STANDARDS UPDATE NOTICE (SUN)

ISSUED: November 10, 2021

STANDARD INFORMATION
Standard: UL 1203
Standard ID: Explosion-Proof and Dust-Ignition-Proof Electrical Equipment for Use in Hazardous
(Classified) Locations [UL 1203:2013 Ed.5+R:30Jan2020]
Previous Standard ID: Explosion-Proof and Dust-Ignition-Proof Electrical Equipment for use in
Hazardous (Classified) Locations [UL 1203:2013 Ed.5+R:16Apr2019]

EFFECTIVE DATE OF NEW/REVISED REQUIREMENTS

Effective Date: July 31, 2022

IMPACT, OVERVIEW, AND ACTION REQUIRED

Impact Statement: Per our accreditation, Intertek is required to review reports against the standard
revisions to confirm compliance. Once compliance is confirmed, the standard reference in the report is
updated to show continued compliance to the technical requirements of the standard.

Overview of Changes: Explosion testing with test factors using precompression explosion testing
equipment. Specific details of new/revised requirements are found in table below.

Current Listings Not Active? – Please immediately identify any current Listing Reports or products that are no
longer active and should be removed from our records. We will do this at no charge as long as Intertek is
notified in writing prior to the review of your reports.

SFT-ETL-OP-29c (January 22, 2018) Standards Update Notice KR/BF Page 1 of 5

 STANDARD INFORMATION

CLAUSE VERDICT COMMENT

Additions to existing requirements are underlined and deletions are shown lined out
below.

21 info Explosion Tests

For explosion-proof equipment specified and marked for use at ambient
temperatures lower than minus 25°C (minus 13°F), the explosion tests shall be
determined by one of the following methods:

a) For explosion-proof equipment specified and marked for use at ambient

temperatures lower than minus 25° C (minus 13° F), the explosion tests shall be
performed at the minimum ambient specified, ±5°C (±9°F) degrees. When the
ambient specified is such that common materials within the Group are not
flammable, a test temperature shall be specified that represents the minimum
temperature at which the test gasses shown in Table 21.3 remain gasses, or

b) For equipment for use in Group C or D classified locations, rated not less than
minus 60° C (minus 76°F), not subject to pressure piling, and determined to comply
with the flame propagation requirements in 21.3(b), the equipment shall
21.29 alternatively be subjected to the hydrostatic pressure test using the test factors for
low ambient rated equipment found in Table 22.1, based upon room ambient
explosion pressure tests, or

c) The reference pressure shall be determined at room ambient temperature using

the defined test mixture (s), but at increased pressure. The absolute pressure of the
test mixture (P) shall be calculated by the following formula, using Ta in °C:

293
𝑃 = 100 (𝑘𝑃𝑎)
𝑇 𝑚𝑖𝑛 + 273

Or

293
𝑃 = 14.6959 (𝑝𝑠𝑖)
𝑇 min + 27 3

Page 2 of 5
SFT-ETL-OP-29c (January 22, 2018)
 CLAUSE VERDICT COMMENT
New clause added;

For explosion-proof equipment specified and marked for use at ambient

temperatures greater than 60°C (140°F), in addition to the tests of 21.29, flame
propagation tests shall be conducted under one of the following conditions:

a) At a temperature not less than the specified maximum ambient temperature; or

21.29A
b) At normal ambient temperature using the defined test mixture at increased
pressure according to the factors in Table 21.3A; or
c) At normal atmospheric pressure and temperature, but with the test gap
increased by the factors noted in Table 21.3A.

These tests are in addition to the explosion tests required to determine compliance
with 21.2 and 21.3(a).
New clause added;

All test sample joints are to be based upon the manufacturers maximum specified
gap and tested with not less than 115% of the minimum specified joint length.
21.29B Specially prepared test samples having modified joint lengths, gaps and
engagements shall be employed. For Groups A, B, or A and B, test factors per 21.23
and 21.26 are also required to be introduced into the test pressure or test gap in
addition to the test factors above by multiplying the test factor of 21.23 or 21.26,
as applicable, by the test factor of Table 21.3A.
New section added;
22A
Dynamic Pressure Test
For explosionproof enclosures not subject to pressure piling and intended for
routine testing during production, the Dynamic Pressure Test shall be permitted as
22A.1 an alternative to the Hydrostatic Pressure Test. The dynamic tests shall be carried
out in such a way that the maximum pressure to which the enclosure is subjected is
1,5 times the reference pressure.
The test shall be made once except for Group A or Group B, in which case the test
shall be made three times with each gas mixture as follows:

22A.2 – Group D: 4,6 ± 0,3 % propane

– Group C: 8 ± 0,5 % ethylene
– Group B: 31 ± 1 % hydrogen
– Group A: 14 ± 1 % acetylene
Following the test, there shall be no permanent deformation or damage and joints
22A.3
shall not be permanently enlarged.

Page 3 of 5
SFT-ETL-OP-29c (January 22, 2018)
 CLAUSE VERDICT COMMENT
Supplement ALTERNATIVE EXPLOSION TESTS
Info
SB
SB1 Info Explosion Tests
For explosion-proof equipment specified and marked for use at ambient
temperatures lower than minus 25° C (minus 13° F), the explosion tests shall be
performed determined by one of the following methods:

a) For explosion-proof equipment specified and marked for use at ambient

temperatures lower than minus 25° C (minus 13° F), the explosion tests shall be
performed at the minimum ambient specified, ±5°C (±9°F) degrees. When the
ambient specified is such that common materials within the Group are not
flammable, a test temperature shall be specified that represents the minimum
temperature at which the test gasses shown in Table SB1.3 remain gasses; or
b) For equipment for use in Group C or D classified locations, rated not less than
minus 60° C (minus 76°F), not subject to pressure piling, and determined to comply
with the flame propagation requirements in SB1.3 (a), the equipment shall
SB1.29 alternatively be subjected to the hydrostatic pressure test using the test factors for
low ambient rated equipment found in Table 22.1, based upon room ambient
explosion pressure tests; or
c) The reference pressure shall be determined at normal ambient temperature
using the defined test mixture(s), but at increased pressure. The absolute pressure
of the test mixture (P) shall be calculated by the following formula, using Ta in °C:

293
𝑃 = 100 (𝑘𝑃𝑎)
𝑇 min + 273

Or

293
𝑃 = 14.6959 (𝑝𝑠𝑖)
𝑇 min + 273
New clause added;

For explosion-proof equipment specified and marked for use at ambient

temperatures greater than 60°C (140°F), flame propagation tests shall be
conducted under one of the following conditions:

1) At a temperature not less than the specified maximum ambient temperature; or

SB1.29A
2) At normal ambient temperature using the defined test mixture at increased
pressure according to the factors in Table SB1.6; or
3) At normal atmospheric pressure and temperature, but with the test gap
increased by the factors noted in Table SB1.6.

These tests are in addition to the explosion tests required to determine compliance
with SB1.2 and SB1.3(a).
Page 4 of 5
SFT-ETL-OP-29c (January 22, 2018)
 CLAUSE VERDICT COMMENT
All test sample are to be based upon the manufacturers maximum specified gap
and tested with not less than 115% of the minimum specified joint length. Specially
prepared test samples having modified joint lengths, gaps and engagements shall
be employed.
SB1.29B
For Groups A, B, or A and B, test factors per SB1.23 and SB1.26 are also required to
be introduced into the test pressure or test gap in addition to the test factors
above by multiplying the test factor of 21.23 or 21.26, as applicable, by the test
factor of Table SB1.6.

Page 5 of 5
SFT-ETL-OP-29c (January 22, 2018)