Rosemount Flowmeters
Technical Note
January 2016
00840-0900-4021, Rev AA
Sealing Requirements for Flow Applications
1.1
Sealing requirements for electrical equipment
Sealing is a serious concern for industrial process control due to the nature of the hazardous
materials used in the process industry. The considerations for transmitter sealing are outlined
below:

For explosion-proof/flameproof approved transmitters, seals may be necessary to
prevent the propagation of flame through the cable or conduit system.

For transmitter sensors with wetted parts, additional sealing may be necessary to
prevent the process from entering the electrical system and migrating from hazardous
areas to safe or unclassified areas.
Most facilities have rules and regulations for sealing. In addition, there are national regulations
or standards that address sealing requirements. The most common are listed below:
1.2

NEC® 2014 Articles 501.15, 501.17, 502-15, 505.16, 505.26, and 506.16

CEC C22.1-12 Rule 18-072, 18-092, 18-108, 18-154, 18-204, and 18-254

IEC/EN 60079-14:2013 Clauses 5.9, 9.4, and 14.4

ANSI/API RP 14F Section 6.8.2.2
Flameproof/Explosion-proof seals
A flameproof/explosion-proof seal (commonly referred to as a conduit/cable seal) is installed at
the entry of electrical equipment to prevent flame propagation from one portion of the
electrical system to another. The seal is either a poured seal (potted) or a compression fitting.
Flameproof/explosion proof seals are required on all installations where conduit or cable passes
from one hazardous location to another or to a safe area. These seals are not designed to
contain process fluids and typically hold a maximum pressure of 6 inH2O (14.9 mbar) before
allowing process fluids to pass. A typical poured seal is shown below:
This type of sealing can also be incorporated into the equipment. Explosion-proof enclosures
that do not contain arcing, sparking or heat producing components may be approved and
marked “factory sealed” or equivalent. This type of enclosure does not require seals at the
conduit/cable entries. This is the case with most enclosures used for Rosemount™ products.
Review the product label or installation drawing for sealing requirements.
Rosemount Flowmeters
1.3
Technical Note
00840-0900-4021, Rev AA
January 2016
Process seals
A process seal prevents flammable process fluids from getting into the electrical system and
moving from a hazardous area to a non-hazardous area, such as a control room. Process seals
must be robust to withstand the pressure, temperature, corrosion and cyclic effects associated
with industrial processes. They must be considered for any installation where a flammable
process fluid is present. Thermowells and welded diaphragms are examples of process seals.
1.4
ANSI/ISA 12.27.01 Standard for process sealing
In 2000, user members of the ISA (International Society of Automation) SP12 committee
pushed for the development of a standard for process sealing of electrical equipment used in
hazardous locations that would allow the equipment to be exempted from the NEC process
sealing requirements. ANSI/ISA 12.27.01 was the result of this effort. This standard identifies
two sealing methods.
The first sealing method is to test and certify a single high integrity seal, referred to as single
seal. Testing includes temperature and fatigue testing of the seal, where it is subjected to
100,000 pressure cycles at worst case temperatures. Following this testing, the seal is subjected
to leakage and burst overpressure tests.
The second sealing method is to test and certify a multiple seal configuration, referred to as dual
seal. Refer to ANSI/ISA 12.27.01 for dual seal testing of devices with annunciation of the primary
seal failure.
Both methods provide adequate measures to prevent process fluid from entering into the
electrical system.
1.5
Flow process sealing compliance
1.5.1
Vortex flowmeters
All Rosemount 8800 Vortex Flowmeter meterbody designs incorporate high integrity seals
integral to the design. The following illustration identifies these components within the meter
body where the Vortex sensor is mounted.
2
Rosemount Flowmeters
Technical Note
Rosemount Flowmeters
00840-0900-4021, Rev AA
January 2016
Figure 1-1. Vortex Sensor Mounting
A
B
C
D
E
F
B
A. Sensor nut
B. Sensor
C. Metal O-ring
D. Secondary seal (silver plated alloy C-ring)
E. Meter
F. Primary seal (casting)
As shown above the primary seal is cast into the Vortex meterbody. The secondary seal is a
metal O-ring compressed onto the meterbody when the Vortex sensor is seated. The primary
seal is pressure rated to the process pressure of the meterbody.
Rosemount 8800 Vortex Flowmeters with FM or CSA approval are labeled “Factory Sealed” or
“Seal not required” for users in the United States and Canada. This is an indicator to installers
that separate process seals and explosion-proof seals (conduit seals) are not required. As is true
for all interpretations of the NEC and CEC, the final acceptance of the installation must be
obtained from the local authority having jurisdiction.
CSA International has certified the Rosemount 8800 Vortex Flowmeter to ANSI/ISA
12.27.01-2003. The associated markings are included on any CSA approved product.
1.5.2
Magnetic flowmeters
Magnetic flowmeters are used in applications with conductive process fluids. These fluids are
typically non-flammable and consequently do not require process sealing. For those situations
where the process does contain flammable fluids, the primary seal consists of the electrodes
and the liner material. If appropriate materials are selected that are compatible with the
process, this primary seal should not fail. However, if a secondary seal is required, the
Rosemount 8705 Magnetic Flowmeter Sensor offers coil housing configuration options where
the electrodes are housed in separate compartments, providing process containment should
the primary seal fail. An Alternate construction shown in Figure 1-2 and Figure 1-3 displays the
Rosemount 8705 Magnetic Flowmeter Sensor where a secondary seal is provided, if required, at
the flow tube adapter. In the alternate method the secondary seal would provide process
containment if the primary seal failed.
Rosemount Flowmeters
3
Technical Note
Rosemount Flowmeters
00840-0900-4021, Rev AA
January 2016
Figure 1-2. M3 and M4 Coil Housing Configuration
A
B
C
D
E
A. Primary seal (electrode/liner)
B. Secondary seal (isolated electrode compartment)
C. 2 ⫻ fused glass seal
D. 2 ⫻ M6 pressure relief port with removable cap screw
E. Optional: use relief port to plumb to safe area (supplied area)
As shown above, the Rosemount 8705 Magnetic Flowmeter Sensor with the isolated electrode
compartment incorporates multiple components to produce high integrity seals that eliminate
the need for an additional seal as identified in the regulations and standards listed previously.
The installation of a tube approved for the environment where the sensor is located can safely
announce a primary seal breech.
4
Rosemount Flowmeters
Technical Note
Rosemount Flowmeters
00840-0900-4021, Rev AA
January 2016
Figure 1-3. M1 Coil Housing Configuration
B
A
C
D
A. Primary seal (electrode/liner)
B. Secondary seal (isolated electrode compartment)
C. M6 pressure relief port with removable cap screw
D. Optional: use relief port to plumb to safe area (supplied by user)
As shown above, the Rosemount 8705 Magnetic Flowmeter Sensor with the isolated transmitter
incorporates multiple components to produce high integrity seals that eliminate the need for an
additional seal as identified in the regulations and standards listed previously. The installation of
a tube approved for the environment where the sensor is located can safely announce a primary
seal breech.
1.6
Summary
The majority of Rosemount transmitters can be installed without the need for additional
sealing. This information has been provided as reference only. Users should seek guidance of the
local authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) for final approval of all electrical installations.
Rosemount Flowmeters
5
Technical Note
00840-0900-4021, Rev AA
January 2016
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