Everything You Need to Know About Explosion Proof Lighting

Explosion proof lighting is integral for any business that operates in hazardous environments, where potentially explosive gases and vapours are present. Employees working in a hazardous environment are constantly exposed to the threat of potential explosions that may occur if safety precautions are not implemented properly.

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Therefore, it is imperative for you to understand how explosion proof lighting can benefit your business and the safety of your workers. However, it can be confusing to define what constitutes an explosion proof lighting fixture and how it differs from standard lighting fixtures. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview on explosion proof lighting that will help you make a more informed decision for your business.

What is Explosion Proof Lighting?

Explosion proof lighting refers to lighting fixtures that are able to contain sparks that could potentially ignite the flammable and explosive gases in the atmosphere. Therefore, explosion proof lighting does not refer to lighting equipment that are resistant to explosions but rather, the capacity to prevent external explosions from occurring in a hazardous location.

An explosion proof lighting fixture is typically encased in a thick frame that is usually made from a sturdy material like steel or aluminium. Ex proof lighting fixtures are also equipped with extremely durable lenses that can withstand harsh working conditions and prevent cracks, which can result in leaks.

Why Choose Explosion Proof Lighting?

Installing explosion proof lighting significantly reduces the risk of explosions by preventing the ignition of surrounding flammable gases and vapours. Furthermore, the National Electric Code (NEC) published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) mandates that all lighting equipment used in hazardous locations need to be explosion proof.

Due to the robust design of explosion proof lighting fixtures, the risk of explosions and ignitions occurring are extremely low. Thus, this greatly improves the safety of employees working in hazardous locations as well.

Ex Proof Design

In a standard light fixture, the bulb, contacts, wiring, and any switches are all directly exposed to the local atmosphere. The spark from a loose contact or the movement of the switch, and even the heat of the bulb can be enough to ignite a flammable atmosphere. In an explosion proof light fixture, any explosions that may occur are contained inside the fixture.

Components in a standard lighting fixture such as the bulb, wiring, contacts and switches are exposed to the atmosphere. As such, any sparks caused by the sudden change in energy inside the fixture may potentially be able to ignite the flammable gases in the atmosphere. Conversely, the components of an explosion proof lighting fixture are encased to prevent potential sparks or flames from escaping the internal housing unit.

However, this does not mean that there has to be an airtight seal around the components of an ex proof lighting fixture to prevent the flammable gases in the surrounding atmosphere from penetrating the housing unit. It just means that the explosion proof lighting fixture will be able to contain the explosion within its housing unit. This prevents the explosion from spreading outside the unit which could cause additional damage to equipment and injury to employees.

High Durability

An ex proof light typically has higher durability compared to its standard lighting counterpart. As explosion proof lighting fixtures are often built with sturdier and heavier materials, they are able to withstand harsher working environments. This means that explosion proof lights will not be as easily damaged as standard lighting fixtures which makes it a better option for operations in confined spaces. Therefore, the high durability of explosion proof lighting fixtures helps to reduce maintenance and furbishing costs for your business.

Greater Mobility

Thanks to being built with a stronger frame and thicker tempered glass lenses, explosion proof lights are highly resistant to vibrations. This allows for greater mobility as the ex proof lights can be transported from one place to another by forklifts or other transport machinery without the risk of getting damaged easily. On the other hand, standard lighting fixtures are not as mobile as even the slightest bumps or movement might cause them to be damaged and malfunction. As such, explosion proof lighting fixtures are more portable than standard lights, which makes it the ideal choice for businesses that require mobile illumination for operations.

Greater Efficiency

Explosion proof LED lights are more energy efficient compared to traditional lighting fixtures. An ex proof LED light consumes approximately 90 percent less energy than a standard lighting fixture. This means that explosion proof LED lights are capable of working at their original level of illumination and can last up to 100,000 hours. As such, explosion proof LED lights have longer lifespans than conventional lighting fixtures. Therefore, installing explosion proof LED lights will allow you to save on operation and production costs.

Lesser Heat Emissions

Explosion proof LED lights also emit less heat thanks to their heat saving features. This generally reduces the chances of producing sparks which means that flammable gases and vapours in hazardous locations will not be ignited.

Explosion Proof LED Lights Are Eco-Friendly

In addition to their energy saving advantages, explosion proof LED lights do not contain toxic or harmful substances, such as mercury and lead, that are harmful to the environment. Therefore, using explosion proof LED lights instead of traditional lighting fixtures allow businesses to be eco-friendly as well.

