Gas explosion-proof and dust explosion-proof are two different concepts. They are safety measures taken for different types of explosive environments. Due to different environmental characteristics, their measures and considerations are also different.

Explosion-proof electrical equipment is mainly divided into five main types: flameproof, increased safety, positive pressure, spark-free and dust explosion-proof. From the explosion-proof principle of each explosion-proof electrical equipment, it can be seen that the shell protection level of most gas explosion-proof electrical equipment is lower than that of dust explosion-proof electrical equipment. If gas explosion-proof electrical equipment is used in dust explosion hazardous places, dust will enter the equipment and accumulate, which will hinder the safe operation of explosion-proof electrical equipment and create safety hazards.
Of course, the shell protection level of gas explosion-proof electrical equipment can be increased and used in dust explosion hazardous places, but this is a large investment and extremely uneconomical, because the explosion-proof, increased safety and other functions used for gas explosion are wasted. Conversely, can dust explosion-proof electrical equipment be used in gas explosion hazardous places? The answer is no. Because dust explosion-proof electrical equipment only has a higher level of shell protection, it cannot prevent explosive gas from entering its shell, and there are no explosion-proof measures such as flameproof and increased safety, so these two types of explosion-proof electrical equipment must not be replaced.
Of course, the shell protection level of gas explosion-proof electrical equipment can also be increased and used in dust explosion hazardous places, but this is a large investment and extremely uneconomical, because the flameproof and increased safety functions used for gas explosion protection are wasted. Conversely, can dust explosion-proof electrical equipment be used in gas explosion hazardous places? The answer is no. Because dust explosion-proof electrical equipment only has a higher level of shell protection, it cannot prevent explosive gas from entering its shell, and there are no explosion-proof measures such as flameproof and increased safety, so these two types of explosion-proof electrical equipment must not be replaced.
 

What are the differences between gas explosion-proof and dust explosion-proof?
Environmental characteristics:
Gas explosion-proof: Involving the presence of flammable gas or steam, it is necessary to consider factors such as gas concentration, oxygen concentration, and possible sparks.
Dust explosion prevention: For environments with combustible dust, attention should be paid to factors such as dust concentration, particle size, flammable properties of dust, and possible dust accumulation.
 
Explosion mechanism:
Gas explosion prevention: Gas explosion is mainly based on the mixing of gas and oxygen to form explosion conditions within the range of combustible gas.
 
Dust explosion prevention: Dust explosion is caused by dust suspended in the air within a certain concentration range, forming a combustible dust cloud, and then exploding under the action of an ignition source.
 
Control strategy:
Gas explosion prevention: Controlling gas explosion mainly involves limiting gas concentration and oxygen concentration, while avoiding situations such as electric sparks that may ignite the gas.
 
Dust explosion prevention: Controlling dust explosion requires reducing or avoiding dust accumulation, avoiding dust cloud formation, and preventing dust from encountering ignition sources.
 
Difference in protection level:
Most gas explosion-proof distribution boxes have a lower protection level than dust explosion-proof distribution boxes.
 
Based on the explosion-proof principle of each explosion-proof distribution box, the shell protection level of most gas explosion-proof distribution boxes is lower than that of dust explosion-proof distribution boxes. If a gas explosion-proof distribution box is used in a dust explosion-prone place, dust will enter the equipment and accumulate, obstructing the safe operation of the explosion-proof distribution box and posing a safety hazard. Of course, the protection level of the gas explosion-proof distribution box shell can also be increased, and it can be used in dust explosion-prone places, but this is costly and extremely uneconomical, because it wastes the explosion-proof and flameproof properties of gas explosions, safety enhancement and other functions.
 
Dust explosion-proof distribution boxes cannot be used in gas explosion-prone places
 
Because the dust explosion-proof distribution box only needs a higher protection level of the shell, it can prevent explosive gas from entering its shell, and has explosion-proof functions, increased safety and other explosion-proof measures, so these two types of explosion-proof distribution boxes must not be switched.
 
The application plans of the two are also very different, and they should not be mixed. When purchasing a gas or dust explosion-proof distribution box, you must first identify which application environment you belong to.