This part of IEC 60079 specifies the requirements, testing and marking of equipment emitting
optical radiation intended for use in explosive atmospheres. It also covers equipment located
outside the explosive atmosphere or protected by a Type of Protection listed in IEC 60079-0,
but which generates optical radiation that is intended to enter an explosive atmosphere. It
covers Groups I, II and III, and EPLs Ga, Gb, Gc, Da, Db, Dc, Ma and Mb.
This standard contains requirements for optical radiation in the wavelength range from
380 nm to 10 µm. It covers the following ignition mechanisms:
• Optical radiation is absorbed by surfaces or particles, causing them to heat up, and under
certain circumstances this may allow them to attain a temperature which will ignite a
surrounding explosive atmosphere.
• In rare special cases, direct laser induced breakdown of the gas at the focus of a strong
beam, producing plasma and a shock wave both eventually acting as ignition source.
These processes can be supported by a solid material close to the breakdown point.
NOTE 1 See a) and d) of the introduction.
This standard does not cover ignition by ultraviolet radiation and by absorption of the radiation
in the explosive mixture itself. Explosive absorbers or absorbers that contain their own
oxidizer as well as catalytic absorbers are also outside the scope of this standard.
This standard specifies requirements for equipment intended for use under atmospheric
conditions.
This standard supplements and modifies the general requirements of IEC 60079-0. Where a
requirement of this standard conflicts with a requirement of IEC 60079-0, the requirement of
this standard takes precedence.
This standard applies to optical fibre equipment and optical equipment, including LED and
laser equipment, with the exception of the equipment detailed below:
1) Non-array divergent LEDs used for example to show equipment status or backlight
function.
2) All luminaires (fixed, portable or transportable), hand lights and caplights; intended to be
supplied by mains (with or without galvanic isolation) or powered by batteries:
– with continuous divergent light sources (for all EPLs),
– with LED light sources (for EPL Gc or Dc only).
NOTE 2 Continuous divergent LED light sources for other than EPL Gc or Dc are not excluded from the
standard due to the uncertainty of potential ignition concerns regarding high irradiance.
3) Optical radiation sources for EPL Mb, Gb or Gc and Db or Dc applications which comply
with Class 1 limits in accordance with IEC 60825-1.
NOTE 3 The referenced Class 1 limits are those that involve emission limits below 15 mW measured at a
distance from the optical radiation source in accordance with IEC 60825-1, with this measured distance
reflected in the Ex application.
4) Single or multiple optical fibre cables not part of optical fibre equipment if the cables:
– comply with the relevant industrial standards, along with additional protective means,
e.g. robust cabling, conduit or raceway (for EPL Gb, Db, Mb, Gc or Dc),
– comply with the relevant industrial standards (for EPL Gc or Dc).
5) Enclosed equipment involving an enclosure that fully contains the optical radiation and
that complies with a suitable type of protection as required by the involved EPL, with the
enclosure complying with one of the following conditions:
– An enclosure for which an ignition due to optical radiation in combination with
absorbers inside the enclosure would be acceptable such as flameproof "d" enclosures
(IEC 60079-1), or
– An enclosure for which protection regarding ingress of an explosive gas atmosphere is
provided, such as pressurized "p" enclosures (IEC 60079-2), restricted breathing “nR”
enclosure (IEC 60079-15), or
– An enclosure for which protection regarding ingress of an explosive dust atmosphere is
provided, such as dust protection "t" enclosures" (IEC 60079-31), or
– An enclosure for which protection regarding ingress of absorbers is provided (such as
IP 6X enclosures) and where no internal absorbers are to be expected.
NOTE 4 For these scope exclusions based on enclosure constructions, it is anticipated that the enclosures are
not opened in the explosive atmosphere, so that ingress is protected.