Sometimes electrical equipment must be installed in areas where combustible vapors and gases are used or may be present. These are commonly referred to as “hazardous locations,” and are defined by the National Electrical Code (NEC) in the U.S.
When equipment must be installed in these locations, there are strict requirements for the construction of the installation, including materials and design requirements. Electrical equipment intended for use in a factory or refinery is designed either to contain any explosion within the device or not to produce sparks with sufficient energy to trigger an explosion. We will break down the ratings so you can decide what equipment will be safe in your environment.