Intrinsically Safe Radios: FAQs and Everything You Need to Know

 

What is Intrinsically Safe?

 

Intrinsically Safe (IS) is a protection technique applied to electrical equipment used in hazardous areas with potentially explosive atmospheres. These atmospheres can contain flammable gases, vapors, mists, or dust. The core principle of intrinsic safety is to limit the electrical and thermal energy within the equipment to levels that cannot cause ignition, even under fault conditions. This means that even if a component fails or a connection is broken, the equipment will not produce a spark or heat sufficient to ignite the surrounding explosive atmosphere. This is crucial in industries where even a tiny spark could have catastrophic consequences.

 

Do I Need an Intrinsically Safe Radio?

 

Whether you need an Intrinsically Safe two way radio depends entirely on your working environment. If you operate in an area where flammable gases, vapors, or dust are present, an IS radio is essential. Here are two examples:

• Example 1: Oil and Gas Industry: Workers on offshore oil platforms or in refineries are constantly exposed to potentially explosive atmospheres. An Intrinsically Safe radio is vital for communication and ensuring safety in these environments. A standard VHF radio or UHF radio could create a spark and cause a devastating explosion. 
• Example 2: Chemical Plants: Chemical plants often handle flammable liquids and gases. Maintenance personnel, operators, and emergency responders in these facilities rely on Intrinsically Safe radios to communicate safely without the risk of ignition. Even firefighter radio use in such environments often requires IS certification. 

If your work environment is classified as a hazardous area, consult with a safety professional to determine the appropriate level of protection required and whether an Intrinsically Safe two way radio is necessary.

 

Intrinsic Safety Ratings and ATEX Certification

 

Several international standards govern Intrinsically Safe equipment. One of the most widely recognized is the ATEX directive (ATmosphères EXplosibles) in the European Union. ATEX sets out requirements for equipment intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres.

 

Understanding ATEX Markings:

ATEX markings provide detailed information about the equipment’s suitability for different hazardous environments. Here's a breakdown:

Marking Element	Description	Example
Ex	Explosion protection	Ex
Equipment Group	I (Mining) or II (Surface Industries)	II
Equipment Category	1 (Very High protection) 2 (High protection) 3 (Normal protection)	2
Atmosphere	G (Gas, Vapor, Mist) or D (Dust)	G
Protection Type	ia (Intrinsically safe) ib (Intrinsically safe) ic (Intrinsically safe) other protection methods (e.g., d - flameproof)	ib
Gas Group	IIA (Propane) IIB (Ethylene) IIC (Hydrogen)	IIB
Temperature Class	T1 (450°C) T2 (300°C) T3 (200°C) T4 (135°C) T5 (100°C) T6 (85°C)	T4
Equipment Protection Level (EPL)	Ga, Gb, Gc (for gas), Da, Db, Dc (for dust)	Gb

 

• Equipment Group I: Applies to mining applications with methane gas.
• Equipment Group II: Applies to surface industries with explosive gas, vapor, or mist atmospheres. 
• Categories: Define the level of protection. Category 1 is for zones with a high probability of explosive atmospheres, Category 2 for zones with a likely probability, and Category 3 for zones with a low probability.
• Protection Types: "ia" offers the highest level of protection, with two independent faults considered. "ib" offers a high level of protection, with one fault considered. "ic" offers a lower level of protection. 
• Gas Groups: Classify flammable gases based on their ignition energy. IIC is the most stringent, covering gases like hydrogen and acetylene.
• Temperature Class: Represents the maximum surface temperature the equipment can reach, ensuring it won't ignite surrounding gases. 
• Equipment Protection Level (EPL): Defines the level of protection based on the zone of use.

 

Ocean One A600V and A600DU Intrinsically Safe Radios

 

The Ocean One A600V and A600DU are Intrinsically Safe two way radios designed for demanding environments. They both have ATEX certification II 2G Ex ib IIB T4 Gb, meaning they are suitable for use in Zone 1 (areas where explosive atmospheres are likely to occur in normal operation) and are protected against gas groups IIB (including ethylene) with a maximum surface temperature of 135°C.

 

 

Conclusion

 

Intrinsically Safe radios are essential safety equipment for industries operating in hazardous environments. Understanding the principles of intrinsic safety and ATEX certifications is crucial for selecting the appropriate radio for your needs. The Ocean One A600V and A600DU offer reliable and feature-rich communication solutions for professionals working in potentially explosive atmospheres. When safety is paramount, choosing an Intrinsically Safe two way radio is not just a recommendation—it’s a necessity.