AS NZS IEC 60079.11-2024 PDF

Full title and description

St AS NZS IEC 60079.11-2024 — Explosive atmospheres, Part 11: Equipment protection by intrinsic safety "i". This joint Australian/New Zealand adoption identically adopts the IEC 60079‑11 technical content and provides requirements for the design, construction, testing and marking of intrinsically safe electrical apparatus and associated equipment intended for use in explosive gas and dust atmospheres.

Abstract

AS/NZS IEC 60079.11:2024 (St AS NZS IEC 60079.11-2024) specifies the principles and requirements for equipment protection by intrinsic safety ("i"), including grouping/classification of apparatus, levels of protection (ia, ib, ic), ignition‑risk assessment (spark and thermal), requirements for simple apparatus, construction and enclosure rules, temperature limits, wiring and PCB track considerations, testing and conformity assessment, and marking and documentation for certification and field application. The Australian/New Zealand edition is an identical adoption of IEC 60079‑11:2023.

General information

• Status: Current (active adoption; supersedes AS/NZS 60079.11:2011 and associated drafts).
• Publication date: 28 June 2024.
• Publisher: Standards Australia (joint publication with Standards New Zealand).
• ICS / categories: 29.260.20 — Electrical apparatus for explosive atmospheres (IEC 60079 series).
• Edition / version: AS/NZS IEC 60079.11:2024 — identical adoption of IEC 60079‑11:2023 (Edition 7.0).
• Number of pages: 193 pages.

Scope

This standard applies to intrinsically safe electrical equipment and associated apparatus that are intended to be connected to intrinsically safe circuits entering explosive atmospheres. It addresses assessment of ignition risk from electrical circuits (spark and thermal), classification of apparatus by group and level of protection (ia, ib, ic), requirements for simple apparatus, rules for construction (enclosures, wiring, PCB tracks, small components), applicable safety factors, test methods and marking/documentation needed for conformity assessment and certification. The content is aligned with the IEC 60079 series and is intended for manufacturers, certifying bodies and technical users working with equipment in hazardous areas.

Key topics and requirements

• Definitions and classification of intrinsically safe apparatus and associated circuits.
• Levels of protection: ia, ib and ic and their application rules.
• Ignition compliance — spark ignition and thermal ignition assessment, including application of safety factors (1.0 and 1.5) where applicable.
• Requirements for simple apparatus and circuits without/with controlled semiconductor limitation.
• Construction and mechanical requirements: enclosures, wiring practices, PCB track considerations and temperature limits for components and assemblies.
• Testing and verification procedures, type‑testing and routine checks relevant to intrinsic safety designs.
• Marking, documentation and information required for certification, installation and safe use in explosive atmospheres.

Typical use and users

Used by manufacturers of intrinsically safe equipment, certification laboratories, regulatory authorities, electrical and instrumentation engineers, maintenance personnel and consultants involved in specifying, installing and inspecting electrical equipment for hazardous (explosive) gas and dust atmospheres. It is also used by procurement and safety managers to verify conformity and safe selection of equipment for hazardous area installations.

Related standards

Part of the IEC/AS/NZS 60079 series on explosive atmospheres. Commonly referenced or used together with: AS/NZS/IEC 60079‑0 (general requirements for electrical apparatus for explosive atmospheres), AS/NZS/IEC 60079‑14 (installation), and other 60079 parts covering protection types (e.g., p, m, q, etc.). Earlier national edition AS/NZS 60079.11:2011 is superseded by this 2024 adoption.

Keywords

intrinsic safety, intrinsic safe, explosive atmospheres, hazardous areas, Ex i, IEC 60079, AS/NZS 60079.11, levels of protection, ignition prevention, certification, hazardous area equipment.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: AS/NZS IEC 60079.11:2024 (St AS NZS IEC 60079.11-2024) is the Australian/New Zealand adoption of IEC 60079‑11 covering equipment protection by intrinsic safety "i" for use in explosive atmospheres.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers the construction, testing, assessment and marking requirements for intrinsically safe apparatus and associated equipment or circuits that enter explosive atmospheres, including rules for spark and thermal ignition compliance, levels of protection (ia/ib/ic), simple apparatus, enclosure and wiring requirements, PCB considerations, and conformity assessment.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Manufacturers, design and safety engineers, testing and certification bodies, installers and maintenance teams working with electrical equipment in hazardous areas, and regulators or procurement teams specifying compliant Ex equipment.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: Current — published 28 June 2024 and listed as the active AS/NZS adoption; it supersedes AS/NZS 60079.11:2011 and related draft revisions.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is Part 11 of the IEC/AS/NZS 60079 series (Explosive atmospheres). The 60079 family includes a general requirements part (60079‑0) and multiple parts addressing different protection concepts (e.g., p, m, q, d, n, etc.); these documents are commonly used together for design, installation and certification of equipment for hazardous areas.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Intrinsic safety; intrinsic safe; Ex i; explosive atmospheres; hazardous areas; IEC 60079; AS/NZS 60079.11; levels of protection; ignition prevention; certification.