SMALL COMPONENT IGNITION TESTS � UNCERTAINTY ESTIMATION

Abstract

The paper presents issues regarding uncertainty involved in the test process to ignition of small components for intrinsically safe equipment. In the first part of the paper, the classification of explosion-protected equipment is presented. In power generation and also in other industrial areas, the incidence of flammable substances is a common factor. As a consequence of this, the risk of explosion may arise. On the other hand, installations located in areas endangered by the presence of flammable substances must remain in operation and therefore live. The equipment in the installations must be assessed, tested, and certified for use in explosive atmospheres if they are to be operated safely. In the second part, the requirements of the intrinsically safe type of protection and the necessary aspects of ignition testing of small components are presented. The third part presents the model for uncertainty assessment of the testing mixture and the uncertainty in the determination of the temperature of the component under test. The results obtained are also presented and discussed. The approach concludes that the resulting uncertainty in the test process does not significantly affect the test results.