Episodes
Episode 14
DSEAR Regulations UK
The UK’s Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002. How DSEAR implements the EU Workplace Directive in the UK, employer duties, risk assessment, hazardous area classification, the Explosion Protection Document, and post-Brexit status.
10 min 38 sec
Episode 13
NEC 500/505 vs ATEX/IECEx
Comparing North American and international hazardous area classification systems. Division 1/2 vs Zones 0/1/2, gas group conversions, protection method equivalents, equipment marking differences, and cross-certification challenges.
9 min 1 sec
Episode 12
The ATEX Directive
ATEX is actually two directives: 2014/34/EU (product) and 1999/92/EC (workplace). Equipment categories I–III, conformity assessment modules, notified bodies, CE marking, and national implementation across EU member states.
11 min 36 sec
Episode 11
Installation and Inspection
IEC 60079-14 (installation) and IEC 60079-17 (inspection). Competency requirements, cable gland selection, wiring practices, three inspection types, inspection grades, common mistakes, and why maintenance is where most failures occur.
11 min 44 sec
Episode 10
The Ex Certification Process
How Ex equipment goes from prototype to certified product. Technical documentation, notified body selection, type examination, QAN for manufacturing, factory audits, and differences between ATEX and IECEx certification paths.
11 min 13 sec
Episode 9
Fundamentals of Explosion Protection
The full picture: fire triangle, 13 recognized ignition sources in IEC 60079-0, and the two-level approach of preventing flammable atmospheres and controlling ignition sources. Connects zones, protection methods, gas groups, temperature classes, and EPL.
9 min 55 sec
Episode 8
Ex Standards Overview
The IEC 60079 series: 60079-0 (general), 60079-1 (flameproof), 60079-7 (increased safety), 60079-11 (intrinsic safety), 60079-14 (installation), 60079-17 (inspection), and more. How standards, directives, and certification schemes relate.
8 min 30 sec
Episode 7
Reading Ex Markings
How to decode Ex-certified product markings: the Ex symbol, protection method codes, gas group (IIA/IIB/IIC), temperature class (T1–T6), and EPL (Ga/Gb/Gc). Real-world examples, combined methods, dust markings, and ATEX vs IECEx format differences.
8 min 25 sec
Episode 6
Equipment Protection Levels (EPL)
Ga/Gb/Gc for gas, Da/Db/Dc for dust, Ma/Mb for mining. How EPL maps to zones, which protection methods qualify for each level, and why EPL simplifies equipment selection across different protection concepts.
6 min 44 sec
Episode 5
ATEX vs IECEx
Head-to-head comparison of the two major certification frameworks. Legal status, certificate differences, mutual recognition, geographic acceptance, and guidance on which certification to pursue for your target markets.
7 min 3 sec
Episode 4
Temperature Classes T1–T6
Maximum surface temperature ratings for Ex equipment. T1–T6 for gases, dust temperature limits using cloud and layer ignition temperatures, common gases and their T-classes, the carbon disulfide paradox, and practical factors.
8 min 7 sec
Episode 3
Gas Groups IIA, IIB, IIC and Dust Groups Explained
How flammable gases and dusts are classified into groups based on ignition properties. MESG, MIC ratio, the IIA/IIB/IIC hierarchy, hydrogen as a special case, and dust groups IIIA/IIIB/IIIC.
7 min 17 sec
Episode 2
Protection Methods: Ex d, Ex e, Ex i, Ex p Explained
How explosion protection methods work. Flameproof enclosures, increased safety, intrinsic safety, pressurization, and more. Engineering principles, sub-levels, and practical combinations.
7 min 56 sec
Episode 1
Zone Classification: Zones 0, 1, 2, 20, 21, 22
How hazardous areas are classified into zones based on the probability and duration of explosive atmospheres. Gas zones, dust zones, EPL mapping, ventilation effects, and common mistakes.
6 min 30 sec
Trailer
Introduction: What is ExKnowledge?
What ExKnowledge is, why it exists, and what the podcast covers. Sources, format, target audience, and a preview of upcoming topics.
2 min 42 sec
About the podcast
ExKnowledge started as a free online reference covering 23 explosion protection topics in 11 languages. The podcast takes that same material and puts it in audio form. Each episode covers one topic in enough depth to be useful without reading the standard word by word.
All content is based on the IEC 60079 standard series, ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU, and IECEx operational documents. Episodes are 10 to 15 minutes each. No guests, no banter, just the technical content explained clearly.
For engineers working in oil and gas, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, mining, and food processing. Also for technical sales, HSE professionals, and anyone preparing for CompEx certification.