The "why" and "how" of explosion protection for optical radiation

Process systems with hazardous areas in which no optical components may be used at all, are a rare exception to the rule. Light fittings, lasers, LEDs and similar components are required in most systems for communication, monitoring and measurement purposes. The progress of digitalisation is increasingly bringing Ethernet networking into the field, and therefore into hazardous areas as well. When bridging large distances in extended systems, in particular, and due to their excellent immunity, fibre optics are becoming an ever more popular choice for network technology. Depending on the optical fibre used, distances of 2 to 30 kilometres can be covered.

It is easy to see why optical radiation poses an ignition hazard – simply use a magnifying glass to concentrate some sunlight onto straw, and see how quickly it starts to burn. When the energy is focused on a small area, it is magnified, meaning that it is many times stronger in the focal point than in the surrounding area. And what does an optical conductor do? It focuses light down to a very small point. PTB report W-67 on "Ignition of explosive vapour/air and gas/air mixtures due to continuous optical radiation" was published in 1996 by M. M. Welzel. In August 2006, IEC 60079-28 "Explosive atmospheres - Part 28: Protection of equipment and transmission systems using optical radiation" was published. It was implemented in Europe in October 2007. Since April 2016, the second edition has been available; it contains a number of additions and clarifications. In principle, this standard discusses four potential ignition mechanisms:

• Optical radiation causes particles to heat up – they can, under certain conditions, attain a surface temperature that could ignite an explosive atmosphere
• Thermal ignition of a gas volume because the optical wavelength matches an absorption band of the gas (a kind of resonance effect)
• Photochemical ignition due to photochemical dissociation of oxygen molecules by radiation in the ultraviolet range
• Direct laser-induced breakdown of a gas at the focal point of a strong beam, producing plasma or a shock wave, both potentially acting as an ignition source

The first potential mechanism – ignition caused by an excessive surface temperature – is the most relevant in practice. Installations can be protected in three ways according to the standard:

• Protected optical radiation "op pr"
• Optical systems with locking devices "op sh" (shut down)
• Inherently safe optical radiation "op is"

Unlike electrical signals, light is not limited in terms of its location. As a result, even a light source outside or near the hazardous area can shine into this area and cause an explosion. This must be taken into account during project engineering and risk assessment.

The second edition of the standard, in particular, explicitly refers to the fact that not every ray of light or LED will immediately become a hazardous source of ignition. A range of radiation sources are explicitly exempt:

1. LEDs with divergent radiation that are not designed in a matrix arrangement or with laser technology and that are used to display a device status or as backlighting for LCD displays
2. Light fittings with continuous divergent light sources (for all EPLs).
   Light fittings with LED light sources (only exempt for "Gc" or "Dc" EPL).
   However, all light fittings must comply with the general requirements for lighting equipment (e.g. minimum distances between the part generating light and bodies that can absorb light).
3. Optical radiation sources for Gb or Gc and Db or Dc applications that correspond to the Class 1 limiting values in IEC 60825-1 "Safety of laser products - Part 1: Equipment classification and requirements". In the case of these Class 1 lasers, however, an "eye to laser" distance, which is specified where applicable, is also relevant for explosion protection purposes.

Appendix C lists the procedure for assessing ignition hazards with respect to optical radiation.

Protected optical radiation "op pr" is based on the idea of preventing radiation from escaping from its enclosure. FO cables must be designed so that they are robust enough for this type of protection or laid in such a way that they are protected from factors that could destroy them. Enclosures must be designed so that an explosion inside the enclosure cannot ignite the external atmosphere and so that no hazardous amount of light energy can reach the outside – as a result, they must not contain any inspection windows or similar features. This means that this method of protection largely corresponds to the "increased safety" and "flameproof enclosure" methods, which are familiar from electrical explosion protection. Another option is the "Ex p" pressurized enclosure type of protection. Specific cable entries and plug connectors are also required. Accordingly, any external connection in Zone 1 must meet all corresponding requirements from IEC 60079-0. Splice boxes, which are also available in a certified Zone 1 version, are an extremely suitable, reliable option for laying and distributing optical cables.

The second type of protection mentioned above, the "op sh" locking and shut down principle, relies on broken fibres being detected immediately and the optical radiation being switched off safely as soon as this occurs. The protective principle underlying this method of protection is based on a risk assessment. On this topic, users will be reminded of the "functional safety" set of standards (IEC 61508 and IEC 61511). IEC 60079-28 also makes explicit reference to these standards. Due to the extremely strict requirements for software and hardware, there are only a few products for this application on the market.

Special optical isolators are required for optically intrinsically safe networking. From a very early stage, products for the PROFIBUS DP were developed based on the principle of inherently safe optical radiation. R. STAHL launched the first solutions of this kind for the Remote I/O system IS1+ on the market at the end of the 1990s. Later versions of this product have even been designed to allow for optical rings to be installed in hazardous areas; running diagnostics and issuing alerts with these products, for instance in the event of a glass fibre breakage or for signal levels, is simple.

Solutions for Industrial Ethernet that can be implemented practically using media converters or switches are also available. For instance, with optically inherently safe Ethernet, the powerful Remote I/O solution IS1+, which many users have tried and tested to great success in Profibus DP environments, can be used in Zone 1 Until now, the Profibus DP has been one of a few fieldbuses that are capable of transmitting the volumes of data associated with a Remote I/O system in an acceptable time and that can be used to design even large system structures in a cost-effective manner. What's more, it is available for both copper and fibre optic cables in an explosion-protected version. Industrial Ethernet is opening up new possibilities for even faster, more efficient signal transmission. The IS1+ system communicates using a range of real-time Ethernet protocols such as PROFINET, EtherNet/P and Modbus TCP. In addition, OPC UA or classic FDT/DTM technology guarantees simple integration into diagnostics and asset management systems.