Electrical equipment in hazardous areas
SummaryOverviewStandardsHazardsEquipmentLabelingHistorySee also
A light switch may cause a small, harmless spark when switched on or off. In an ordinary household this is of no concern, but if a flammable atmosphere is present, the arc might start an explosion. In many industrial, commercial, and scientific settings, the presence of such an atmosphere is a common, or at least commonly possible, occurrence. Protecting against fire and explosion is of interest for both personnel safety as well as reliability reasons.