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> Explosion-proof means that it won't cause an explosion Wait, what? The implication is that their other cameras regularly cause explosions?

somerandomqaguy 3y ago
The term is Intrinsically Safe. It's for equipment that is guaranteed won't be an ignition source, specifically intended for things intended to be operating in confined areas where there's a danger that combustible gases can build up.
- hedgehog 3y ago
  To reinforce, this is harder to achieve than it might seem. Sparking in switches and buttons and electrostatic discharge both are kind of invisible in normal environments but can be disaster on an oil rig or in an area of a hospital where pure oxygen is flowing. All the paperwork and monitoring to make sure that the design is correct and that the manufacturing stays within spec costs money too.
woofcat 3y ago
It has been certified that it can/shouldn't produce any sparks or arcs in the event that it's in a gas filled room.
- c_o_n_v_e_x 3y ago
  That's only for one form of explosion protection. Some methods of protection are for explosion prevention, other forms are mitigation. Explosion proof / flame proof enclosures don't prevent explosions. Their sole purpose is to contain the explosion and to ensure that the gases escaping from the enclosure do not ignite the surrounding atmosphere. The beauty of a flameproof enclosure is that I can put standard, non-protected electronics into an enclosure and use them in a hazardous area. It's a much more affordable way of deploying electronics into hazardous areas, rather than designing from scratch and certifying.
mcpherrinm 3y ago
A regular light switch might spark as you flip it, or a power switch on electronics. Some electronics use a spark gap as a form of surge protection: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spark_gap#/media/File:PCB_Sparkgap.jpg https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spark_gap#/media/File:PCB_Spar... None of that would be acceptable in an environment that requires intrinsically safe equipment. The electronics also need to be carefully current-limited so there's no chance they overheat and cause an explosion that way too.
kevin_thibedeau 3y ago
Yes. There are non-sparking explosion proof hand tools that need to be used in such environments. Naturally, electronics are a hazard as well.
palotasb 3y ago
Think about oil rigs or coal mines where all electronics are potential sources of sparks/arcs and thus explosions.
- c_o_n_v_e_x 3y ago
  Coal mining equipment explosion protection is particularly onerous as you have to protect against dust (coal dust) and gas explosions (methane).
c_o_n_v_e_x 3y ago
>Wait, what? The implication is that their other cameras regularly cause explosions? Non-explosion protected electronics... sure. All you need is an atmosphere of sufficient concentration and a spark with sufficient ignition energy OR a hot surface that is above the atmosphere's auto ignition temperature (think a hot resistor on a PCB). Some chemicals have absurdly low auto ignition temperatures or ignition energies. Engineers must spec equipment for chemicals they expect to encounter within the hazardous area. Engineers also have to factor in how often the flammable atmosphere will be present. All of this is spelled in out IEC60079 for Europe and RoW. US has their own standards.

somerandomqaguy 3y ago

The term is Intrinsically Safe. It's for equipment that is guaranteed won't be an ignition source, specifically intended for things intended to be operating in confined areas where there's a danger that combustible gases can build up.

hedgehog 3y ago
To reinforce, this is harder to achieve than it might seem. Sparking in switches and buttons and electrostatic discharge both are kind of invisible in normal environments but can be disaster on an oil rig or in an area of a hospital where pure oxygen is flowing. All the paperwork and monitoring to make sure that the design is correct and that the manufacturing stays within spec costs money too.

woofcat 3y ago

It has been certified that it can/shouldn't produce any sparks or arcs in the event that it's in a gas filled room.

c_o_n_v_e_x 3y ago
That's only for one form of explosion protection. Some methods of protection are for explosion prevention, other forms are mitigation. Explosion proof / flame proof enclosures don't prevent explosions. Their sole purpose is to contain the explosion and to ensure that the gases escaping from the enclosure do not ignite the surrounding atmosphere. The beauty of a flameproof enclosure is that I can put standard, non-protected electronics into an enclosure and use them in a hazardous area. It's a much more affordable way of deploying electronics into hazardous areas, rather than designing from scratch and certifying.

mcpherrinm 3y ago

A regular light switch might spark as you flip it, or a power switch on electronics. Some electronics use a spark gap as a form of surge protection: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spark_gap#/media/File:PCB_Sparkgap.jpg https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spark_gap#/media/File:PCB_Spar... None of that would be acceptable in an environment that requires intrinsically safe equipment. The electronics also need to be carefully current-limited so there's no chance they overheat and cause an explosion that way too.

kevin_thibedeau 3y ago

Yes. There are non-sparking explosion proof hand tools that need to be used in such environments. Naturally, electronics are a hazard as well.

palotasb 3y ago

Think about oil rigs or coal mines where all electronics are potential sources of sparks/arcs and thus explosions.

c_o_n_v_e_x 3y ago
Coal mining equipment explosion protection is particularly onerous as you have to protect against dust (coal dust) and gas explosions (methane).

c_o_n_v_e_x 3y ago

>Wait, what? The implication is that their other cameras regularly cause explosions? Non-explosion protected electronics... sure. All you need is an atmosphere of sufficient concentration and a spark with sufficient ignition energy OR a hot surface that is above the atmosphere's auto ignition temperature (think a hot resistor on a PCB). Some chemicals have absurdly low auto ignition temperatures or ignition energies. Engineers must spec equipment for chemicals they expect to encounter within the hazardous area. Engineers also have to factor in how often the flammable atmosphere will be present. All of this is spelled in out IEC60079 for Europe and RoW. US has their own standards.