VDE 0170-7 E DIN IEC 60079-11 2008-04 PDF

Full title and description

STB VDE 0170-7 E DIN IEC 60079-11: Explosive atmospheres — Part 11: Equipment protection by intrinsic safety "i". German/English edition published April 2008 (designation E DIN IEC 60079-11:2008-04). This document covers requirements for the design, construction, testing and marking of intrinsically safe electrical equipment and associated apparatus intended for use in potentially explosive gas and dust atmospheres.

Abstract

This standard/draft sets out the intrinsic safety ("i") type of protection. It specifies limits on energy and temperature, circuit design and testing methods to ensure that electrical apparatus and associated devices connected to intrinsically safe circuits cannot ignite an explosive atmosphere. The 2008-04 edition consolidates relevant device requirements (including FISCO-related material and dust-related clarifications carried forward in later editions) and provides normative requirements and informative annexes for testing and marking.

General information

• Status: Withdrawn / replaced (superseded by DIN EN 60079-11:2012-06; VDE 0170-7:2012-06).
• Publication date: April 2008 (document listed as E DIN IEC 60079-11:2008-04; DIN listing shows 21 April 2008 as an appearance date).
• Publisher: DIN / VDE (German national adoption and VDE publishing house for the German-language edition).
• ICS / categories: 29.260.20 — Electrical apparatus for explosive atmospheres (intrinsic safety).
• Edition / version: E DIN IEC 60079-11:2008-04 (national adoption / draft designation shown as STB / Norm-Entwurf in German listings).
• Number of pages: 269 pages (as listed for the 2008 draft / E DIN edition).

Scope

This part of IEC 60079 specifies requirements for the construction, testing and marking of intrinsically safe equipment and associated apparatus intended for connection to intrinsically safe circuits that enter explosive gas or dust atmospheres. It applies to equipment whose circuits are incapable of causing ignition under specified conditions and includes requirements for device design, circuit limits, marking and documentation; it also addresses the interface to non‑specified apparatus and consolidates related topics such as FISCO and selected dust-atmosphere considerations that were integrated into the 2008 draft. The document is intended to be used together with the general IEC 60079-0 and other applicable parts of the 60079 series.

Key topics and requirements

• Principles of intrinsic safety — limiting energy (electrical and thermal) available to circuits within hazardous areas.
• Design and construction rules for intrinsically safe equipment and components (circuit topology, barriers, fuses, wiring, separation where required).
• Testing and type‑examination procedures, including ignition testing and temperature-rise checks.
• Marking, documentation and certification requirements for equipment intended for use in explosive atmospheres.
• Requirements for associated apparatus and guidance for connecting non‑specified devices (e.g., chargers, data loggers) to intrinsically safe circuits.
• Consolidation of FISCO-related requirements and incorporation of relevant dust-atmosphere provisions (as reflected in the 2008 draft and later editions).

Typical use and users

Manufacturers and designers of instrumentation, control and signalling equipment for hazardous areas; certification and testing laboratories; notified/certification bodies; safety and compliance managers in oil & gas, petrochemical, chemical, pharmaceutical, mining and grain-handling industries; plant engineers and maintenance personnel responsible for specifying and installing intrinsically safe systems. The standard is used to demonstrate compliance with intrinsic-safety requirements and to support type-examination and routine testing.

Related standards

IEC 60079-0 (general requirements for explosive atmospheres), other parts of IEC 60079 series (for example Part 7 — increased safety "e", Part 27/FISCO, Part 25/isolated barriers), DIN EN 60079-11 later editions (notably the 2012 national revision that replaced the 2008 draft), and older national standards such as DIN EN 50020 (earlier intrinsic safety guidance). For current interpretation and the latest consolidated requirements consult the most recent IEC 60079-11 edition and its interpretation sheets/corrigenda.

Keywords

Intrinsic safety, Ex i, explosive atmospheres, intrinsic safety "i", equipment protection, intrinsically safe circuits, VDE 0170-7, IEC 60079-11, DIN EN 60079-11, FISCO, type-examination, hazardous area equipment.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: It is the German/adopted edition of IEC 60079-11 (designation E DIN IEC 60079-11:2008-04 / VDE 0170-7) addressing equipment protection by intrinsic safety ("i") for explosive atmospheres.

Q: What does it cover?

A: Requirements for the design, construction, testing, marking and documentation of intrinsically safe electrical apparatus and associated equipment intended to be connected to intrinsically safe circuits entering hazardous (gas or dust) areas. It defines energy and temperature limits, test procedures and installation/connection considerations.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Equipment manufacturers, test laboratories, certifying bodies, plant engineers, safety managers and anyone responsible for the selection, design, installation or certification of intrinsically safe equipment in hazardous industries (oil & gas, chemical, mining, etc.).

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The 2008-04 edition / draft listing has been withdrawn and superseded by a later national edition (DIN EN 60079-11:2012-06; VDE 0170-7:2012-06) and, internationally, by subsequent IEC 60079-11 editions and corrigenda. Users should consult the latest IEC 60079-11 edition and national adoptions for current requirements.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — IEC 60079 is a multipart international series covering various types of protection for equipment in explosive atmospheres; Part 11 is the intrinsic safety section and is intended to be used in conjunction with IEC 60079-0 and other relevant parts.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Intrinsic safety, intrinsic protection "i", Ex i, hazardous area equipment, intrinsically safe circuits, VDE 0170-7, IEC 60079-11, FISCO, type-examination, marking.