Cost benefits of LED luminaires in Ex environments

New technologies are being established in the fi eld of lighting - in particular, the use of LEDs is becoming much more common. It is very important to analyse and know the possible failure modes of LED sources in order to design reliable and safe lighting fi xtures. This is particularly true in relation to the use of LED lighting equipment in potentially explosive atmospheres that require quite complex safety systems to avoid igniting dangerous gases, vapours and dust. At present, ATEX Standards do not adequately cover LED luminaires, whether white or coloured. Therefore, these sources are often used as traditional light sources (incandescent, discharge, induction). The safety of such equipment is entrusted exclusively to the mechanical strength of the casing and not the internal electrical equipment.