CEAG Atex-Rated Enclosures Protect MCI's Products

MCI Electrotechnics is using a range of explosion-proof enclosures from Cooper Crouse-Hinds (CEAG) to protect electrical equipment for offshore and onshore oil, gas and petrochemical applications. MCI manufactures, installs and commissions custom control panels and electrical equipment for hazardous and non-hazardous environments around the world, including the North Sea, Middle East and south-east Asia. MCI supplies a diverse range of electrical-control systems, including motor-control centres (MCCs), junction boxes, motor starters, control panels, distribution boards and CPFG (combined pressure fire and gas) panels.

On the hazardous-area side of the business, MCI offers customers two main types of explosion-proof enclosure for its products: a moulded plastic (GRP) EEx de version, as well as a range of metal (aluminium / cast iron) Ex d enclosures. All of these enclosures are supplied by Cooper Crouse-Hinds. Using the CEAG-moulded plastic Ex de enclosure, MCI assembles and mounts a variety of flameproof-encapsulated components, such as fuses, contactors, lamps, MCBs, switches and meters.

These impact-resistant GRP enclosures increase component protection. Built-up units include Ex distribution boards, control stations and motor starters, all supplied to European standards EN 50014 and EN 50018. The systems are Atex-certified for use in Zone 1, Zone 2, Zone 21 and Zone 22. MCI also uses aluminium / cast iron CEAG explosion-proof enclosures for use with control panels, starters, junction boxes, MCCs, distribution boards and CPFG panels. MCI offers three versions of CFPG panels for A60 class modules, battery isolators and temporary power units.

These Atex-certified systems are suitable for use in Gas Group IIB installations, Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas, fulfilling the requirements of EN 50014 and EN 50018. Ian McIntosh, managing director of MCI, said: 'We began using CEAG explosion-proof enclosures around 10 years ago. 'In that time, the enclosures have proved very reliable. 'We've probably only had to reject one or two units in the past 10 years, which is pretty impressive.

'For MCI and its customers, it is absolutely critical that the enclosures are reliable because we need to guarantee the safety of our products and help to minimise any downtime for the customer caused by faulty, unsafe equipment. 'CEAG enclosures are designed and manufactured to a high quality and the service and technical back up is also very reliable,' added McIntosh. 'Even our customers sometimes specify that we use CEAG enclosures,' he added. In late 2009, MCI supplied a motor-control centre for a drilling system to be delivered to an oil-and-gas exploration platform in the North Sea. The 10m long MCC panel was built in three sections, which in total use 52 separate explosion-proof enclosures.

All of the enclosures were Ex d certified and interconnected by using 'barrier assemblies'. The entire unit has Atex-assembly certification. The remainder of the project was the build of Ex de moulded plastic lighting distribution boards. All units were EEx d certified for Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas. Cooper Crouse-Hinds also offers other hazardous-area electrical equipment to IEC and NEC standards, as well as other international approvals for eastern Europe, China and North America.

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