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Surge Protection Devices—SD Series
Hazardous area applications
Zone0/Zone1
The dangers from lightning induced sparking in Zone 0 are
considered real enough to require preventative measures. IEC
60079-14 (1996-12) Electrical apparatus for explosive gas
atmospheres Part 14: Electrical installations in hazardous areas
(other than mines) stresses the importance of SPDs in hazardous
areas. An outdoor installation where there is a high likelihood of
both lightning induced transients and combustible gases
requires the installation of SPDs to prevent possible ignition of
the gases. Areas seen particularly at risk include flammable liquid
storage tanks, effluent treatment plants, distillation columns in
petrochemical works and gas pipelines.
SPDs for transmitter protection should be installed in Zone 1,
sufficiently close to the Zone 0 boundary to prevent high
voltages entering Zone 0. The distance from the SPD to Zone 0
should be less than 36” where possible. In practice the SPD
would normally be mounted on the transmitter or sensor housing
which usually lies in Zone 1 and is very close to Zone 0. Because
there is only a very small free volume, the SD series is suitable for
mounting in flameproof or explosion proof enclosures.
Zone 2
The SD series is suitable for protecting electrical circuits in Division
2, Zone 2 and can be used without affecting the safety aspects of
the circuit. Non-incendive (low-current) circuits can be protected
using any SD series unit mounted in either the safe or hazardous
area, including those with the fuse disconnects facility. Non-arcing
(high current) circuits can also be protected, however SPDs with
the fuse disconnect facility may only be mounted in the safe area.
For use in these circuits the units must be mounted in a suitable
enclosure. In most cases the minimum requirements are IP54 and
7Nm resistance to impact. The SD series is self certified by MTL
Surge Technologies as suitable for this purpose.
Certification
Introducing surge protection into Intrinsically Safe (IS)
circuits is trouble free as long as the current and power
parameters are not exceeded. In the SD series, the SD**X,
SD**R, SD**R3, SDRTD and SD**T3 all have ATEX certification
for use in IS circuits located in Zones 0, 1 or 2. The certification
parameters for the SD**X and SD**T3 are:
EEx ia IIC T4, Li = 0.22mH
li = 260mA for Ui up to 20V
li = 175mA for Ui up to 26V
li = 140mA for Ui up to 28V
li = 65mA for Ui up to 60V
The certification parameters for the SD**R, SD**R3
and SDRTD are:
EEx ia IIC T4, Li = 0
li = 260mA for Ui up to 60V
The power rating for each of the above is dependent on the table
shown below.
Pi = 1W (–30°C to +75°C)
Pi = 1.2W (–30°C to +60°C)
Pi = 1.3W (–30°C to +40°C)
The SD** series are classified as simple apparatus and are
intended for use in Zone 2 or safe areas only, because their fuses
are not fully encapsulated.
Installation
Positioning
The SDs should be mounted on the field wiring side to ensure
that any surges entering from the field do not damage any
intrinsically safe barriers or galvanic isolators in the system.
The SDs and intrinisically safe interface should be mounted
close to each other but on separate DIN-rails in order to maintain
the required 1.97” (50mm) clearance between safe area and
hazardous area terminals of the IS interface.
Grounding
The recommended grounding for field-mounted devices has
been illustrated previously. The grounding at the control panel
is more critical as there are usually a number of grounding
systems, each with their own requirements.The grounding
system illustrated here replaces the instrument 0V bond, the
control system PSU bond and the IS ground with one single
ground connection to meet all the design requirements and
give the most effective protection against the effects of lightning
induced surges.
In all installations utilizing safety related apparatus, consideration
should be given to protecting the system supply and any long
communication cable.