---
title: 'Protection Concepts'
url: 'https://hazardex.com/protection'
markdown: 'https://hazardex.com/protection.md'
date: '2026-06-23'
description: 'Various defined protection methods can be utilised to mitigate the risks associated with the hazards of a hazardous area. These protection methods are engineered solutions to either remove one of the parameters required for an explosion or in the case of Ex d flameproof contain any explosion to pre…'
taxonomy:
  category:
    - docs
---

# Protection Concepts

[](#)  [ Hazardex ](https://hazardex.com/)      Protection Concepts    

Various defined protection methods can be utilised to mitigate the risks associated with the hazards of a hazardous area. These protection methods are engineered solutions to either remove one of the parameters required for an explosion or in the case of Ex d flameproof contain any explosion to prevent it propagating outside the protection containment.

All electrical equipment in the hazardous area must comply with EN 60079-0 the general standard, except were it is overridden by one of the other standards specific to the protection method.
The primary electrical protection methods are:

| Code | Protection Concept | Standard | Notes & Principles |
|---|---|---|---|
| [Ex d](https://hazardex.com/protection/ex-d) | Flameproof | EN 60079-1 | Contain the Explosion |
| [Ex e](https://hazardex.com/protection/ex-e) | Increased Safety | EN 60079-7 | High Integrity Non Sparking |
| [Ex i](https://hazardex.com/protection/ex-i) | Intrinsic Safety | EN 60079-11 | Power limitation |
| [Ex t](https://hazardex.com/protection/ex-t) | Enclosure | EN 60079-31 | Keep out the dust (Not for Gas) |
| [Ex n](https://hazardex.com/protection/ex-n) | Various[1](#fn:1) | EN 60079-6 | non sparking |
| [Ex p](https://hazardex.com/protection/ex-p) | Pressurised | EN 60079-2 | see EN 61241-4 for Dust |
|  |  |  |  |
| Ex m | encapsulated[2](#fn:2) | EN 60079-18 | rarely used on its own |
| Ex o | Oil Filled | EN 60079-6 | Rarely used |
| Ex q | Powder filled | EN 60079-05 | Rarely used |
| Ex s | special | EN 60079-33 | Used when no other method applies |

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Note

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1. The EN60079-6 standard for [Ex n](https://hazardex.com/protection/ex-n) (for use in Category 3G only) covers a number of protection techniques, **Ex nA** Non-Sparking, **Ex nC** Enclosed Break and **Ex nR** Restricted Breathing. [↩](#fnref1:1)
2. if an item is entirely encapsulated it has not connections i.e. a portable device. Ex m is either used as a component with trailing cables or more commonly in confunction with another protection method such as **Ex em**. [↩](#fnref1:2)

[🔝](#top)

 [ ](https://hazardex.com/define/zones/assess) [](https://hazardex.com/protection/ex-d)

---

## Navigation

- Previous: [Define the Hazard](https://hazardex.com/define.md)
- Next: [Marking & Labels](https://hazardex.com/labels.md)
- Children:
  - [Flameproof - Ex d](https://hazardex.com/protection/ex-d.md)
  - [Increased Safety - Ex e](https://hazardex.com/protection/ex-e.md)
  - [Non-Sparking - Ex n](https://hazardex.com/protection/ex-n.md)
  - [Intrinsic Safety - Ex i](https://hazardex.com/protection/ex-i.md)
  - [Protection by Enclosure - Ex t](https://hazardex.com/protection/ex-t.md)
  - [Pressurised - Ex p](https://hazardex.com/protection/ex-p.md)