IEC 60079-19:2025

Overview

IEC 60079-19:2025 - Explosive atmospheres - Part 19: Equipment repair, overhaul and reclamation - is the fifth edition (2025) of the international guidance for service facilities that overhaul, repair or reclaim Ex Equipment used in hazardous areas where the risk is explosive atmospheres. This edition replaces IEC 60079-19:2019 and constitutes a technical revision. It focuses on service-related factors for mitigating deficiencies found during operation, inspection and maintenance of Ex Equipment and clarifies interpretation through IEC interpretation sheets (available from the IEC webstore).

Key topics and requirements

The standard addresses practical, service-level aspects rather than original design certification. Major topics include:

• General principles and status after repair - guidance on documentation, schedule/related drawings, and evaluation when equipment is repaired to standards or via expert/user evaluation.
• Service facility controls - statutory considerations, quality control of overhaul/repair/reclamation, records, work instructions, markings and documentation.
• Spare parts, temporary repairs and reclamation - procedures for mechanical, electrical winding and electrical machine reclamations, including converter-fed machines and variable speed drives.
• Component- and protection-specific requirements - additional requirements and repair guidance for Types of Protection such as **"d" (flameproof), "i" (intrinsic safety), "p" (pressurized), "e"/"eb" (increased safety), "nA"/"ec", and "t" (protection by enclosures/solid insulation). Topics include enclosures, cable glands, terminations, internal wiring, transformers, printed circuit boards, encapsulated components and breathing/pressurization systems.
• Alterations and modifications - criteria for acceptable alterations, marking of overhauled equipment and instructions for re‑installation.
• Special equipment - auxiliary devices, control equipment, ballasts and enclosed break devices.

Note: IEC 60079-19:2025 does not cover cable/wiring renewal advice on re‑installation, repair/overhaul of Type "m", Ex Components, nor requirements for manufacturers overhauling their own products.

Applications and users

IEC 60079-19:2025 is intended for:

• Service facilities and repair shops working on Ex Equipment from oil & gas, chemical, pharmaceutical, mining and other hazardous industries.
• Maintenance engineers and technicians executing overhauls, reclamations and repairs to maintain safe operation in explosive atmospheres.
• Inspection bodies and plant safety managers who assess post-repair status, documentation and conformity for re‑installation.
• Third‑party assessors and certification bodies referencing service-level controls and records.

Practical benefits include safer re‑installation, preserved explosion protection after repair, consistent documentation and clearer decisions on reclaim versus replace.

Related standards

• IEC 60079 series (explosive atmospheres) - consult other Parts for design, testing and protection types.
• IEC 60079-26 - referenced for equipment covered by that part (see specific clause in this standard).

Keywords: IEC 60079-19:2025, explosive atmospheres, Ex Equipment repair, overhaul, reclamation, hazardous areas, Type of Protection, service facility requirements.