What kind of protection must electrical equipment have located near batteries?

Electrical equipment located near batteries must be ignition-protected to ensure safety in environments where flammable gases, such as hydrogen, can accumulate. This type of protection minimizes the risk of sparks or heat generated by the equipment igniting these gases, which is particularly crucial since batteries, especially lead-acid ones, can emit explosive gases during charging or discharging processes.

Ignition protection entails design features that prevent equipment from producing ignition sources that could trigger an explosion. These features might include sealed enclosures, specific construction materials, and protective barriers.

While shock-proof and corrosion-resistant attributes are important for overall safety and longevity in marine environments, and standard insulation is essential to prevent short circuits and electrical faults, they do not specifically address the safety concerns associated with the presence of highly flammable gases near batteries. Therefore, ignition protection is the most critical requirement for equipment located in such proximity to batteries.