Conclusion

As industrial experts, we understand the numerous benefits that explosion proof lighting can bring to your business. Therefore, we highly encourage you to incorporate the use of explosion proof lights especially if your business operates in a confined space at a hazardous location. Moreover, the low visibility and mobility of confined spaces, such as oil rigs and petrochemical plants, makes it necessary to install explosion proof lights in order to carry out maintenance and inspection.

Supermec offers a wide range of explosion proof lighting fixtures to cater to your business needs. All of our lighting solutions are customised to meet the strict guidelines and standards in the industry. Contact our friendly sales team at  to find out more about our ex proof lighting solutions. Alternatively, you can visit our ecommerce platform where you can browse through the complete range of our explosion proof lighting fixtures for hazardous areas at your leisure.

LED Explosion Proof Lighting is very significant for places requiring safety in hazardous environments. Specific lighting fixtures are designed to stand harsh conditions without causing any form of ignition, ensuring the dangerous area is safe. Where then are these lights required? Let's dive into the major applications and why LED Explosion Proof Lighting is the best option for such settings.

What is LED Explosion Proof Lighting?

Before we mention its applications, let's start with the very basic understanding of what explosion proof lighting is. Unlike traditional lights, such fixtures are engineered to confine sparks or heat that could incinerate a flammable material in hazardous locations. The LED variant provides a more energy-efficient, tougher, and much longer-lasting model that makes it the top pick for use in industries and commerce.

Industries That Need Explosion Proof Lighting

1. Oil and Gas Industry

The oil and gas sector involves extremely flammable products like petroleum, natural gas, and vapors. Facilities that include drilling rigs, refineries, and storage tanks require explosion-proof lighting to avoid dangers that might be caused when these volatile substances are ignited.

2. Chemical Plants

Chemical production deals with flammable and reactive chemicals. An area with the possibility of reaction to release gases or vapors should be always lit with explosion-proof LED lighting that enables safe operating areas.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of explosion proof lighting led. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

3. Mining Operation

Mines tend to have flammable gases, mainly methane. The use of explosion-proof lighting reduces the prospects of spontaneous ignition that risk miners in underground tunnels as well as mining sites

4. Manufacturing Plants

This happens to any process industry dealing with paint manufacturing, solvent-based systems, or fine powder plants that produce flour or sugar processing. In all these operations, explosion-proof lighting ensures safety, as it has no scope of any ignition sources.

5. Food and Beverage Processing

The food processing industries also demand explosion-proof lighting, especially in locations which collect dust or products of alcohol-based.

6. Pharmaceutical Plants

The process of pharmaceutical manufacture demands VOCs. There is no risk of explosion from accidental ignition from explosion-proof light.

7. Sewerage Treatment Plants

Some form of methane gas exists in most sewerage treatment plants so require explosion-proof lighting. Normally found in sewerage processing plants, and collection systems.

8. Marine and Offshore Installation

Ship facilities, oil rig installations, and other offshore-related facilities tend to work in hazardous conditions. Explosion-proof lighting would eliminate the possibility of any released gas or flammable elements.

Advantages of LED Explosion Proof Lighting

Energy Efficiency: LEDs are energy-efficient and consume much less energy than the traditional lights. This reduces the operational costs of the lighting.

Durability: The lights are designed to withstand harsh environments and resist vibrations, extreme temperatures, and corrosion.

Safety: The highly advanced design ensures that sparks or heat cannot escape the fixture; hence, explosions in hazardous zones are avoided.

Low Maintenance: The long service life and rugged build ensure that the explosion-proof LED light hardly needs any maintenance so it can be safely employed.

Environmentally Friendly: LEDs are mercury-free, and they do not overheat, which means a more environmentally friendly solution

Compliance and Safety Standards

Explosion-proof lighting is under strict regulations and safety measures such as:

• NEC

• ATEX

• IECEx

International Electrotechnical Commission System for Certification to Standards Relating to Equipment for Use in Explosive Atmospheres

When choosing LED explosion-proof lighting, ensure that the lights have those certifications for maximum safety and performance.

Conclusion

LED Explosion Proof Lighting is an essential safety element in industrial settings with flammable material and hazardous conditions. Such lights from oil rigs to food processing plants ensure safety, efficiency, and safety compliance.

If you would like to upgrade your facility with reliable explosion-proof lighting solutions, check out our excellent range of LED Explosion Proof Lighting options at LEDMyplace. We have energy-efficient designs and industry-grade certifications for all your hazardous lighting requirements.

For more information, please visit fluorescent light accessories.