Balancing Safety and Innovation: a Critical Examination of IEC TS 60079 – 48 Guidelines for Portable Electronics in Explosive Zones

The use of portable or personal electronic equipment (PEP) in hazardous areas, such as those where explosive atmospheres may occur, poses a challenge to safety and compliance. Such equipment may include smartphones, tablets, laptops, cameras, and wearable devices. While some PEPs may be certified for use in hazardous areas, others may not have a certificate or may not meet the required Equipment Protection Level (EPL) for the specific zone. In such cases, the owner or operator of the PEP needs to follow some guidelines to ensure the safe and appropriate use of the equipment. The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) has published a Technical Specification, IEC TS 60079-48 (Explosive Atmosphere – Part 48, 2023), to guide the use of PEP without a certificate for use in hazardous areas requiring EPL Gb, Gc, Db, or Dc. This document covers the general requirements, administrative controls, and drop tests for PEP, as well as some examples of equipment that could be assigned a PEP. This paper provides an overview and analysis of the new Technical Specification IEC TS 60079-48, published in December 2023, which outlines recommended practices for the use of portable electronic devices in potentially explosive atmospheres, especially in Zones 2 and 22 (ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU). The document emphasizes the importance of using ATEX-certified devices but acknowledges situations where non-certified devices may be permissible, subject to a rigorous risk assessment. The paper also highlights challenges in proving that certain devices, even if non-certified, cannot become ignition sources through technical and organizational measures. It critiques the conservative approach of the specification in classifying electrical devices compared to other ignition sources. The new Technical Specification offers a standardized basis for risk assessments, aligning with existing regulations. However, the stringent rules for electrical devices pose challenges, and the paper suggests collaborative assessments among operators for frequently used PEP devices. The aim of this work, as mentioned in the text, is to guide operators in evaluating specific devices and developing internal organizational measures.