This self-paced online course covers the similarities and differences among protection methods used for different types of classified areas and how to properly select or verify the proper use of protection methods for given areas. Protection methods are ways to keep the electrical system and equipment from providing an ignition source to the ignitable materials and mixtures that may be present.

Upon completion you should be able to:

• List and describe requirements for explosionproof enclosures
• List and explain types of dust-ignitionproof equipment
• List and explain other methods of isolating electrical ignition sources in a classified area
• List and describe grounding methods for classified areas
• Identify the three elements of a lightning protection system

Who Will Benefit

Anyone whose job involves designing, reviewing, evaluating or installing fire protection systems, including: designers, installers, engineers, electrical contractors, technicians, project managers, fire marshals, and architects.

Course Summary

• Another method of controlling the electrical ignition source is through the use of intrinsically safe or nonincendive circuits and equipment. These methods reduce the available energy in a circuit or power source so the circuit cannot produce a spark with sufficient energy to ignite the hazardous materials.
• Rather than address the ignition source, purging and pressurizing provides a means of getting rid of the ignitible mixture. This method may be used in a single electrical enclosure or in a larger room or space. The ignitible mixture is displaced and replaced with clean air or an inert gas.
• Finally, grounding and bonding systems are used to reduce the likelihood that the conduit system or other enclosures could provide an ignition source under electrical fault conditions. In addition, special grounding and bonding systems not covered by the NEC are used to protect against ignition caused by lightning or static electricity.