Hazardous areas are settings in which fire or explosion hazards may exist due to flammable gases, flammable liquid-produced vapors, combustible liquid-produced vapors, combustible dust, or ignitable fibers/debris.
Hazardous areas are classified to describe the type of hazardous materials present and the likelihood that a flammable or combustible concentration or quantity is present in a particular location.
Each room, section, or area is uniquely rated when determining classifications. Hazardous area classifications help to ensure that appropriate equipment is used in specific operating environments and that proper safety and installation practices are followed.
All hazardous areas must be properly identified, and documentation must be made available to all individuals who design, install, inspect, maintain, and operate electrical equipment in the location. (1)
The Class/Division classification system outlined by the National Electric Code (NEC) and Canadian Electric Code (CEC) is North America's primary hazardous area system.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 700 defines the hazardous location classification system in the United States. National Electric Code® (NEC) (2)
VarTech Systems custom manufactures its hazardous area industrial computers, monitors, and enclosures to the exact specifications required of your hazardous area. VarTech offers Type-X and Type-Z purge/pressurization systems to ensure hazardous materials cannot enter the enclosure, enabling electrical equipment to be safely operated without the risk of fire or explosion.
The Type-X and Type-Z purge systems used in VarTech's products are certified for use in hazardous Areas. The Type-X purge system is certified for CID1 use, and the Type-Z purge system is certified for CID2 use).
The certified purge systems within VarTech's products are contained in fully sealed stainless-steel enclosures built to meet NEMA 4X and IP66 protection standards to perform in the world's harshest environments.
We offer certified CID2 hazardous area products with its DiamondVue and ToughStation product lines, the display sizes of which range from 10.4 inches to 24 inches.
Though commonly referred to with digits, such as Class 1 Division 1, hazardous areas use roman numerals, such as Class I Division I, to identify their classes.
Flammable gases, flammable liquid-produced vapors, or combustible liquid-produced vapors may be present.
Ignitable concentrations are present in normal conditions.
Ignitable concentrations are present in abnormal conditions.
Combustible dust may be present.
Ignitable concentrations are present in normal conditions.
Ignitable concentrations are present in abnormal conditions.
Easily ignitable fibers or debris may be present.
Ignitable concentrations are present in normal conditions.
Ignitable concentrations are present in abnormal conditions.
The group identifies the type of material and the atmosphere's location.
Acetone, ammonia, ethyl alcohol, gasoline, methane, propane, or gases/vapors of similar hazards are present.
Flammable gas, flammable liquid-produced vapor, or combustible liquid-produced vapor mixed with air that may burn or explode, having either a maximum experimental safe gap (MESG) value less than or equal to 0.45 mm or a minimum igniting current ratio (MIC ratio) less than or equal to 0.40.
Flammable gas, flammable liquid-produced vapor, or combustible liquid-produced vapor mixed with air that may burn or explode, having either a maximum experimental safe gap (MESG) value greater than 0.45 mm and less than or equal to 0.75 mm or a minimum igniting current ratio (MIC ratio) greater than 0.40 and less than or equal to 0.80.
Flammable gas, flammable liquid-produced vapor, or combustible liquid-produced vapor mixed with air that may burn or explode, having either a maximum experimental safe gap (MESG) value greater than 0.75 mm or a minimum igniting current (MIC) ratio greater than 0.80.
Atmospheres contain combustible metal dust, including aluminum, magnesium, and their commercial alloys, or other combustible dust whose particle size, abrasiveness, and conductivity present similar hazards in the use of electrical equipment.
Atmospheres contain combustible carbonaceous dust with more than 8% total entrapped volatiles or that have been sensitized by other materials so that they present an explosion hazard.
Our Project Managers are available to assist you in selecting an HMI that meets your operation's requirements.
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At VarTech Systems, our Project Managers are ready to customize an industrial computer, monitor, or HMI solution to meet your needs. Whether you are looking for a quote, custom-engineered product, tech support, or have a question, we're here to help.
Please fill out our contact form, call us, or email us and we will connect with you shortly.
Based in Clemmons, North Carolina, VarTech Systems Inc. engineers and builds custom industrial and rugged computers, monitors, and HMIs.
