IEC 61340-4-4:2018

Electrostatics - Part 4-4: Standard test methods for specific applications - Electrostatic classification of flexible intermediate bulk containers (FIBC)

IEC 61340-4-4:2018 specifies requirements for flexible intermediate bulk containers (FIBC) between 0,25 m3 and 3 m3 in volume, intended for use in hazardous explosive atmospheres. The explosive atmosphere can be created by the contents in the FIBC or can exist outside the FIBC. The requirements include:
– classification and labelling of FIBC;
– classification of inner liners;
– specification of test methods for each type of FIBC, inner liner, labels and document pockets;
– design and performance requirements for FIBC, inner liners, labels and document pockets;
– safe use of FIBC (including those with inner liners) within different zones defined for explosion endangered environments, described for areas where combustible dusts are, or can be, present (IEC 60079-10-2), and for explosive gas atmospheres (IEC 60079-10-1);
– procedures for type qualification and certification of FIBC, including the safe use of inner liners. This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition, published in 2012, and Amendment 1:2014. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
a) in light of experimental evidence, the maximum resistance to ground limit for Type C FIBC, and corresponding resistance limits for inner liners used in Type C FIBC has been increased from 10 M ohms to 100 M ohms;
b) the classification of Type L1 inner liners has been revised and extended to include Type L1C inner liners made from multi-layer materials with a conductive internal layer;
c) a labelling requirement to include a reference to IEC TS 60079-32-1 for guidance on earthing has been added.

Électrostatique - Partie 4-4: Méthodes d'essai normalisées pour des applications spécifiques - Classification électrostatique des grands récipients pour vrac souples (GRVS)

L'IEC 61340-4-4:2018 spécifie les exigences relatives aux grands récipients pour vrac souples (GRVS) dont le volume est compris entre 0,25 m3 et 3 m3, destinés à être utilisés dans des atmosphères explosives dangereuses. L'atmosphère explosive peut être créée par le contenu du GRVS ou peut exister à l'extérieur du GRVS. Les exigences comportent:
– la classification et l'étiquetage des GRVS;
– la classification des revêtements protecteurs intérieurs;
– la spécification des méthodes d'essai pour chaque type de GRVS, du revêtement protecteur intérieur, des étiquettes et des pochettes de documents;
– les exigences de conception et de performance des GRVS, des revêtements protecteurs intérieurs, des étiquettes et des pochettes de documents;
– l'utilisation sécurisée des GRVS (incluant ceux qui comportent des revêtements protecteurs intérieurs) dans des zones différentes définies pour des environnements présentant un danger d'explosion, décrite pour des zones où des poussières combustibles sont présentes ou peuvent être présentes (IEC 60079-10-2) et pour des atmosphères explosives gazeuses (IEC 60079-10-1);
– les procédures de qualification de type et de certification des GRVS, incluant l'utilisation sécurisée des revêtements protecteurs intérieurs. Cette troisième édition annule et remplace la deuxième édition, parue en 2012, et l'Amendement 1:2014. Cette édition constitue une révision technique. Cette édition inclut les modifications techniques majeures suivantes par rapport à l'édition précédente:
a) au vu des preuves expérimentales, la limite maximale de résistance de mise à la terre pour les GRVS de Type C, et les limites de résistance associées des revêtements protecteurs intérieurs utilisés dans les GRVS de Type C ont été augmentées de 10 M ohms à 100 M ohms;
b) la classification des revêtements protecteurs intérieurs de Type L1 a été révisée et étendue aux revêtements protecteurs intérieurs de Type L1C fabriqués à partir de matériaux multicouches ayant une couche interne conductrice;
c) une exigence relative à l'étiquetage permettant d'inclure une référence à l'IEC TS 60079-32-1 concernant les recommandations relatives à la mise à la terre a été ajoutée.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 29-Jan-2018
• ICS: 17.220.99 - Other standards related to electricity and magnetism
• ICS: 29.020 - Electrical engineering in general
• ICS: 55.080 - Sacks. Bags
• Technical Committee: TC 101 - Electrostatics
• Drafting Committee: MT 7 - TC 101/MT 7
• Current Stage: PPUB - Publication issued
• Start Date: 09-Feb-2018
• Completion Date: 30-Jan-2018

Relations

• Revises: IEC 61340-4-4:2012 - Electrostatics - Part 4-4: Standard test methods for specific applications - Electrostatic classification of flexible intermediate bulk containers (FIBC)
• Effective Date: 05-Sep-2023
• Revises: IEC 61340-4-4:2012/AMD1:2014 - Amendment 1 - Electrostatics - Part 4-4: Standard test methods for specific applications - Electrostatic classification of flexible intermediate bulk containers (FIBC)
• Effective Date: 05-Sep-2023

Standards Content (Sample)

IEC 61340-4-4 ®
Edition 3.0 2018-01
REDLINE VERSION
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
colour
inside
Electrostatics –
Part 4-4: Standard test methods for specific applications – Electrostatic
classification of flexible intermediate bulk containers (FIBC)

All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form
or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from
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copyright or have an enquiry about obtaining additional rights to this publication, please contact the address below or
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About the IEC
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International Standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies.

