The spark test apparatus can be used to inspect whether there are any sparks with sufficient energy within a given circuit to ignite the surrounding explosive environment present. This test is intended to analyse whether, during operation, the tested equipment has the capacity to cause any sparks or arcing that would – under the given conditions – set off an explosion of the standard-specified gas mixture inside the given chamber.
The apparatus includes an integrated gas mixer, which generates the gas compound necessary for testing and calibration subject to high accuracy. The actual measurement process is supplemented with the post-test ventilation of the chamber, intended to extract the unnecessary combustion products.

Every element required for the device to operate is combined in a single compact apparatus. Two conditions must be met for the unit to operate: The appropriate inflow and extraction of the gas mixture required for the test, and energizing the apparatus.
The unit that produces the test gas mixture is connected to the spark test apparatus as a module, so that it can be inserted and removed.
The measurement process is initiated at the press of a single button, and the unit runs the test, evaluates the generated results, and continues to next steps – e.g. conducts a calibration check – according to those, all in automatic mode. The calibration unit generates calibration currents per safety factors 1.0 and 1.5.
The 60079 series standards cover the protection of equipment used in potentially explosive atmospheres and include the precise specifications for their design.
Technical parameters
- Computer-aided automatic operation
- Control MMI: keyboard, mouse
- Gas connections: FESTO Ø 8mm and Ø 10mm
- Input pressure: Gas – 1bar
- Air – 1bar
- Gas mixture accuracy: 1–99% by vol., ± 0.1% by vol.
- Power connection: 230VAC 50Hz
Input electrical parameters
- Input resistance
- Input inductivity
- Input capacitance
- Breakdown voltage
Certified against the IEC 60079-11 standard.