_______ in electrical area classifications are based upon the likelihood of the presence of a flammable mixture of materials located in the area.

_______ in electrical area classifications are based upon the likelihood of the presence of a flammable mixture of materials located in the area.

• A. Zones
• B. Classes
• C. Divisions
• D. Areas

Answer: (C)

Divisions describe how likely it is that a flammable atmosphere will be present in a given area. In the North American system, Division 1 means the flammable mixture is present under normal operating conditions, while Division 2 means it isn’t normally present but could occur under abnormal conditions. This focus on the chance of a flammable atmosphere being present is exactly what the question is asking about. Zones (the IEC approach) cover a similar idea but use a different terminology and emphasis, Class deals with the type of hazardous material, and “Areas” isn’t a formal hazardous-location classification term on its own.

Divisions describe how likely it is that a flammable atmosphere will be present in a given area. In the North American system, Division 1 means the flammable mixture is present under normal operating conditions, while Division 2 means it isn’t normally present but could occur under abnormal conditions. This focus on the chance of a flammable atmosphere being present is exactly what the question is asking about. Zones (the IEC approach) cover a similar idea but use a different terminology and emphasis, Class deals with the type of hazardous material, and “Areas” isn’t a formal hazardous-location classification term on its own.