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Purge
panel
system
background
information
Reference
standard
The
American National Fire Protection Association's (NFPA) standard 496
is used as the base for purge panel system design by Hulasi.
Link
to "NFPA
496
-
Purged
and
Pressurized
Enclosures for Electrical Equipment."
Types
of Purge / Pressurized systems
The NFPA
496
defines
"Types"
of
pressurization
based
on
the Division
rating of a hazardous location and electrical ratings of the
protected equipment. General-purpose and Division 2 rated electrical
equipment require different means of protection, depending on their
location.
Panel
/ System with Type "X" Pressurization
is used to protects general-purpose equipment in Division 1 or
zone 1 Areas. This system reduces the classification within protected
enclosures from Division 1 or zone 1 to (unclassified) non-hazardous.
A cutoff switch is required to de-enrgize power automatically to all
protected equipment within the protected enclosure in case of failure
of the pressurization system.
Panel
/ System with Type "Y" Pressurization
is used to protects Division 2 rated equipment in Division 1
or zone 1 Areas. This system reduces the classification within
protected enclosures from Division 1 to Division 2 or zone 1 to zone
2. All protected equipment must be rated for Division 2. Automatic
power control disconnects are not required, but visual and/or audible
alarms must be initiated when the pressure falls below the minimum
limit.
Panel
/ System with Type "Z" Pressurization
is used to protects general-purpose equipment in Division 2 or
zone 2 Areas. This system reduces the classification within
protected enclosures from Division 2 or zone 2 to non classified (non
hazardous). Automatic power control disconnects are not required, but
visual and/or audible alarms must be initiated when the pressure
falls below the minimum limit.
Basic
differences
between
X,
Y
and
Z
Panel
/
System
as
per
NFPA 496:
-
For Type X and Z systems,
the internal equipment can be rated as general purpose equipment, but
for Type Y systems only Division 2 rated equipment can be used.
-
The purging time for Type
Y and Z is based on a measured inlet airflow rate to the enclosure.
Type X purging time is based on a measured airflow rate to the outlet.
-
The removal of power to
the enclosure is not required on loss of pressure for Type Y and Z
systems. Since a Type X systems may have non-hazardous rated internal
equipment in a Division 1 area, an interlock between the power and
pressurization system is required to cut off power to this internal
equipment in case of lost internal pressure.
4. Type X systems
also require electronic timers for full automatic
control.
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