Along with rigid metal conduit there are a number of cable types which are approved for use in these hazardous locations.
Cable used in explosion proof wiring.
Imposes strict requirements for wiring methods in these locations.
Flameproof explosion proof protection methods.
The permissible wiring methods are selected by the code making panel with safety being the most critical consideration.
Keep this in mind as you choose sensors and establish.
As you might suspect explosion proof wiring is typically much more expensive than intrinsically safe wiring.
So cable glands and seals may need to be considered but they are of lighter construction as they are not required to cool exploding gases only to prevent the flow of gases.
Ex ia ex ib intrinsically safe cable glands designed in such a way that the energy of any spark is lower than that can ignite a flammable mixture.
Explosion proof seals 0 fiber optic seals 1 hermetic wire feedthrough 1 high current feedthrough 0 non hermetic seals 0 stock items 15 terminal seals 0 thermocouple vacuum feedthrough 0 vacuum cable feedthrough 0 wire cable seals 3.
Ia is designed to a higher integrity and can be used in zone 0 hazardous area locations whereas ib is only suitable for zone 1 2 locations.
In europe and elsewhere suitably rated cable is connected directly to the equipment using certified flame proof cable glands.