Disclosure to Promote the Right To Information

Whereas the Parliament of India has set out to provide a practical regime of right to
information for citizens to secure access to information under the control of public authorities,
in order to promote transparency and accountability in the working of every public authority,
and whereas the attached publication of the Bureau of Indian Standards is of particular interest
to the public, particularly disadvantaged communities and those engaged in the pursuit of
education and knowledge, the attached public safety standard is made available to promote the
timely dissemination of this information in an accurate manner to the public.
1 +, 1 +

01 ' 5

The Right to Information, The Right to Live

Step Out From the Old to the New

Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan

Jawaharlal Nehru

IS 9836 (1981): Exploders [ETD 22: Electrical Apparatus for

Explosive Atmosphere]

! $ ' +-
Satyanarayan Gangaram Pitroda

Invent a New India Using Knowledge

! > 0 B

BharthariNtiatakam

Knowledge is such a treasure which cannot be stolen

( Reaffirmed 2001 )

IS : 9836 - 1981

Indian Standard
SPECIFICATION

FOR EXPLODERS

Electrical Apparatus for Explosive Atmospheres Sectional Committee,

ETDC 22
Chairman
DR G. N. BADAMI

Representing
Central Building Research Institute,

Roorkee

Members
SHRI MAHEW CHANDRA( Alternate to
Dr G. N. Badami )
Food Corporation of India, New Delhi
SHRI AMLENDU RAY
SHRI V. THIAGARAJAN( Alternate )
Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd, Hyderabad
SHRI J. H. BHOJWANI
SHRI S. B. C AGARWAL( Alternate I )
SHRI G. H. SAHA ( Alternate II )
Directorate General of Mines Safety, Dhanbad
SHRI S. K. BISWAS( GUPTA )
SHRI N. K. SEN ( Alternate )
Indian Oil Corporation Ltd ( Refineries Division),
SHRI P. K. CHAKRABOR~Y
New Delhi
SHRI S. KANUN~~ ( Alternate )
Macneill
& Magor Ltd
Industries
Division,
Sum S. CHANDRA
Calcutta
SHRI A. K. HAZRA ( Alternate )
Electronics Commission, New Delhi
SHRI B. A. CHEESY
Bharat Bijlee Ltd, Bombay
SHRI S. G. DEWMUKH
SHRI P. N. JASUTKAR( Alternate )
Central Electricity Authority, Ministry of Energy,
DIREC-WR ( COMMERCIAL)
( Department of Power )
DEPUTYDIRECIDR( Alternate)
The Association
of Mining,
Electrical
and
SHRI S. N. GHOSH
Mechanical Engineers,
U. K., Indian Sub
Branch,. Calcutta
Siemens lndla Ltd. Bombay
SHRI S. N. GHOSH
Directorate
General of Technical Development,
SHRI D. P. GUPTA
New Delhi
Directorate General Factory Advice Service and
SHRI H. N. GUPTA
Labour Institutes, Bombay
SHRI G. VAIDYANATHAN
( Alternate )
Directorate of Standardization, Ministry of Defence
DR HARIHARSINGH
(DGI)
( Continued on page 2 )
@ Copyright 1981
INDIAN STANDARDS
INSTITUTION
This publication is protected under the Indian Copyright Act ( XIV of 1957 ) and
reproduction in whole or in part by any means except with written permission of the
publisher shall be deemed to be an infringement of copyright under the said Act.

