The industries where flammable gases dusts or vapours exist ensure the safety and efficiency of electrical systems. Presence of hazardous materials at workplaces enhances the risk of electrical malfunction and explosion that can pose threats to the workers, properties and environment. This is where hazardous area electrical systems and proper hazardous area electrical maintenance play their role. The standard becomes even more critical in Australia because accidents will not arise and integrity in the way of operations maintained if they were to apply such standards.Hazardous area electrical systems are designed to operate in a safe manner in potentially explosive gas dusts, or vapours. Such places include mining, oil and gas, petrochemical, manufacturing sectors. Electrical equipment placed in such areas must be constructed to resist the threat of explosion or fire initiated by electrical sparks or faults. As such hazardous area electrical equipment design has special features like explosion proof enclosures intrinsically safe circuits and sealed components for minimizing the possibility of ignitions. The equipment has been categorized based on risk in the environment with levels such as Zone 0 Zone 1 and Zone 2 for gases and Zones 20, 21, and 22 for dusts that define the level of protection needed.

Prevent equipment failure which may result in an explosion or fire is one of the main objectives of hazardous area electrical maintenance. Electrical systems that malfunction in hazardous areas are among the main causes of such incidents as sparks or short circuits that ignite gases or dusts. Routine inspection to detect early signs of wear such as damaged cables loose connections or faulty seals is essential. The integrity of explosion proof enclosures should also be verified to ensure that they have not been compromised. Work on electrical systems in those areas should only be allowed to be performed by a qualified person who has specific training for working in hazardous areas. Such persons must be abreast of safety procedures and legislation to ensure that any maintenance done is safe.The most hazardous area electrical maintenance involves not only making sure things are safe but also achieving optimisation of electrical systems. Good maintenance helps determine potential faults and thus allowing companies to better prepare for such repairs or even upgrading in time. Hazardous area electrical maintenance continues to advance technologically and today it covers new state-of-the-art innovations that emphasize safety and efficiency. Many modern diagnostic tools and monitoring systems track the electrical systems real-time can alert personnel in the event of probable maintenance before critical situations arise and will report changes in temperature pressure.In addition to ensuring the operations comply with the regulations, and that the process is efficient and hazardous area electrical maintenance protects the environment. A lot of environmental damage including emission of toxic gases and chemicals will be caused if an explosion or fire, due to faulty electrical equipment, occurs in the hazardous area. In the bid to avoid causing environmental degradation and increasing the sustainability, companies should make sure electrical systems are in good conditions andthe system is working at safety levels. Proper maintenance of electrical systems saves energy as equipment will function optimally with no wastage of excess power. Please visit bselectrical.com.au for more information.