EN 60079-28:2015/A11:2024

Explosive atmospheres - Part 28: Protection of equipment and transmission systems using optical radiation

Creating an amendment on European level to mirror the IEC interpretation sheet of IEC 60079-28:2015/ISH1:2019 which is still active at IEC.

Explosionsgefährdete Bereiche - Teil 28: Schutz von Geräten und Übertragungssystemen, die mit optischer Strahlung arbeiten

Atmosphères explosives - Partie 28: Protection du matériel et des systèmes de transmission utilisant le rayonnement optique

Eksplozivne atmosfere - 28. del: Zaščita opreme, ki uporablja optično sevanje, in sistemov za prenos optičnega sevanja

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 18-Jan-2024
• ICS: 29.260.20 - Electrical apparatus for explosive atmospheres
• Technical Committee: CLC/TC 31 - Electrical apparatus for explosive atmospheres - General requirements
• Drafting Committee: CLC/TC 31 - Electrical apparatus for explosive atmospheres - General requirements
• Current Stage: 6060 - Document made available - Publishing
• Start Date: 19-Jan-2024
• Due Date: 08-Aug-2024
• Completion Date: 19-Jan-2024
• Ref Project: SIST EN 60079-28:2015/A11:2024 - Explosive atmospheres - Part 28: Protection of equipment and transmission systems using optical radiation

Relations

• Amends: EN 60079-28:2015 - Explosive atmospheres - Part 28: Protection of equipment and transmission systems using optical radiation
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2022
• Revised: EN IEC 60079-28:2026 - Explosive atmospheres - Part 28: Protection of equipment and transmission systems using optical radiation
• Effective Date: 10-Oct-2023

Overview

EN 60079-28:2015/A11:2024 is a crucial European amendment standard focused on the protection of equipment and transmission systems using optical radiation within explosive atmospheres. Published by the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization (CLC) in January 2024, this amendment aligns with the IEC interpretation sheet IEC 60079-28:2015/ISH1:2019. It clarifies the application scope and safety requirements for optical radiation sources-including lasers, optical fibers, and convergent light beams-operating in hazardous environments where explosive gases or dust may be present.

This standard ensures that manufacturers, conformity assessment bodies, and national authorities have a harmonized framework to manage ignition risks related to optical radiation equipment in explosive atmospheres across Europe.

Key Topics

• Scope Clarification
  This amendment explains the application boundaries for EN 60079-28, highlighting which types of optical radiation equipment are included or excluded from the scope. It addresses ambiguities about equipment protected under subclause 6.6.4 of IEC 60079-0:2017, such as lasers, luminaires, and continuous-wave optical sources.

• Included Equipment

  • Laser equipment used inside explosive atmospheres
  • Optical fibre equipment transmitting signals or power
  • Convergent optical radiation sources, where light is focused at a single point within a hazardous area
    Special attention is given to optical elements (lenses, reflectors) that can transform divergent light into convergent beams.

• Exclusions from the Standard
  The amendment also identifies cases where EN 60079-28 does not apply, including:

  • Laser equipment compliant with IEC 60825-1 Class 1 limits for specific Equipment Protection Levels (EPLs)
  • Divergent light sources not producing focused beams in hazardous zones
  • Optical fiber cables, if they meet relevant industrial standards and protection requirements
  • Optical radiation sources fully enclosed in protective enclosures with suitable types of protection (e.g., flameproof “d,” pressurized “p,” restricted breathing “nR,” dust protection “t,” or enclosures with minimum IP6X ingress protection ratings)

• Safety and Protection Measures
  The document highlights protective enclosure types that prevent ignition by containing optical radiation or preventing the ingress of explosive atmospheres, thus ensuring compliance with prescribed EPLs.

Applications

EN 60079-28:2015/A11:2024 is applied extensively in sectors where optical radiation equipment operates in hazardous zones. Typical applications include:

• Industrial Automation and Control Systems
  Protection of optical sensors, communication links, and laser measurement devices used in chemical plants, refineries, and pharmaceutical manufacturing.

• Telecommunication Networks
  Ensuring safe transmission of optical signals via fiber optics in explosive environments such as offshore oil rigs or mining operations.

• Laser-Based Equipment
  Safe deployment of laser tools or instruments used for cutting, welding, or analysis within explosive atmospheres.

• Hazardous Area Instrumentation
  Incorporation of optical radiation methods for monitoring and control aligned with EPL requirements to minimize ignition risks.

