IEC 60079 Standards Series — Complete Overview
The IEC 60079 series is the definitive international standard for electrical equipment used in explosive atmospheres. It covers everything from the general requirements for all Ex equipment (IEC 60079-0) through specific protection types, installation, inspection, and maintenance. Understanding the structure of the series is fundamental to CompEx preparation and to working safely in any hazardous area.
The Structure of IEC 60079
The IEC 60079 series is published in numbered parts, each covering a specific aspect of hazardous area electrical equipment. The most important parts for electricians and inspection engineers are:
| Standard | Title | Protection Type |
|---|---|---|
| IEC 60079-0 | General Requirements | All Ex equipment |
| IEC 60079-1 | Flameproof Enclosures | Ex d |
| IEC 60079-2 | Pressurised Enclosures | Ex p / Ex px / Ex pz |
| IEC 60079-7 | Increased Safety | Ex e / Ex ec |
| IEC 60079-11 | Intrinsic Safety | Ex i / Ex ia / Ex ib / Ex ic |
| IEC 60079-15 | Equipment Protection by Type n | Ex n / Ex nA / Ex nC |
| IEC 60079-18 | Encapsulation | Ex m |
| IEC 60079-28 | Protection by Optical Radiation | Ex op |
| IEC 60079-31 | Dust Ignition Protection by Enclosure | Ex t |
| IEC 60079-10 | Classification of Areas (Gas) | Zone classification |
| IEC 60079-14 | Installation | All types |
| IEC 60079-17 | Inspection and Maintenance | All types |
ATEX and IECEx — How They Relate to IEC 60079
The IEC 60079 series is the international technical standard. ATEX (the EU/UK directive for equipment in explosive atmospheres) and IECEx (the international certification scheme) both reference IEC 60079 as the underlying technical requirement. Equipment certified under ATEX or IECEx has been tested and verified to meet the relevant IEC 60079 requirements.
When working in hazardous areas, you are applying the IEC 60079 standards every time you inspect, install, or select Ex equipment. CompEx assesses your ability to apply these standards to real-world scenarios — which is why understanding the structure and content of the series is fundamental to preparation.
The Most Important Standards for Inspection Engineers
For CompEx Ex03/Ex04, the most critical standards are IEC 60079-17 (inspection and maintenance), IEC 60079-1 (Ex d — the most common protection type on process plants), and IEC 60079-7 (Ex e). The zone classification standard IEC 60079-10 underpins equipment selection decisions.
Reading about it is one thing. EX Academy puts you in the scenario — interactive inspection simulations, equipment selection decisions, and 1,185+ practice questions all referenced to IEC 60079. Try Simulation 01 and Scenario 01 completely free.
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