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IEC 61340-4-4 ®
Edition 3.0 2018-01
REDLINE VERSION
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
colour
inside
Electrostatics –
Part 4-4: Standard test methods for specific applications – Electrostatic

classification of flexible intermediate bulk containers (FIBC)

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
ICS 17.220.99; 29.020; 55.080 ISBN 978-2-8322-5354-0

– 2 – IEC 61340-4-4:2018 RLV © IEC 2018
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 5
INTRODUCTION . 7
1 Scope . 8
2 Normative references . 9
3 Terms and definitions . 10
4 Classification . 12
4.1 Classification for FIBC . 12
4.1.1 Principles of classification. 12
4.1.2 Type A . 12
4.1.3 Type B . 12
4.1.4 Type C. 12
4.1.5 Type D. 12
4.2 Principles of classification and requirements for inner liners . 12
4.2.1 Components of inner liners . 12
4.2.2 Surface resistivity measurements for inner liners . 13
4.2.3 Breakdown voltage measurements for inner liners . 13
Special cases .
4.2.4 Type L1 . 14
4.2.5 Type L1C . 15
4.2.6 Type L2 . 16
4.2.5 Type L3 . 17
4.3 Combination of FIBC and inner liners . 17
5 Safe use of FIBC . 18
6 Labelling . 19
7 Requirements for FIBC . 23
7.1 General remarks . 23
7.2 Requirements for dust environments with ignition energies greater than 3 mJ
(apply to Type B FIBC, Type C FIBC and Type D FIBC) . 23
7.3 Requirements for vapour and gas atmospheres and for dust environments
with ignition energies of 3 mJ or less . 23
7.3.1 Type C FIBC . 23
7.3.2 Type D FIBC . 24
8 Atmosphere for conditioning, calibrating and testing . 24
8.1 Conditioning time . 24
8.2 Electrical breakdown voltage, surface resistivity and resistance to
groundable point testing . 24
8.3 Surface resistivity testing . 25
8.4 Ignition testing . 25
9 Test procedures . 25
9.1 Sampling. 25
9.2 Electrical breakdown voltage. 25
9.3 Ignition testing . 25
9.3.1 Apparatus . 25
9.3.2 Establishing correct charging current . 33
9.3.3 Ignition tests . 33
9.4 Resistance to groundable point . 36

9.4.1 Apparatus . 36
9.4.2 Test procedure . 36
10 Test report . 37
10.1 General . 37
10.2 For all types of testing . 38
10.3 For electrical breakdown voltage testing . 38
10.4 For ignition testing . 38
10.5 For resistance to groundable point testing . 38
10.6 For surface resistivity testing of inner liners, labels and document pockets . 38
10.7 For test reports issued by accredited testing authorities . 38
Annex A (normative informative) Electrical breakdown voltage – Typical voltage/time
graphs . 40
Annex B (normative) Polypropylene pellets for ignition testing . 41
Annex C (informative) Guidance on test methods for manufacturing quality control . 42
C.1 Introductory remarks . 42
C.2 Test methods . 42
C.2.1 Resistance measurements . 42
C.2.2 Charge decay measurements . 43
C.2.3 Charge transfer measurements . 43
Annex D (normative) Classification of hazardous areas and zones . 44
Annex E (informative) Risks associated with cone discharges . 45
Annex F (informative) Explanation for resistance and resistivity limits, and thickness
limits for insulating layers of inner liners . 46
F.1 Resistance to groundable point limit for Type C FIBC . 46
F.2 Resistivity of inner liners . 46
F.3 Thickness of insulating layers of inner liners . 46
Bibliography . 48

Figure 1 – Examples of inner liners in FIBC . 13
Figure 2 – Example of a label for Type B FIBC . 20
Figure 3 – Example of a label for Type C FIBC . 21
Figure 4 – Example of a label for Type D FIBC . 21
Figure 5 – Example of labels for Type C FIBC designated earth bonding points . 22
Figure 6 – Ignition probe . 27
Figure 7 – Perforated metal plate for use in ignition probe . 28
Figure 8 – Gas control and mixing apparatus (schematic) . 29
Figure 9 – FIBC filling rig (schematic) . 31
Figure 10 – Corona charging unit (schematic) . 32
Figure A.1 – Example of voltage/time graph for material showing distinct breakdown . 40
Figure A.2 – Example of voltage/time graph for material showing reduction in rate of
voltage rise because of conduction within the test material . 40

Table 1 – Permissible configurations and requirements for Type L1 inner liners (without
conductive internal layers) . 15
Table 2 – Permissible configurations and requirements for Type L1C inner liners (with
conductive internal layers) . 16
Table 3 – Permissible configurations and requirements for Type L2 inner liners . 17

– 4 – IEC 61340-4-4:2018 RLV © IEC 2018
Table 4 – Permissible configurations and requirements for Type L3 inner liners . 17
Table 5 – Use of different types of FIBC . 18
Table 6 – I
...

