LED-luminaires with increased degree of explosion safety

In conditions of increased explosiveness, special safety requirements are imposed on artificial lighting. To avoid accidents, the luminaires are installed in an explosion-proof version. Lighting fixtures with led lamps are the most modern version of such products.

Design features

Explosion-proof led-lamps have a number of design features:

• designed from fire resistant materials;
• housing made of polymer plastic or high-strength glass withstands high temperatures;
• steel reflective elements prevent heating;
• Reinforced frame provides greater strength.

There are additional technological features for even more reliable protection against explosions:

• intrinsically safe electrical circuit;
• inert gases inside the case;
• body overpressure.

Thanks to the peculiarities of the development, the luminaires retain their integrity under the influence of production factors. They are not afraid:

• vibration;
• pressure;
• aggressive environments;
• elevated temperatures.

Specifications

The parameters of explosion-proof lamps include:

• Explosion protection classes. Explosion-proof lamps are divided into 3 classes depending on the zone in which they are installed in terms of duration and presence of an explosive mixture of gases:
  • class 0 – in the area where explosive gases are regularly or for a long time;
  • class 1 – in the area where there is a possibility of finding a gas mixture during normal operation;
  • class 2 – in the area where the gas mixture is absent or appears rarely and for a short time.

• Luminous flux – the emission of light for a certain unit of time, measured in Lumens (Lm). The range of radiant energy varies in LED lamps from 200 to 2500 lm, the higher – the brighter.
• Power is the amount of energy converted into light and measured in Watts (W). For general use, lamps of 3-15 W are produced, for industry – up to 100 W.
• Operating temperatures – range on a scale in degrees Celsius from – 60 to 100 for lamps with polycarbonate protection, up to 550 when using heat-resistant borosilicate glass.
• Pulsation coefficient – the strength of fluctuations in the flow of light, measured in%. Flicker of LED lamps 0% under the condition of stable current.
• The thermal temperature of LED sources is the hue of the white light, measured in Kelvin (K). They are divided into warm (2700-3500 K), neutral (3500-5000 K), cold (5000-6600 K). Hues above 3500 K are used as emergency lighting.

Benefits of using

Explosion-proof LED fixtures are improving every day and have a number of key advantages over fluorescent and incandescent fixtures:

• Comprehensive protection against:
  • short circuit and increased voltage in the network;
  • impacts, thanks to the durable diffuser glass;
  • destruction at high pressure;
  • ingress of dust moisture into the lamp.
• High light output is 2 times more efficient than fluorescent and energy-saving lamps, 7 times more efficient than old incandescent lamps.
• Energy Efficiency . Convert electricity into light with the highest efficiency. LED lamps integrated in luminaires reduce energy consumption by at least 50% compared to fluorescent lamps and by 85% compared to incandescent lamps at the same brightness.
• The guaranteed service life of LED lamps is 60,000 hours, fluorescent lamps are 8 times less, and incandescent lamps are 50 times less.
• Environmental friendliness . They do not contain toxic metals and do not require special disposal.

Application

Explosion-proof luminaires are designed so that sparks cannot occur in them. This means that they cannot cause an explosion in production shops with a high explosion and fire hazard, under the influence of aggressive environments. Explosion-proof LED lamps use:

• in industrial premises;
• outdoors;
• at gas stations;
• for spotlights.

Explosion-proof light sources are in demand in sectors of the economy where they are used due to a significant reduction in emergency situations:

• in the extraction of minerals;
• in the flour industry;
• in the gas and oil production complex;
• in power plants;
• in the chemical industry;
• in metallurgy;
• in the woodworking industry.

Types of explosion-proof luminaires

All devices are marked, the letters Ex indicate explosion-proof design. The designations on the packaging are duplicated on the instrument case or a metal plate – nameplate. To determine which light source is needed for certain industries and conditions, let’s look at the types of fixtures and markings.

According to the level of explosion protection

Explosion-proof led-lamps are divided into 3 levels:

• 0 – especially explosion-proof (protect under normal operating conditions);
• 1 – explosion-proof (provide protection both during normal operation and in case of damage);
• 2 – increased reliability (enhanced protection).

By type of protection

Products may have the following markings:

• o – oil filling of the shell – immersion in a protective liquid that prevents ignition;
• p – filling with protective gas under pressure – creates an explosion-proof environment in the luminaire with pressure fluctuations;
• q – quartz filling – does not protect against the explosion of the lamp, but prevents an external explosion;
• d – flameproof shell – withstands an internal explosion without deformation of the protective case;
• e – protection against elevated temperatures;
• i – intrinsically safe electrical circuit – supports intrinsically safe current;
• m – insulation of parts of the lamp capable of sparking with a compound;
• n – type of protection for general use with increased safety measures.

The peculiarities of working in different environments

Explosion-proof lamps according to the features of work in different environments are divided into classes:

• 1 – used in mines;
• 2 – used in explosive industrial premises and outdoor installations;
• 3 – are installed in industries with explosive dust.

Explosion-proof lighting fixtures with LED lamps are the best choice for environments with increased explosion hazard. Thanks to the wide range of models, it is not difficult to choose a lamp for any parameters.