Area Electrical Classification and Hazardous Area Wiring

Learn the information you need to determine the appropriate electrical area classification for your processes and processing equipment. You will review in-depth the different protective techniques, including explosion proofing, intrinsic safety, non-incentive systems, purging and pressurization.

This course will benefit those involved in classifying hazardous areas and installing equipment within hazardous areas in the following industries:

• Chemical, petrochemical, agrichemical, and specialty chemical 
• Refining 
• Biotechnology, biochemical, and fermentation 
• Pharmaceuticals and cosmetics 
• Food processing

Welcome and Introduction

Basic Principles

• Flash point
• Fire point
• Flammability limits
• Autoignition temperature
• Effects of temperature and pressure on autoignition temperature
• NFPA classification system

Electrical Area Classification Definition, Basics, and Details

• Class I
• Class II
• Class III
• Groups
• T ratings
• Class I Zone 0
• Class I Zone 1
• Class I Zone 2
• Class II Zone 1
• Class II Zone 2

Zones—IEC vs. NEC® Differences

Steps in Classifying Areas

• Guidelines
• Step-by-step procedure
• Ventilation considerations
• Openings

Codes

• NFPA-497
• API-520
• ISA Series

Class Exercise

• Classifying areas

Explosion Proofing

• Principles of operation
• Guidelines

Seals

• Principles of operation
• Discussion of location
• Exceptions

Overview of Intrinsically Safe Systems

• Principles of operation
• Control drawings

Class II Locations

• Dust hazards
• Wiring practices

Overview of Non-incendive Systems

• Definition
• Evaluating a system

Purging and Pressurization

• Overview
• Type X purging
• Type Y purging
• Type Z purging
• Control rooms
• Analyzer rooms

Miscellaneous Protection Systems

• Increased safety "e"
• Encapsulation "m"
• Powder filling "q"
• Oil immersion "o"
• Fiber optics

Class Exercise

• Hazardous area wiring

Commissioning and Maintenance

• Commissioning checklist
• Maintenance checklist

Summary

Elaine Andrysick

Elaine M. Andrysick, joined Engineering Professional Development, University of Wisconsin-Madison, as a continuing engineering education specialist in 1988.  She is responsible for the development and delivery of high-value continuing engineering education short courses for practicing professionals in the areas of chemical and process engineering and laser material processing.  Also, she manages the University’s Laser Welding Certificate program.

Richard Palluzi

Richard P. Palluzi, PE, CSP, of Richard P. Palluzi LLC is a consultant to the pilot plant and laboratory research community on safety, design, and research project management. He retired as a Distinguished Engineering Associate after almost 40 years at ExxonMobil Research and Engineering, where he was involved in the design, construction, and support of pilot plants and laboratories for ExxonMobil’s research site in Clinton, New Jersey, as well as affiliates worldwide. Rich is the author of two books, and numerous articles and presentations as well as a past chair of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers Pilot Plant Committee, ExxonMobil’s Pilot Plant and Laboratory Safety Standards Committee, and ExxonMobil’s Safe Operations Team for their Clinton facility. Rich is on the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) NFPA-45 Fire Protection for Laboratories Using Chemicals and NFPA-55 Industrial and Medical Gasses committees. He has BE and ME degrees in chemical engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology.