IEC 60079-17 Explained: Inspection and Maintenance of Electrical Installations

Installing explosion-protected equipment correctly is only one part of maintaining safety in hazardous areas. Electrical equipment can deteriorate over time due to corrosion, vibration, environmental exposure, mechanical damage, or improper maintenance activities.

Even equipment that was originally installed in full compliance with IEC 60079-14 may eventually become unsafe if it is not inspected and maintained properly.

To address this risk, the explosion protection industry relies on IEC 60079-17 – Explosive Atmospheres – Electrical Installations Inspection and Maintenance.

IEC 60079-17 establishes the requirements for the ongoing inspection and maintenance of electrical installations in explosive atmospheres to ensure that the integrity of explosion protection is preserved throughout the operational life of the installation.

The standard is widely used by facility owners, maintenance organizations, inspection personnel, and regulatory authorities because it provides a systematic approach for identifying deficiencies before they develop into serious safety hazards.

This article explains what IEC 60079-17 is, why it is important, and the major requirements that engineers, inspectors, and maintenance personnel should understand.

Quick Answer

What Is IEC 60079-17?

IEC 60079-17 is the international standard that governs how explosion-protected electrical installations should be inspected and maintained after they have been placed into service.

The standard applies throughout the operational life of the installation and helps ensure that equipment continues to provide the intended level of protection against ignition hazards.

The standard covers:

• Initial inspections.
• Periodic inspections.
• Sample inspections.
• Maintenance activities.
• Inspection documentation.
• Competency requirements.
• Repair considerations.

IEC 60079-17 forms an essential part of the hazardous area lifecycle and works closely with IEC 60079-14 and IEC 60079-19.

Why Is IEC 60079-17 Important?

Explosion-protected equipment is often installed in harsh industrial environments where vibration, corrosion, moisture, dust, chemicals, and mechanical damage can gradually degrade equipment performance.

Common examples of deterioration include:

• Loose cable glands.
• Damaged flamepaths.
• Missing bolts.
• Corroded enclosures.
• Deteriorated gaskets.
• Improper modifications.
• Damaged cables.
• Missing identification markings.

If these deficiencies are not identified and corrected, the integrity of the explosion protection concept may be compromised.

IEC 60079-17 provides a structured approach for identifying and correcting these deficiencies before they result in hazardous conditions.

Who Uses IEC 60079-17?

The standard is widely used by organizations responsible for the operation and maintenance of hazardous area installations.

Typical users include:

• Facility owners and operators.
• Inspection personnel.
• Maintenance organizations.
• Reliability engineers.
• Electrical engineers.
• Instrumentation engineers.
• Third-party inspection companies.
• Regulatory authorities.

For many industries, compliance with IEC 60079-17 forms a critical part of process safety management and asset integrity programs.

Where Does IEC 60079-17 Fit in the Hazardous Area Lifecycle?

The hazardous area lifecycle can generally be summarized as:

1. Hazardous area classification.
2. Equipment selection.
3. Installation.
4. Inspection and maintenance.
5. Repair and overhaul.

IEC 60079-17 governs the fourth stage of this lifecycle and ensures that installations remain safe during many years of operation.