NEC and Hazardous Locations

The NEC defines a “Hazardous Location” as a location “where fire or explosion hazards may exist due to flammable gases or vapors, flammable liquids, combustible dust, or ignitable fibers or flyings.” There are 13 articles and 68 pages in the NEC regarding hazardous locations, installation practices and equipment requirements. Understanding what makes a location “hazardous” is the first step in providing a safer electrical system. Materials that can cause a location to be classified as hazardous range from hydrogen, to grains, coal dust, petroleum products and many others. Jim Phillips, P.E. – October 2005 – NEC Digest Download Article: NEC Digest Hazardous Locations