IS : 9836- 1981
( Continuedfrom page 1 )
Representing

Members

SHRI T. R. A. KRWINAN
Tariff Advisory Committee, Bombay
SHRI I. M. KHUSHU ( Alternate )
Indian Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Ltd, New Delhi
SHRI S. LAL
SHRI G. L. CHAWLA ( Alternate )
Tata Consulting Engineers, Bombay
SHRI M. M. MEHTA
SHRI R. C. BAJPAI ( Alternate )
Chief Controllerate of Explosives, Government of
SHRI 1. N. MURTY
India, Nagpur
SHRI CHARANJITLAL ( Alternate )
Loss Prevention Association of India Ltd, Bombay
SHRI T. NITYANANDAS.
Crompton Greaves Ltd, Bombay
SHRI S. V. OZARDE
Hindustan Brown Boveri Ltd, Bombay
DR M. S. PADBIDRI
SHRI N, SUNDARARAXAN( Alternate )
Directorate
of Standardization,
Department
of
SHRI M. A. J. PARTHASARATHY
Defence Production,
Ministry
of Defence.
( Eng-in-Chief Branch )
MAJ T. R. GULATI ( Alternate )
SHRI S. G. RAMACHANURA
Kirloskar Electric Co Ltd, Bangalore
SHRI T. V. VIUYARATHNARAJ ( Alternate )
Larsen & Toubro Ltd, Bombay
SHRI B. RAMACHANDRAN
SHRI I. C. JOSEPH( Alternate )
National
Hydro-electric
Power Corpn
Ltd,
SHRI K. P. SINGH
New Delhi
NGEF Ltd, Bangalore
SHRI A. N. SRIVATHSA
SHRI S. L. SRIDHARAMURTKV( Alternate )
The Fertilizer ( Planning & Development ) India
SHRI SURESHKUMAR
Ltd.
~, Sindri
-~ ~~
SHRI G. S. SINGH ( Alternate >
Central
Mining
Research
Station
( CSIR ).
SHRI R. N. TARAFDAR
Dhanbad
SHRI S. K. RAY ( Alternate )
Coal India Ltd, Ranchi
SHRI M. B. TAWADEY
SHRI A. S. R. MURTHY ( Alternate )
Engineers India Ltd, New Delhi
SHRI G. N. THADANI
SHRI S. KASTHURIRANGAN( Alternate )
Explosives Safety Group,
Directorate of ArmaDR K. S. UPPAL
ments. Ministry of Defence I R & D )
SHRI R. SRINIVASAN( Alternate )
Director General, ISI ( Ex-officio Member )
SHRI S. P. SACHDEV.
Director ( Elec tech )

Secretary
SHRI R. K. MONGA
Deputy Director

( Elec tech ). IS1

( Continued on page 10 )

IS :9836 - 1981

Indian Standard
SPECIFICATION FOR EXPLODERS
0. FOREWORD
0.1 This Indian Standard was adopted by the Indian Standards Institution on
27 April 1981, after the draft finalized by the Electrical Apparatus for Explosive Atmospheres Sectional Committee had been approved by the Electrotechnical Division Council.
0.2 The exploders or blasting machines are used for blasting operations
in mining and civil works ( non-mining ) areas.
0.3 There are two types of exploders, namely, permitted type and general (or
non-permitted ) type used in the blasting operations.
0.4 The permitted type exploders [see also 3.1 (a) ] are used in underground locations where flammable gas hazard may be present. Such locations
are coal mines, non-coal mines or underground civil works. Such exploders
shall be approved by statutory authority before use. The general type
exploders are used in the open areas where gas hazard may not be present.
0.5 It is essential that the exploder must fire the specified number of detonators in series and/or in parallel in a manner recommended by the manufacturer of the exploder
authorities.

and

in accordance

with stipulations

of the statutory

0.6 Attention is invited to the fact that the manufacture and use of exploders
in underground coal mines is controlled by the Directorate General of Mines
Safety, Dhanbad.
The testing facility, at present is available in the Central Mining Research
Station, Dhanbad.
0.7 For the purpose of deciding whether a particular requirement of this
standard is complied with, the final value, observed or calculated, expressing
the result of a test, shall be rounded off in accordance with IS : 2-1960*.
The number of significant places retained in the rounded off value should be
the same as that of the specified value in this standard.

1. SCOPE

1.1 This standard covers the requirements of exploders and portable blasting
machines used for electric shot firing operations for activating electro*Rules for rounding off numerical values ( revised ).
3

IS:9836-1981
explosive/pyrotechnic
tions.

device during mining and non-mining

blasting opera-

2. DEFINITIONS
2.0 For the purpose of this standard, the following definitions shall apply.
2.1 Electra-Explosive/Pyrotechnic
Device - A device which uses electrical
energy for activating an explosive/pyrotechnic.
3. CLASSIFICATIONS
3.1 The exploders covered by this standard shall be either of the following
two types:
Permitted

Type - A type which is approved by the statutory

authority namely, Directorate General of Mines Safety, for use in
underground coal, gassy non-coal mines and other hazardous
locations.
General or Non-permitted Type - A type which is used for mining
operations in open places or civil work where the danger from
flammable gases is not present.
4. CONSTRUCTION AND GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

