Intrinsically safe equipment is defined as "equipment and wiring which is incapable of releasing sufficient electrical or thermal energy under normal or abnormal conditions to cause ignition of a specific hazardous atmospheric mixture in its most easily ignited concentration." (ISA-RP12.6)
IS products are designed to preclude the possibility of sparks being generated by high electric fields, intermittent electrical connections (e.g. when changing a battery or when dropped) etc. Intrinsically safe radio is intended specifically for use in hazardous environments, such as oil refineries, chemical plants, and flour mills etc where inflammable gases or explosive dust may be present.
With the introduction of the ATEX Directive (94/9/EC) in July of 2003 it became mandatory for all equipment designed for use in hazardous environments within the European Community to meet the new ATEX standard.
