The nuts and bolts of a good installation

Most oil exploration and subsequent refining operations take place outside the continental areas of North America and Europe. There, the National Electrical Code (NEC), Canadian Electrical Code (CEC), and CENELEC standards are not the de facto codes and standards to which firms must adhere. There is limited control over where equipment is purchased, with the taut policy "to purchase from anyone that can meet the specifications." As a result, specifications become extremely critical since they are the primary means of controlling safety, functionality, maintenance, and reliability of the installation. When designing or specifying to IEC standards, there are several major areas to consider that contrast from NEC: the use of cabling systems, sealing methods, enclosures, lighting practices, and intrinsically safe circuits.