EX INSPECTION & CABLE GLAND SERVICES
Hazardous Area Technical Support with CompEx Ex01–Ex04 Competence
We provide installation, inspection, maintenance and pre-commissioning verification services for electrical and instrumentation systems in areas where explosive gas or vapour atmospheres may occur.
Supporting oil and gas, petrochemical, refinery, energy and industrial projects, our CompEx Ex01–Ex04 certified personnel help assess equipment suitability, verify installation quality, identify non-conformities and prepare the technical records required to support safe operation.
OUR COMPEX EX01–EX04 SERVICE SCOPE
Ex01 — Preparation and Installation of Non-Intrinsically Safe Ex Equipment
We support the installation of Ex electrical and instrumentation equipment in accordance with approved project documents, equipment certificates and manufacturer instructions. Our scope includes cable preparation, cable gland installation, cable termination, terminal connections and earthing.
Ex02 — Inspection and Maintenance of Non-Intrinsically Safe Ex Equipment
We inspect installation defects, mechanical damage, loose connections, corrosion and sealing issues that may affect the equipment’s explosion protection. Findings are documented to support maintenance, rectification and reinspection.
Ex03 — Preparation and Installation of Intrinsically Safe Ex i Systems
We support the installation of field devices, barriers, galvanic isolators, cables and terminal connections in accordance with approved system documentation. Checks include circuit segregation, identification, screening and earthing arrangements.
Ex04 — Inspection and Maintenance of Intrinsically Safe Ex i Systems
We compare installed Ex i circuits against system drawings and verification records. Our inspections identify discrepancies in device and barrier combinations, connections, cable routing, segregation and earthing, with follow-up support through rectification.
HAZARDOUS AREA INSPECTION SERVICES
We provide inspections for new installations, plant extensions, equipment replacements, shutdowns and operating facilities.
- Initial inspection: Ex installation checks following completion and before energisation or entry into service.
- Periodic inspection: Planned inspections considering operating conditions, environmental exposure and previous findings.
- Visual inspection: Assessment of defects apparent externally without opening equipment enclosures.
- Close inspection: Additional external checks that may require access equipment or hand tools.
- Detailed inspection: Examination that may include opening enclosures and appropriate testing, subject to permits and safe isolation.
The inspection grade and scope are selected according to the protection technique, site conditions and applicable requirements.
EQUIPMENT AND INSTALLATION CHECKS
Our scope may include Ex motors, junction boxes, local control stations, lighting fixtures, plugs and sockets, isolators, instruments, solenoid valves and associated field equipment.
Typical checks include:
- Verification of equipment nameplates, tag numbers and Ex markings.
- Review of suitability for the specified zone, equipment protection level — EPL, gas group, temperature class and ambient temperature.
- Review of ATEX/IECEx certificates and any special conditions of use identified by an “X” suffix.
- Examination of enclosures, covers, fasteners, seals and cable entries.
- Assessment of Ex d flamepaths, cover fixings and threaded joints against manufacturer requirements.
- Checks of Ex e terminals, connection arrangements and required clearances.
- Inspection of earthing, bonding, cable support and mechanical protection.
- Identification of water ingress, corrosion, vibration damage and unauthorised modifications.
EX CABLE GLAND SERVICES
Cable glands are important to the protection integrity of Ex equipment. We assess gland selection, installation and inspection requirements by considering the equipment protection technique, cable construction, certificate conditions and manufacturer instructions together.
Selection and document verification:
- Verification of the gland’s Ex protection marking and intended application.
- Comparison of cable outer diameter, inner bedding diameter where applicable, and armour dimensions against the gland’s certified clamping ranges.
- Assessment of suitable gland types for armoured and unarmoured cables.
- Verification of metric or NPT entry thread type, size and compatibility.
- Review of ambient temperature limits, IP rating, material suitability and corrosion resistance.
- Assessment of adapters, reducers, stopping plugs, sealing washers and associated accessories.
Installation and workmanship checks:
- Verification of cable preparation and stripping dimensions against manufacturer instructions.
- Inspection for damage to cable sheaths, insulation and conductors.
- Verification of correct armour positioning and clamping.
- Checks that inner and outer seals engage the intended cable surfaces.
- Application of the manufacturer’s specified tightening method, torque or number of turns.
- Verification of the gland-to-enclosure connection and required earth continuity.
- Assessment of cable bending radius, support and mechanical loading on the gland.
Compound/barrier gland applications:
We assess whether barrier glands are required by reviewing the applicable standard, equipment certificate, cable characteristics and entry arrangement. Where required, our scope includes checks of conductor preparation, approved compound selection, void-free filling, curing conditions and installation records.
Final inspection and rectification:
We document findings such as incorrect gland selection, cable diameters outside the approved range, inadequate armour clamping, damaged seals, loose connections and unsuitable stopping plugs. Following corrective work, we provide reinspection and close-out records.
TESTING, REPORTING AND HANDOVER DOCUMENTATION
Depending on the agreed scope and equipment characteristics, we support protective conductor continuity checks, earthing verification, appropriate insulation resistance testing and circuit verification. Test methods, equipment connections and test voltages are assessed in advance for sensitive electronics and Ex i circuits.
Deliverables may include:
- Ex equipment registers and tag lists.
- Equipment-specific inspection checklists and photographic reports.
- Cable gland inspection records.
- Defect registers, punch lists and NCR records where included in the scope.
- Corrective action tracking and reinspection reports.
- Certificate and technical documentation review registers.
- Ex inspection records for Mechanical Completion and handover dossiers.
SPECIALIST PERSONNEL SUPPORT FOR YOUR PROJECT
We provide CompEx Ex01–Ex04 certified electrical and instrumentation personnel for short-term and long-term site assignments, shutdowns, construction and commissioning projects.
Work is carried out against the applicable project requirements of IEC/EN 60079-14 and IEC/EN 60079-17, approved procedures and manufacturer instructions. The service scope and deliverables are agreed with the client at the start of each assignment.
Contact us to discuss your Ex inspection, cable gland installation and specialist personnel requirements.
