Raytec SPARTAN – ATEX “op is” Certified LED Hazardous Area Lighting Products

Published 14 May 2019

Raytec SPARTAN – ATEX op is Certified LED Hazardous Area Lighting

• uploaded by Chris Dodds - Thorne & Derrick Sales / Marketing Manager

Raytec SPARTAN Hazardous Area Lighting

Raytec SPARTAN manufacture a full range of hazardous area lighting with Flood, Linear, Bulkhead, Bay and Crane lighting, meaning there’s a solution for any application.

All Raytec hazardous area lighting, fittings and products are designed and manufactured in the UK and are ATEX and IEC Ex approved.

All ATEX lighting products come with a 5 year warranty.

Raytec are also ISO9001 and IS014001 certified.

Earlier in 2018, all products in the Raytec SPARTAN range of lighting were recertified to comply with an update in the ATEX directives (EN 60079-28:2015) referred to as ‘op-is’.

But what exactly does this mean, and more importantly, why does it matter?

Raytec SPARTAN

What is op-is?

Op-is focuses on the ignition risk caused by optical radiation from LEDs.

Light beams may not normally be perceived as dangerous, but as technology develops, LED lighting for hazardous areas is becoming increasingly powerful and their beams more intense. In certain environments this could present an ignition risk as particles in the atmosphere absorb the energy created by the light beam; otherwise known as optical radiation.

In a hazardous area or potentially explosive atmosphere this is a particular concern.

Why is op-is Important?

Simply put, any ignition risk in a hazardous area lighting application means there is a danger of an explosion which could lead to loss of life or catastrophic damage.

While the likelihood of an ignition due to optical radiation may be small, using luminaires or light fittings which do not carry the op-is mark is a risk; the luminaires or fittings will not have been tested or certified to ensure that optical radiation does not present a danger. Is it a risk worth taking?

Of course, the inclusion of op-is represents a fairly recent update to the ATEX directive, meaning any luminaires or light fittings installed prior to this will not carry the op-is mark. Replacing an entire installation of older luminaires in order to comply may be unrealistic, but the new standards should be taken into account for any new luminaires installed.

Is it Mandatory?

Any LED light fittings or luminaires certified after April 2018 must be certified to include op-is. However, as hazardous area certification is generally done prior to a lighting product first being launched, the majority of luminaires or light fittings available on the market today will probably have been certified prior to the introduction of op-is standards.

This raises the question, should manufacturers have their products retested to comply with op-is? While this could be considered a grey area (with no obvious legislation forcing manufacturers to do so), in the context of manufacturing products designed for use in dangerous, high risk applications, ensuring those products comply to the latest standards (which include op-is) is an essential process for any reputable manufacturer.

All products in the Raytec SPARTAN hazardous area lighting range comply with op-is standards and updated certificates.

Lighting Fittings Linear | High Bay | Bulkhead | Floodlights | Zone 1 & Zone 2 Hazardous Area Lighting

ELECTRICAL & PROCESS INSTRUMENTATION EQUIPMENT

FOR EXPLOSIVE ATMOSPHERES

Thorne & Derrick are Specialist Distributors of Hazardous Area & Explosion Proof Equipment with IECEx & ATEX Certifications to the onshore and offshore oil, gas, petrochemicals and process industries.

Key Product Categories: Control Panels | Plugs & Sockets | Isolators | Enclosures & Junction Boxes | Lighting | Control Stations | Motor Starters | Heat Trace Cables & Systems | Gas Detection & Detectors | Fire Detection & Detectors | Heat Detectors | Electrical Heating & Heaters 

 Also Process Instrumentation Products: Ashcroft Pressure Gauges | ASCO Valves | Katronic Flow Meters | KROHNE Flow Meters | VEGA Level Sensors | Rotronic Temperature & Humidity Sensors | SIKA Pressure Gauges

Trace Heating | System Design & Supply

Further Reading

• Raytec Hazardous Area Product Overview Guide Size: 5.51 MB