Ex e Lighting

Lighting using Increased Safety design usually uses other safety protection methods for individual components used inside the light fitting enclosure. Other methods used would be flameproof and encapsulation.

In general, the lamps used are “cold” types such as fluorescent tubes with special features added to protect control equipment used to start the lamp. Temperature of electronic circuits and lamp surfaces need special design considerations. Failed fluorescent lamps should not be left unchanged as the control equipment becomes stressed and overheats. Not so much of a problem with electronic lamp control circuits.

Part of the design philosophy is that the equipment will be maintained regularly and in a safe manner otherwise the equipment is not operating in its designed state.

Certification conditions of use are seen to be broken and, the apparatus Certification is considered as not valid. It is defined as a device in which an external atmosphere cannot gain access to the device interior. Devices sealed by glass defusing, e.g. reed relays, or potting methods, e.g. encapsulation.

Applies to factory sealed devices, which use glass, metal solder or epoxy resins to seal air and moisture out of small electrical components or circuits.

It is used for ballasts in Ex n and Ex e fluorescent light fittings, also, Ex de signal relay components.