Hi,

If the magnet is properly rated for this application then there should not be a real hazard. Tha rea above the belt in a coal conveyor would have to be a Zone 20 application - that is that flammable dust would be present in combustible quantities on a regular basis. All electrical equipment for this area would have to conform to ATEX or IEC standards for the zoning. The old Class 1 Zone 1 type equipment would be the type used.

If the magnet is not suitably rated then it would present a hazard. ■

BS EN 1127-1 6.3.3 Zones for dusts.

Zone 20

"A place in which an explosive atmosphere in the form of a cloud of combustible dust in air is present continuously, or for long periods or frequently"

How many belt conveyors have you actually seen with an explosive concentration of dust hanging over them?

I NEVER have!!

How many measurements of dust concentrations around belt conveyors, even at transfer points have you made?

I have taken measurements, and they were WELL BELOW the explosive concentration!

Perhaps others would like to add the observations that they have seen, and measurements they have taken. ■

Measurements aside: I have been in meetings where the same Contractor has assured me that a downspout from a sampling point, taking coal to the ground level carousel 30 m below, was not an explosion risk whereas the discharge from the end of the bucket wheel boom constituted an explosive area. I mean!

Just nod & sleep when the boffins get going; its all we can do.

Much of this legislative garbage is rooted in 'security' along the lines of those charming people at the airports. The world was a much safer place until they came along. It was!! Pit Deputies blasted (no pun) anything that was remotely unsafe etc etc.

Giving capitalism free reign has necessitated the safety legislation that was previously automatically available & thus spawned a job creation scheme for the otherwise unemployables.

I wonder if all the lubricants & hydraulic fluids on the delivery trucks are non-flammable. ■