# What is Intrinsically safe?

**URL:** <https://forumautomation.com/t/what-is-intrinsically-safe/1690>\
**Category:** Instrumentation\
**Created:** [January 21, 2017, 5:04pm UTC](https://forumautomation.com/t/what-is-intrinsically-safe/1690 "2017-01-21T17:04:44Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![denizen](https://forumautomation.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/d/848f3c/32.png) [@denizen](https://forumautomation.com/u/denizen)\
**Post date:** [January 21, 2017, 5:04pm UTC](https://forumautomation.com/t/what-is-intrinsically-safe/1690/1 "2017-01-21T17:04:45Z")

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**Intrinsically Safe**

A design technique to limit energy (electrical and/or thermal) below a level required to ignite a specific hazardous atmospheric mixture.

Why intrinsic safe is important?

This technique is important for minimizing loss of life and injuries. Minimize property damage.

**Classification of Hazardous Atmosphere**

These are the three types of hazardous conditions or classes.

Class 1 - Flammable gases or vapors present.

Class 2 - Combustible dust present

Class 3- Ignitable fibers present.

There are two kinds of hazardous conditions with in a class.

Division 1- The hazardous material present has a high probability of producing an explosion.

Division 2- The hazardous material present has a low probability of producing an explosion.

Divisions in the EU are defined as zones.