IEC 60079-17:2002

This International Standard is intended to be applied by users, and covers factors directly related to the inspection and maintenance of electrical installations within hazardous areas only. It does not include conventional requirements fo relectrical installations, nor the testing and certification of electrical apparatus. It does not cover Group I apparatus (applications fo rmines susceptible to firedamp). It does not cover the alternative of "Continuous supervision by skilled personnel".

This part of IEC 60079 applies to users and covers factors directly related to the inspection and maintenance of electrical installations within hazardous areas only, where the hazard may be caused by flammable gases, vapours, mists, dusts, fibres or flyings. It does not apply to underground mining areas, areas where a risk can arise due to the presence of hybrid mixtures, dusts of explosives that do not require atmospheric oxygen for combustion, and pyrophoric substances. The significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition are as follows: Additional requirements for inspection and maintenance of electrical installations for combustible dusts and Equipment Protection Levels have been introduced and are explained in the new Annex C.