The Effect of Hazardous Locations on Electrical Equipment Short-Circuit Ratings: Copyright Material IEEE, Paper No. PCIC-2018-50

A common assumption is that protective devices, such as circuit breakers, in hazardous areas, such as Class I, Division 1 and 2 or Zone 1 and 2, will work at their designed voltage, current, and short- circuit ratings in the same manner as in non-hazardous areas. However, this is not always true. The electrical components of these protective devices can be affected by the type of enclosure used for their installation within a hazardous area. This paper will explore the characteristics and behavior of the short-circuit ratings for electrical equipment installed in a hazardous area. Some factors, such as the type of flammable and combustible material present, play a role in limiting these short-circuit ratings. In addition, material groups create the atmosphere for installed devices and are a deciding factor on short-circuit ratings.