When selecting a new piece of weighing equipment for your Richmond laboratory or workplace and when working in specific conditions, you will face a choice: do you need it to be explosion-proof or intrinsically safe? In order to better understand the differences, you will need some information about what these terms mean. Today, we’ll expand your knowledge on the difference between explosion-proof and intrinsically safe equipment. As an end-user, you will dictate the classification of your facility / area so please share this information with us prior to us helping to quote units or service.
There is a world of difference between explosion-proof and intrinsically safe weighing equipment. Today, we’ll arm you with the information you need.
What Is Intrinsic Safety?
Let’s start by taking a look at intrinsic safety. Simply put, intrinsically safe equipment will remain safe even when in hazardous conditions such as extreme temperatures or when dealing with certain combustible chemicals. Engineers design such equipment with an end goal of reducing these two qualities: power and maximum temperature. This eliminates the chance that the equipment can cause a reaction in the environment which would cause some type of an explosion
As for power, this generally has to remain below 1.3 W. From there, meeting maximum temperature requirements is simple, as equipment with this power capacity does not usually exceed 275°F.
Here are some industries that generally make use of intrinsically safe weighing equipment:
- Textiles
- Pharmaceuticals
- Agriculture
- Paper
In these and other potentially hazardous industries, intrinsically safe equipment preserves safety on the job site.
How About Explosion-Proof Equipment?
Explosion-proof equipment, on the other hand, is not engineered to prevent combustion, but to contain it. This is a necessity for hazardous environments in which equipment with a power level above 1.3 W is needed. For circumstances in which equipment capable of combustion cannot be avoided even in a hazardous environment, it will have to be explosion-proof.
Explosion-proof equipment is generally housed in a material that can contain combustion if it should occur.
Which Is Best for Your Portsmouth Workplace?
If you’re looking for a new piece of weighing equipment for your Richmond laboratory or workplace, you should consider the environment in which you work above all else. Take some time to review the NFPA’s zone classification system. One should only place explosion-proof equipment in zones 1 and 2. In contrast, you can use intrinsically safe equipment anywhere.
Finally, you should consider price and maintenance but never at the expense of safety. Explosion-proof equipment is generally far costlier than the alternative but is a necessity for certain working environments. Maintenance is also more complicated when dealing with this class of equipment.
Are you not sure whether you need explosion-proof or intrinsically safe equipment for your Richmond workplace? Or are you in need of maintenance or calibration? The Scale People are here to help.
CONTACT THE SCALE PEOPLE FOR Your Weighing Equipment Needs in Richmond, VA!
Since 1956, The Scale People have earned a reputation as the finest service provider for calibration and repairs of weighing equipment in the mid-Atlantic area. Our sales team can help work with you to find the best weighing equipment for your application. We currently have offices in Columbia, MD, and Newport News, VA, but we offer our services nationwide. Over the years, we have built up a long list of satisfied clients from a wide variety of industries, including pharmaceutical, food and beverage, and government manufacturing. We are a fully ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited service company. All of our services have a 100% satisfaction guarantee. We’re only a phone call away at +1 (800) 451-9593. To learn more about what we do, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.