Many customers are confused about the distinction between intrinsic safety certification and coal mine safety certification. Shenzhen STS Testing Technology Co., Ltd. (STS) will explain the two from the aspects of definition, application scenarios, and certification certificates.

Intrinsic safety certification, also known as intrinsic safety type explosion-proof certification, is a protection mode for equipment to achieve explosion-proof performance. It focuses primarily on the limitation of electrical energy in the circuits of electrical equipment. By restricting the energy in the circuits, it is ensured that the electric sparks or thermal effects generated by the equipment under normal operation or specified fault conditions cannot ignite the surrounding flammable and explosive environments. This certification method is widely used in low-power, low-energy instruments, meters, handheld terminals, and other similar products.

Coal mine safety certification, referred to as MA certification, is a unique safety mark certification in China that must be obtained by equipment and products used in coal mines. This certification system effectively prevents counterfeit and shoddy products from entering underground coal mines, thereby ensuring the safety of coal mine production. In the type inspection stage of MA certification, in addition to performance testing in accordance with industry standards, it is also necessary to consider the presence of flammable and explosive mixtures such as methane in the application environment, to ensure the safe use of equipment in underground coal mines. When considering the explosion-proof performance in coal mine methane environments, equipment can adopt the intrinsic safety protection mode based on its electrical parameters, product structure, and other conditions.

In short, intrinsic safety is a type of explosion-proof protection mode. In addition to intrinsic safety, there are other explosion-proof protection modes to achieve explosion-proof performance, such as flameproof type, encapsulation type, pressurized type, and increased safety type. Coal mine safety certification, on the other hand, is a product certification system for coal mine equipment. Electrical equipment used in coal mines can adopt the intrinsic safety mode or other explosion-proof protection modes to achieve explosion-proof performance.

In addition, although both coal mine safety certification (MA certification) and mine safety certification (KA certification) are unique safety certification systems for underground equipment in China, there are significant differences between them in terms of definition and testing requirements. MA certification is mainly applicable to equipment for underground coal mines, while KA certification is used for other metal or non-metal mines outside coal mines.

In summary, intrinsic safety certification and coal mine safety certification have obvious differences in certification purposes, application scopes, testing requirements, and other aspects. If you have any questions or needs regarding these two certification methods, please feel free to contact Shenzhen STS Testing Technology Co., Ltd. (STS), and we will serve you wholeheartedly.