Glossary · Process instrumentation and analytical measurement
Intrinsic safety
Also known as: IS
German: Eigensicherheit
In explosion protection, intrinsic safety is a type of protection based on restricting the electrical energy in equipment and interconnecting wiring exposed to an explosive atmosphere to a level below that which can cause ignition by sparking or heating effects.
- Process instrumentation
- Standards
- Process industry
In one sentence
Intrinsic safety is an explosion protection concept that limits electrical energy so that neither sparks nor heat can ignite an explosive atmosphere.
Example
Level switches in a solvent tank are connected in intrinsically safe circuits, so technicians can work on the field wiring under defined conditions.
How it applies
- Engineering: Intrinsic safety applies to the whole system: field device, associated apparatus (barrier or isolator) and cables. Entity parameters such as maximum voltage, current, power, capacitance and inductance must match between devices.
- Installation: Intrinsically safe circuits are separated from other circuits and usually marked, often in light blue. IEC 60079-14 covers selection and installation.
- Safety: Intrinsic safety protects against ignition of an explosive atmosphere. It does not by itself make a process safe, and it is not the same as functional safety.
- Documentation: Keep the intrinsic safety assessment for each loop and the device certificates. Maintenance instructions must say that only certified replacement parts may be used.
Intrinsic safety vs. functional safety
Intrinsic safety prevents electrical equipment from igniting an explosive atmosphere. Functional safety concerns the correct functioning of safety-related control systems. A device can meet one without the other.