Time and again, the headlines report on gas explosions with devastating consequences. What is less well known is that dust can also burn. According to the industry initiative licht.de, explosion-protected luminaires must therefore be used in numerous industrial and craft businesses. These include large chemical plants and refineries, but also grain mills, silos and sawmills - and under certain conditions even bakeries or car workshops.
Work areas are divided into different zones according to the degree of explosion risk, for each of which there are specially designed luminaires (standards DIN EN 50281, DIN EN 60079 and VDE 0165). The classification is based on the frequency and duration of the explosion hazard. Low numbers indicate environments with a high risk of explosion. The three zones 0, 1 and 2 apply to flammable gases, vapors and mists. Zones 20, 21 and 22 apply to environments in which combustible dust clouds can cause explosions.
Photo: licht.de/Norka