Understanding and applying this amended standard supports operational safety, reduces downtime caused by hazardous incidents, and helps companies comply with European directives related to explosive atmospheres.

Related Standards

• IEC 60079-0:2017 – General requirements for electrical equipment in explosive atmospheres, including definitions and basic concepts for equipment protection levels and optical radiation sources.

• IEC 60825-1 – Safety of laser products, specifying classification and emission limits relevant for laser equipment operating in explosive atmospheres.

• IEC 60079-1, IEC 60079-2, IEC 60079-15, IEC 60079-31 – Standards covering different Types of Protection for enclosures used in explosive atmospheres (flameproof, pressurized, restricted breathing, dust protection).

• CENELEC Internal Regulations – Governing adoption, publication, and withdrawal of national standards referenced by European standards like EN 60079-28.

By integrating EN 60079-28:2015/A11:2024 with these complementary standards, organizations can effectively design, manufacture, and maintain optical radiation equipment that meets stringent safety and compliance criteria for explosive atmospheres.

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Keywords: explosive atmospheres, optical radiation, laser equipment protection, optical fiber safety, EN 60079-28 amendment, IEC 60079-28 interpretation, equipment protection level, hazardous area optical systems, flameproof enclosures, pressurized enclosures, CENELEC explosive atmosphere standards.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-junij-2024
Eksplozivne atmosfere - 28. del: Zaščita opreme, ki uporablja optično sevanje, in
sistemov za prenos optičnega sevanja
Explosive atmospheres - Part 28: Protection of equipment and transmission systems
using optical radiation
Explosionsgefährdete Bereiche - Teil 28: Schutz von Geräten und
Übertragungssystemen, die mit optischer Strahlung arbeiten
Atmosphères explosives - Partie 28: Protection du matériel et des systèmes de
transmission utilisant le rayonnement optique
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 60079-28:2015/A11:2024
ICS:
29.260.20 Električni aparati za Electrical apparatus for
eksplozivna ozračja explosive atmospheres
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EUROPEAN STANDARD EN 60079-28:2015/A11

NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM January 2024
ICS 29.260.20
English Version
Explosive atmospheres - Part 28: Protection of equipment and
transmission systems using optical radiation
Atmosphères explosives - Partie 28: Protection du matériel Explosionsgefährdete Bereiche - Teil 28: Schutz von
et des systèmes de transmission utilisant le rayonnement Geräten und Übertragungssystemen, die mit optischer
optique Strahlung arbeiten
This amendment A11 is only for the clarification of the European Standard EN 60079-28:2015; it was approved by CENELEC on 2024-01-
16. CENELEC members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this
amendment the status of a national standard without any alteration.
Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC
Management Centre or to any CENELEC member.
This amendment exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation under the
responsibility of a CENELEC member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre has the same status as
the official versions.
CENELEC members are the national electrotechnical committees of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic,
Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the
Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
Türkiye and the United Kingdom.

European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization
Comité Européen de Normalisation Electrotechnique
Europäisches Komitee für Elektrotechnische Normung
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2024 CENELEC All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CENELEC Members.
Ref. No. EN 60079-28:2015/A11:2024 E

European foreword
This document (EN 60079-28:2015/A11:2024) consists of the text of IEC 60079-28:2015/ISH1:2019, prepared
by IEC/TC 31 "Equipment for explosive atmospheres".
The following dates are fixed:
• latest date by which this document has to be (dop) 2025-01-16
implemented at national level by publication of
an identical national standard or by
endorsement
• latest date by which the national standards (dow) 2027-01-16
conflicting with this document have to be
withdrawn
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. CENELEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Any feedback and questions on this document should be directed to the users’ national committee. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found on the CENELEC website.
Endorsement notice
The text of the International Standard IEC 60079-28:2015/ISH1:2019 was approved by CENELEC as a
European Standard without any modification.

IEC 60079-28:2015/ISH1:2019 – 1 –
 IEC 2019
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
IEC 60079-28
Edition 2.0  2015-05
EXPLOSIVE ATMOSPHERES –
Part 28: Protection of equipment and
transmission systems using optical radiation

INTERPRETATION SHEET 1
This interpretation sheet has been prepared by IEC technical committee 31: Equipment for
explosive atmospheres.
The text of this interpretation sheet is based on the following documents:
DISH Report on voting
31/1496/DISH 31/1508
...