Propane, Butane, Methane, and Benzene. The classification system is used to determine the correct group for each hazardous location by assessing the properties of the ignitable gases or vapors, such as ignition temperature and explosion pressure. Division 1 and Division 2 differ in whether the hazardous environment is always or sometimes present.

What are the Benefits of Class 1 Div 2 Lighting in Hazardous Locations?

Like other LED lights, hazardous location area lights provide the same key benefits.

• Long Life: Years of maintenance-free life without bulb or ballast changes, reducing or eliminating maintenance costs
• Reduced Energy Bills: You can expect to reduce your energy costs and lighting bills by 50% to 75% with lower energy consumption versus traditional lighting.
• Energy Efficiency: LED fixtures are known for their efficiency and energy savings. They convert most of the electricity used into light. Very little heat is created. This will reduce your HVAC load and is a cost-effective lighting solution.
• Safer Areas: LED Lights are reliable, producing high-quality lighting for a long time versus metal halide and fluorescent lighting. It keeps the areas lit by LED high bays safer and well-lit.
• Instant On: LED Lights turn 100% the moment you hit the light switch.
• Easy to install: There is nothing difficult about installing and wiring our high bay lights for either new installations or replacing old high bays. All instructions are included.

What are the Best Hazardous Location Applications for Class 1 Division 2 LED Lighting?

• Chemical processing plants
• Aircraft maintenance areas
• Enclosed fueling stations
• Paint spray booths
• Offshore oil and gas rigs
• Chemical storage units
• Ship tanks
• Refineries
• Oil and gas storage
• Grain silos
• Dry Cleaning Plants
• Electrical Generation using Natural Gas
• Storage areas for flammable liquids or gases
• Industrial settings with hazardous materials or electrical equipment

Class 1 Division 2 LED Lighting FAQs

Is Atex Rated the Same as Class 1 Div 2?

It's not. ATEX (ATmosphere EXplosibles) is a competing France certification. In the United States, we rely on the UL844 certification for Class 1 Division 2 Light fixtures, not the ATEX standard.

Can I Get Away with Using a Vapor Tight Fixture when Flammable Gases Are Present?

No. Never use a vapor-tight fixture in place of a Class 1 Div 2 LED lighting fixture. It does not provide the safety and certification required for hazardous locations. Vapor-proof fixtures are perfect for the applications they are designed for. But they are not designed to replace Class 1 Division 2 lights.

Does Class 1 Div 2 LED Lighting Need to be Sealed?

UL844 Class 1 Div 2 certification is very specific about what a fixture must or must not have. If you buy a light that is tested and certified to this standard, you meet the requirement. There is no concern about needing to supply an extra seal for these fixtures, it is 100% complete.

Is IP66 Wet Location Rating a Class 1 Div 2 Rating?

IP66 is a dust and water ingress standard. It is used to tell you how waterproof and dustproof the fixture is. Our C1D2 LED lights are also IP66 (or higher) rated, but that is not the standard that makes them rated for explosive environments.

Is the Cord Rated Class 1 Div 2 or Do I Need to Remove It?

Most of our C1D2 Hazardous Location LED Lighting includes at least a 1-foot power cord. It is intended to show how the fixture is wired. In most cases, the installation includes wiring to the driver/wiring box on the fixture. Your local Building Inspector or Fire Marshal governs installation and wiring requirements. Please refer to them for hazardous location requirements for new installations. If you already have fixtures installed that you are upgrading, in most cases you will be able to reuse the conduit and junction boxes. This is assuming you will be mounting the same as the current installation. The installation of these fixtures requires no exposed bare wires.

Does Class 1 Div 2 Require Intrinsically Safe Certifications?

It does not. Class 1 Div 2 LED lighting can be either explosive-rated or Intrinsically safe lighting. These are two different ways engineers came up with solving the same problem. The lights cannot create an explosion inside a hazardous environment.

What Accessories Are Needed to Install Class 1 Div 2 Lighting?

Everything this light connects to inside the room must also be Class 1 Div 2 rated or higher. There are some accessories available, but they are limited due to the special nature of this fixture. Let us know what your needs are and we can identify the exact requirements you have.

What is the Best Way to Install Class 1 Div 2 Hazardous Location LED Lighting?

You should never do this by yourself. This must be done by a qualified electrician.