Electronic devices and the battery packs that power them pose a risk of combustion in coal mines, petrochemical plants and other hazardous environments that are exposed to flammable gases, vapors, combustible dust, or fibers.
To reduce this risk, safety standards and testing procedures have been developed, which vary based on geographical location:
- United States and Canada – currently following HAZLOC but moving towards IECEx.
- Europe – Adheres to ATEX standards (similar to IECEx).
Typically, an electronic device will be certified with its battery embedded, resulting in the complete offering achieving an overall certification. However, this means that the same model of the battery must be used to power that device to maintain the certification. If a different battery is used, then the complete offering will need to be recertified, which is a costly and lengthy process. Furthermore, if a certified electronic device needs to be connected to a different certified device, then the complete system will need to be certified together.
The standards treat gases, dust, and fibers separately, and the amount of testing that is needed varies depending on how often the hazard is present - for example, ‘always present’ or ‘may exist under abnormal conditions’.
Testing must be completed by a specialized lab that works with well-known certification companies and has expertise in the appropriate standards. The lab should be contacted in the initial stages of product design so that any required safety features can be incorporated from the outset. Once a prototype has been built, the lab can check that it complies with the standards and passes all the necessary tests.
Upon successful completion, a certification mark will be issued by the certification company. Depending on the certification, it will also have markings depicting explosive atmospheres in which the product can be used.
It is also advisable to work with battery manufacturers that have experience in designing battery packs to HAZLOC, ATEX, or IECEx standards. Ultralife Corporation and its subsidiary companies including Excell Battery, SWE, and Electrochem all have many years of experience and can provide the necessary technical support. Contact us today to discuss your needs and explore tailored solutions for your application.
