intrinsic safety
Intrinsic safety is a design approach used in electrical equipment to prevent ignition in hazardous environments. It ensures that devices operate safely by limiting the energy available for sparks or heat, which could ignite flammable gases or dust. This is particularly important in industries like oil and gas, where explosive atmospheres are common.
To achieve intrinsic safety, equipment is designed with protective barriers that restrict electrical and thermal energy. This means that even if a fault occurs, the device will not produce enough energy to cause an explosion. Common applications include explosion-proof enclosures and intrinsically safe barriers that are essential for safe operations in hazardous locations.