Good evening and thanks for looking.
I've had a look at a brand new piece of equipment that needs to be maintained in the coming months. The threads on Exd glands into threaded housings in zone 2 IIC have been coated with copper ease, I understand a non conductive lubricant can be used on threads but I would expect the copper ease to be conductive. Am I right to be concerned. Thanks
Latest Ed 6 of IEC 60079-14 Reg 8.7.3 "Protection of Flamepaths" indicates the following:
Of course the threaded entry for the cable entry device (Gland), is of course a threaded flamepath so 8.7.3 would apply if wishing to prevent corrosion. If the copper ease was applied by the manufacturer and not the installer, I would ask the manufacturer for written confirmation that the copper ease they applied is actually appropriate.
Cheers GTB
PDFfor reference the datasheet for copperease is attached. Be aware that the 1100C temperature applies to the product once installed, and that the 'spray-on' version beloved of garages that do brakes has a propellant that is highly flammable (!) Lets hope they used the stuff that comes in a tub. It is certainly not a reliable insulator, but equally, according to the data, nor is it a reliable conductor, so I might be checking the continuity of the conduit afterwards ;-) In reality, I think the earthing will be unaffected.
But in non atex situations we use it to stop stainless parts from jamming, which otherwise they do depressingly easily, and it is very good at that and certainly has no effect on the passage of large RF current surges.
Mike.
