Manufacturers developing electrical and electronic equipment for hazardous areas can now access an Intrinsic Safety team at NMi ExVeritas, with specialist engineering expertise and a dedicated laboratory
Intrinsic Safety (IS) is a protection concept that ensures electrical and electronic equipment cannot generate sufficient spark energy, thermal energy, or surface temperature to ignite a potentially explosive atmosphere, even in the event of malfunction.
The approach uses intrinsically safe electrical circuits designed to limit available voltage, current, power, and stored energy, meaning IS requirements can influence product design from an early stage.
Andrew Trounce, managing director at NMi ExVeritas, said, “NMi ExVeritas have been experts in IS testing and certification for several decades. As it becomes an increasingly critical requirement, we felt a focused team was the best way to provide clients with the dedicated support they need to create and certify safe products.”
Any electrical or electronic equipment can potentially create ignition through a spark, hot component or electrical fault. IS testing and certification support the assessment of equipment intended for use in industries where a build-up of gas or combustible dust can create a risk of explosion.
IS testing can help identfy potential issues before they become certification obstacles. Additionally, having testing and certification expertise in the same capability helps manufacturers navigate the assessment process more easily.
Paul Moss, head of Product Certification at NMi ExVeritas, said, “Our new dedicated team consists of five IS engineers with decades of experience in the industry and with NMi ExVeritas. We also have a dedicated test laboratory which enables our team to extensively test and certify products at our base in Wrexham, alongside our Certification Engineers for coordinated project delivery.”
The new IS team consists of engineers Anoop Chandrahasan, Jamie Bunnell, Kevin Spence, Ren Kitchener and Reza Bagherylooieh, who together have decades of experience in explosive atmosphere (Ex) certification.
As a National Certification Body (NCB), NMi ExVeritas is accredited to issue certifications, including UKCA Ex, ATEX, and IECEx, for customers worldwide.
In addition to product testing, NMi ExVeritas provides management system certification, explosive atmosphere safety training, site surveys, and all-in-one product audits for multiple safety standards.
Trounce added, “Often, the first step to intrinsic safety is the implications on the product’s design. From concept to production, our team are available to offer advice, provide formal consultancy, rigorously test products and deliver the certification needed.”
