PD IEC TS 60079-46-2017 PDF

Full title and description

STB PD IEC TS 60079-46:2017 — Explosive atmospheres — Part 46: Equipment assemblies. This Technical Specification sets out requirements for the design, construction, assembly, testing, inspection, marking, documentation and assessment of equipment assemblies intended for use in explosive atmospheres under the responsibility of the equipment-assembly manufacturer; it applies where the assembly is made up of individual items covered by the IEC 60079 or ISO 80079 series and addresses additional assembly-level requirements beyond individual item certificates.

Abstract

IEC TS 60079-46:2017 provides manufacturer-focused requirements and validation guidance for the initial supply of equipment assemblies for hazardous (explosive) atmospheres. The document clarifies how individually certified Ex items are to be integrated into an assembly, identifies responsibilities for documentation, marking and testing, and lists exclusions where other IEC/ISO documents or site-installation standards take precedence. The Technical Specification is descriptive and intended to support conformity assessment and safe integration of components into assemblies.

General information

• Status: Technical Specification (IEC TS) — published/active (first edition).
• Publication date: 31 August 2017.
• Publisher: International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
• ICS / categories: 29.260.20 (Electrical apparatus for explosive atmospheres).
• Edition / version: Edition 1.0 (2017).
• Number of pages: 16 pages.

These bibliographic and status details are taken from the IEC publication record for IEC TS 60079-46:2017.

Scope

The specification covers assessment and assembly-level requirements for equipment assemblies intended for hazardous areas (explosive atmospheres) when assemblies are composed of individual items covered by the IEC 60079 or ISO 80079 series and having their own certificates. It is intended to validate the initial supply of an assembly. The document explicitly excludes: equipment wholly covered by one or more IEC 60079 or ISO 80079 protection types; pressurized rooms (type “p”) in accordance with IEC 60079-13; analyzer houses with artificial ventilation as addressed in IEC TR 60079-16; site installation activities under IEC 60079-14; hazardous-area classification; equipment assemblies for mines susceptible to firedamp (Group I); inherently explosive processes or dusts from explosives/pyrophoric substances; rooms used for medical purposes; and electrical installations where the hazard arises from flammable mist.

Key topics and requirements

• Manufacturer responsibility for assembly design, construction, assembly, testing, inspection, marking and documentation.
• Requirements for integrating individually certified Ex items (from IEC 60079 / ISO 80079 series) into assemblies without invalidating item certificates.
• Identification and application of Specific Conditions of Use and assessment of any assembly-level hazards beyond individual item certificates.
• Requirements for wiring systems, interconnections, drawings, item lists and traceability within the assembly.
• Guidance on tests, inspections and marking needed to support initial supply and conformity assessment of the assembly.
• Limitations and exclusions defining where other parts of the IEC 60079 series or other standards apply instead.

Typical use and users

Primary users are manufacturers and integrators who supply equipment assemblies for use in hazardous areas, plus design engineers responsible for selecting and integrating certified Ex components. Other users include conformity assessment bodies, notified bodies / certification bodies, testing laboratories, installation engineers (for handover documentation), asset owners/operators who procure assemblies for hazardous sites, and regulators specifying compliance evidence for initial supply. These stakeholders rely on the Technical Specification to demonstrate that an assembly, composed of multiple certified items, meets assembly-level safety and documentation requirements.

Related standards

IEC TS 60079-46 is part of the IEC 60079 family addressing explosive atmospheres and should be used in conjunction with the relevant parts of IEC 60079 (general and protection-type specific parts), ISO 80079 (non-electrical equipment for explosive atmospheres), IEC 60079-13 (pressurization), IEC TR 60079-16 (analyzer houses) and IEC 60079-14 (installation practices). Where national adoptions exist, national deviations or adoption documents (for example national adoptions of IEC TS 60079-46) should be consulted.

Keywords

explosive atmospheres; equipment assemblies; Ex assemblies; hazardous areas; IEC 60079 series; ISO 80079; manufacturer responsibilities; marking; documentation; testing; initial supply validation.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: IEC TS 60079-46:2017 is a Technical Specification titled "Explosive atmospheres — Part 46: Equipment assemblies" that gives assembly-level requirements and validation guidance for equipment made from individually certified Ex items.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers design, construction, assembly, testing, inspection, marking, documentation and assessment of equipment assemblies for explosive atmospheres, with particular emphasis on how individually certified items are integrated and any additional assembly-level requirements that may arise. It does not replace parts of the IEC 60079 series or ISO 80079 where those apply.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Manufacturers and integrators of equipment assemblies for hazardous areas, certification and testing bodies, design and installation engineers, asset owners/operators purchasing assemblies for hazardous sites, and regulators or conformity assessment personnel. These users apply the document to ensure assembly-level safety and to support initial supply validation.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: IEC TS 60079-46:2017 is the first edition published 31 August 2017. The IEC record lists edition 1.0 (2017) and a stability date noted in the IEC publication metadata; users should confirm any later amendments or national adoptions before relying on the document for compliance.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is Part 46 of the IEC 60079 series (Explosive atmospheres) and is intended to be used alongside other IEC 60079 parts and relevant ISO 80079 documents dealing with individual item protection methods and installation practices.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: explosive atmospheres, equipment assemblies, Ex assemblies, hazardous areas, IEC 60079, ISO 80079, marking, documentation, conformity assessment.