Electrostatic properties relevant for explosion protection
DEKRA determines electrostatic properties to avoid ignition hazards
DEKRA tests and assesses if and how electrostatic ignition hazards may occur.
As a manufacturer, you want to know in which areas and zones and in which explosion groups your product can be used safely? You are not sure whether your products fall into the scope of Directive 2014/34/EU (ATEX Directive)? No problem, DEKRA supports you in all electrostatic matters.
This is the comprehensive package DEKRA offers to manufacturers:
- Resistance measurements (surface, volume and resistance to earth)
- Charge transfer measurements
- Capacitance measurements
- Determination of breakthrough voltage of thin, insulating coatings
We also offer customised all-in-one packages for plant operators Whether you require on-site measurements, detailed analysis of electrostatic ignition sources or expert opinions on your plant: DEKRA is at your side providing strong support. But we do not stop at the mere measurement and analysis: if needed, DEKRA will also show you ways of avoiding unwanted electrostatic charges and discharges in your operations and at your plant.
This is the comprehensive package DEKRA offers to plant operators:
- Resistance measurements (e.g. resistance to earth of floors)
- Measuring for bonding/potential equalisation
- Capacitance measurements at isolated installed conductive objects (e.g. flanges)
- Measurements of the charge volume under certain process conditions
You would like to learn more? Here you find an overview providing examples of which substances and applications are examined by DEKRA and on the basis of which standards:
Some examples of what we test and assess
| Assignment | Examples | Test basis, comments and advantages |
|---|---|---|
| Testing plastic objects and glass materials | Membranes, sealing strips, covers, containers, IBCs, equipment components, transport containers, pipelines | Resistance measurements e.g. according to IEC 60093 or IEC60167 Charge transfer measurements e.g. according to EN 13463-1, Technical Report TR 50404:2003 or IEC 60079 |
| Testing textile and coated fabrics | Filter media (including filter cartridges), made-up textiles and textile woven fabrics, clothing and other technical textiles |
Test e.g. according to DIN 54345-1, DIN 54345-5, DIN EN 1149 and other relevant and applicable testing standards |
| Testing hoses | Transport hoses, elastomer hoses, hydraulic hoses, hoses with spiral shielding or pressure support layers and so on | Test e.g. according to DIN EN ISO 8031, DIN EN 12151 or other regulations |
| Safety when using coatings and varnishings | Enclosures with coated or varnished surfaces for hazardous areas, inliners of packaging materials and hoses and so on | Dielectric strength of the coating in order to avoid propagating brush discharges according to IEC 60079-0 and DIN EN 60243-2 (IEC 60243) |
| Testing dissipative and insulating foils | Foils for liners used as packaging material or coating of objects | Dielectric strength or continuous dissipative strength under standardised conditions |
| Testing simple apparatus that is no equipment in the scope of Directive 2014/34/EU | Manual valves, tools, gates, earthing clamps/terminals and such We also check whether your product meets the requirements of Directive 2014/34/EU. | Assessment based on Technical Report TR 50404:2003 “Code of practice for the avoidance of hazards due to static electricity” (Cenelec Report) or Technical Rules of Operational Safety TRBS 2153 (former rules of employers’ association BGR 132) |
| Testing containers | IBCs, enclosures, tanks for flammable liquids | Examination of the electrostatic properties according to Technical Report TR 50404:2003 or TRBS 2153 |
| Testing tools for mining and tunnel construction | Conveyor belts, anchors, flat and spiral airducts, hoses and so on |
Electrostatic properties according to DIN 22100 |
| Testing personal protective equipment | Chemical protection suits and respirators intended for use in hazardous areas | Specific to the application intended and relevant to the practice – in collaboration with our Division for Personal Protective Equipment |
| On-site measurements at plants and buildings | Test of floor coverings, capacitance measurements of isolated installed flanges, earthing measurements, measurements of charge volumes and of charge relaxation times | Measurement and assessment of processes and plants by means of our mobile measuring equipment in order to protect against unwanted electrostatic discharges |
| Testing dusts and liquids | Assessment of transport, mixing and filling processes | Measurement of resistance and conductivity of dusts e.g. according to DIN EN 61242-2-2 and of liquids according to DIN 51412-1 in order to assess the taken or required protective measures for safe process management |
You need more explanations? Then why don’t you accompany our experts when they test your specimen in our DEKRA laboratory and get a first-hand account of the examinations?
You are interested in further training? Here you can find our current seminar programme: Information and Training
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Questions?
Mobil: 0151.62941022
thomas.burkhardt@dekra.com