News | July 14, 1998

ISA Publishes New Electrical Code Standards

ISA, the international society for measurement and control, recently approved a set of standards to reflect changes in the National Electrical Code (NEC 1996) and the Canadian Electrical Code (CEC 1998). The ISA SP12 series specifies general and specific requirements for construction, testing and marking of electrical apparatus in various hazardous locations.

The ISA SP12 series contains design application and testing specifications relevant to the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) methods of classification. These standards are the basis for National Recognized Testing Laboratories (NRTL) approval and recognition of products used in Zone Classified areas.

Based on IEC 79-0 publication series, these standards harmonize with National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) and IEC criteria to provide an array of new options for design engineers to more economically provide electrical products for hazardous areas.

The available ISA standards are:

  • ISA-S12.0.01 (IEC 79-0 MOD), Electrical Apparatus for Use in Class I, Zones 0 and 1 Hazardous (Classified) Locations: General Requirements

  • ISA-S12.16.01 (IEC 79-7 MOD), Electrical Apparatus for Use in Class I, Zones 1 and 2 Hazardous (Classified) Locations: Type of Protection - Increased Safety "e"

  • ISA-S12.22.01 (IEC 79-1 MOD), Electrical Apparatus for Use in Class I, Zone 1 Hazardous (Classified) Locations: Type of Protection - Flameproof "d"

  • ISA-S12.23.01 (IEC 79-18 MOD), Electrical Apparatus for Use in Class I, Zones 1 Hazardous (Classified) Locations: Type of Protection - Encapsulation "m"

  • ISA-RP12.24.01 (IEC 79-10 MOD), Recommeded Practice for Classified Locations for Electrical Installations Classified as Class I, Zone 0, Zone 1, or Zone 2

  • ISA-S12.25.01 (IEC 79-5 MOD), Electrical Apparatus for Use in Class I, Zone 1 Hazardous (Classified) Locations: Type of Protection - Power Filling "q"

  • ISA-S12.26.01 (IEC 79-6 MOD), Electrical Apparatus for Use in Class I, Zone 1 Hazardous (Classified) Locations: Type of Protection - Oil Immersion "o"

For more information on ISA's standards and practices, visit ISA's website at http://www.isa.org. To order a standard, or to request a free copy of the 1998 ISA Standards and Practices Catalog, call ISA Member and Customer Service at 919-549-8411.

The society is a 47,000-member international, nonprofit, educational organization. Its purpose is to advance the theory, design, manufacture, and use of instruments, computers, and systems for measurement.