Intrinsic safety – what is it?
As a leading supplier of vibration monitoring equipment, we’ve provided accelerometers for almost every application imaginable. This includes applications in hazardous environments which may contain flammable gasses or vapours, combustible dusts, or ignitable fibres, where even the tiniest spark could cause a fire or explosion.
Because of the risk to both employee safety and production it is essential that only intrinsically safe equipment is installed in such a potentially dangerous environment. The consequences of failing to control sparks in such an environment can be catastrophic.
But what does intrinsically safe mean? Intrinsic safety is best described as a low-energy signalling technique that prevents the occurrence of explosions by ensuring the energy (electrical or thermal) within a hazardous area is limited to below the amount required to cause an ignition.
The ATEX Directives stipulate stringent requirements for the use of electrical and mechanical components of instruments in hazardous areas. These directives are relevant for any industry, environment and application found to be at risk of explosion – from the process industries and mining, to the manufacture of powders and industrial woodworking. Failure to comply with the ATEX directives puts personnel and assets at significant risk and can result in serious penalty for any business found to be guilty of non-compliance.
With condition monitoring an essential part of maintenance, there is a wide range of ATEX-approved equipment in the form of accelerometers available to meet your vibration monitoring needs. Hansford Sensors Intrinsically safe accelerometers are specifically designed for use in hazardous areas. They deliver the same level of performance as their non-intrinsically safe counterparts, but do so by using a lower level of energy, which is still more than adequate and doesn’t affect the quality of collected data.
While the need for intrinsically safe machinery and manufacturing equipment in hazardous environments is generally well understood by industry, it is important that the potential impact of instrumentation such as an accelerometer is not overlooked. Installing intrinsically safe accelerometers can eliminate the risk of fire and explosions and bring peace of mind to both businesses and their workforces. Contact us today to discuss your requirements and we can find the right solution for you.
