We’ve had several people inquire recently if our equipment is “explosion proof”. While we take immense pride in crafting exceptionally rugged machinery, I hope we never find out if it can endure a nuclear explosion. “Explosion proof” seems to have evolved into a catch-all term, primarily employed as to whether equipment is suitable for use in a potentially hazardous environment.

The National Electrical Code reflects different Classes (indicative of the type of hazard) and Divisions (indicative of the likelihood of encountering a hazardous or combustible concentration). To mitigate these hazards in equipment, one common approach is to ensure that its components are intrinsically safe, meaning they are designed to prevent the risk of causing an explosion. However, if certain equipment or components do not meet the intrinsic safety criteria, they should be shielded within an explosion-proof enclosure. Such enclosures are specifically engineered to both avert and contain an explosion should one occur.

So while not all equipment can be technically labeled as “explosion-proof,” it may still be safe for use within a hazardous environment.