IEC 61340-4-4 ®
Edition 3.0 2018-01
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
colour
inside
Electrostatics –
Part 4-4: Standard test methods for specific applications – Electrostatic
classification of flexible intermediate bulk containers (FIBC)

Électrostatique –
Partie 4-4: Méthodes d'essai normalisées pour des applications spécifiques –
Classification électrostatique des grands récipients pour vrac souples (GRVS)
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form
or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from
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About the IEC
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is the leading global organization that prepares and publishes
International Standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies.

About IEC publications
The technical content of IEC publications is kept under constant review by the IEC. Please make sure that you have the
latest edition, a corrigenda or an amendment might have been published.

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IEC 61340-4-4 ®
Edition 3.0 2018-01
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
colour
inside
Electrostatics –
Part 4-4: Standard test methods for specific applications – Electrostatic

classification of flexible intermediate bulk containers (FIBC)

Électrostatique –
Partie 4-4: Méthodes d'essai normalisées pour des applications spécifiques –

Classification électrostatique des grands récipients pour vrac souples (GRVS)

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
INTERNATIONALE
ICS 17.220.99; 29.020; 55.080 ISBN 978-2-8322-5264-2

– 2 – IEC 61340-4-4:2018 © IEC 2018
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 5
INTRODUCTION . 7
1 Scope . 8
2 Normative references . 9
3 Terms and definitions . 10
4 Classification . 12
4.1 Classification for FIBC . 12
4.1.1 Principles of classification. 12
4.1.2 Type A . 12
4.1.3 Type B . 12
4.1.4 Type C. 12
4.1.5 Type D. 12
4.2 Principles of classification and requirements for inner liners . 12
4.2.1 Components of inner liners . 12
4.2.2 Surface resistivity measurements for inner liners . 13
4.2.3 Breakdown voltage measurements for inner liners . 13
4.2.4 Type L1 . 14
4.2.5 Type L1C . 15
4.2.6 Type L2 . 15
4.2.7 Type L3 . 16
4.3 Combination of FIBC and inner liners . 17
5 Safe use of FIBC . 17
6 Labelling . 19
7 Requirements for FIBC . 22
7.1 General remarks . 22
7.2 Requirements for dust environments with ignition energies greater than 3 mJ
(apply to Type B FIBC, Type C FIBC and Type D FIBC) . 22
7.3 Requirements for vapour and gas atmospheres and for dust environments
with ignition energies of 3 mJ or less . 23
7.3.1 Type C FIBC . 23
7.3.2 Type D FIBC . 23
8 Atmosphere for conditioning, calibrating and testing . 24
8.1 Conditioning time . 24
8.2 Electrical breakdown voltage, surface resistivity and resistance to
groundable point testing . 24
8.3 Surface resistivity testing . 24
8.4 Ignition testing . 24
9 Test procedures . 24
9.1 Sampling. 24
9.2 Electrical breakdown voltage. 24
9.3 Ignition testing . 25
9.3.1 Apparatus . 25
9.3.2 Establishing correct charging current . 32
9.3.3 Ignition tests . 32
9.4 Resistance to groundable point . 35
9.4.1 Apparatus . 35

9.4.2 Test procedure . 35
10 Test report . 36
10.1 General . 36
10.2 For all types of testing . 37
10.3 For electrical breakdown voltage testing . 37
10.4 For ignition testing . 37
10.5 For resistance to groundable point testing . 37
10.6 For surface resistivity testing of inner liners, labels and document pockets . 37
10.7 For test reports issued by accredited testing authorities . 37
Annex A (informative) Electrical breakdown voltage – Typical voltage/time graphs . 39
Annex B (normative) Polypropylene pellets for ignition testing . 40
Annex C (informative) Guidance on test methods for manufacturing quality control . 41
C.1 Introductory remarks . 41
C.2 Test methods . 41
C.2.1 Resistance measurements . 41
C.2.2 Charge decay measurements . 42
C.2.3 Charge transfer measurements . 42
Annex D (normative) Classification of hazardous areas and zones . 43
Annex E (informative) Risks associated with cone discharges . 44
Annex F (informative) Explanation for resistance and resistivity limits, and thickness
limits for insulating layers of inn
...