4.1 The exploder shall be so constructed that all parts are of satisfactory
strength for the service intended. The enclosure case shall be robust such that
meets the requirements of 8.4 and 8.5, splash proof and dust tight ( degree of
protection IP 54) in accordance with IS : 2147-1962*.
The enclosure of the permitted type exploders shall be so constructed as
not to give rise to ignition hazard of gas and coal dust due to frictional
spark, static charges and leakage current.
4.2 Carrying Strap - A carrying strap shall be fastened securely to the body
of the exploder. The carrying strap shall be of adequate strength so as to
withstand an additional 50 percent weight of exploder for 15 minutes without failure or break.
4.3 The operating spindle shall extend through the top or side of the
enclosure and shall be operated by a suitable detachable handle or key.
The protruding portion of the operating spindle shall be enclosed within-a
*Specification for degrees
switchgear and controlgear.

of protection

provided

by enclosures

for low-voltage

IS : 9836- 1981

shouder or a collar so designed that the operatings pindle cannot be operated without the handle or key. The operating handle shall be proportioned
and dimensioned so as to permit the operator a firm grasp without striking
the knuckles during the twisting or turning movement.
4.4 The output terminals shall be provided with suitable connecting devices
for firm connections. It shall not be possible to remove the connecting device
It shall be possible for easy and firm connection of shot
from its position.
firing cable with the terminals.
4.5 The firing circuit of the exploder shall be adequately insulated
its enclosure and shall meet the requirements given in 8.1.

from

4.6 It shall not be possible to remove the handle or key of exploder until this
is brought to oh? position or the completion of firing sequence. The operating handle or key shall be of special design to avoid the operations by
unauthorised persons.
4.7 The exploder can be so constructed that:

4 It shall be operated by a removeable handle or key,

b) The firing circuit is made or broken either automatically or by the
operation of handle or key or a push button switch, and

No residual energy is left at the terminals after the completion

operation sequence.

of

4.8 The permitted type exploders shall have suitable devices so as to terminate the output energy pulse within four milliseconds of the operation of
the firing switch/key.
4.9 If the exploder incorporates a circuit testing device for testing the
electrical continuity or resistance of the firing circuit, this device shall comply
with the requirements given in Appendix A.
4.10 Each exploder shall be capable of firing prescribed number of electroexplosive/pyrotechnic detonators in the manner reco.mmended by the manufacturer of the exploder with a total resistance appropriate to that number
The performance requirements of the exploder shall be in
of shots.
accordance with 6.
4.11 In the case of a battery operated exploders, it shall be possible to
replace the battery without disturbing or damaging components or circuit
connections:
5

lS:9836-

1981

4.12 The permitted type exploder shall also meet the following requirements:
a) The exploder of the capacitor discharge/electronic type, suitable
means shall be provided to ensure automatically that current is put
to line only when the full output potential of the machine has been
attained and also to give a clearly visible indication when the
machine has attained its full output energy.
b) The exploder whose output is directly obtained from a hand
operated generator, suitable means shall be provided to ensure
automatically that current is not put to the line until the speed of
rotation attained by the generator is at least that capable of
producing the output required by 6.2 or otherwise ensuring that the
output is not available until the moment of firing.
c) The exploder whose output is directly obtained from a spring driven
generator, shall be provided with such measure as to ensure automatically that current is not put to line until full energy of the
machine is attained.

4.13 Electrical Connections - All internal electrical connections shall be

mechanically secured or soldered or brazed such that the exploder meets the
requirements of drop test and impact test ( see 8.4 and 8.5 ).
4.14 Open-Circuit Voltage ( Peak ) ( Applicable to Multi-Shot Exploder ) The value of maximum or peak open circuit voltage across output terminals
of the exploder is under consideration.
5. MATERIALS
5.1 Materials - Materials
commercial quality.
6. PERFORMANCE

not specifically designated shall be of a good

REQUIREMENTS

6.1 The performance of electrical exploders for successful firing of any

particular number of shots connected in series and/or in parallel would
depend on the characteristics of detonators used and the conditions under
which the shots are fired.
6.2 The exploder shall be capable of firing the prescribed number of shots of
detonators in a manner recommended by the manufacturer of the exploder.
6.2.1 The exploder manufacturer shall indicate in the instruction manual,
the total circuit resistance and the rated ac and equivalent dc output voltage
at that resistance.
6.2.2 In the case of capacitor type exploders, the value of capacitance, the
maximum charged voltage and the external resistance shall be specified in the
6

IS : 9836- 1981
instruction manual. In addition, the total available energy/ohm/ms from the
exploder may also be specified therein.
6.3 The compliance of the exploder with the requirements of this standard
shall be checked by firing the specified number of detonators in a manner
indicated in the instruction manual. The performance may also be checked
by incorporating suitable external resistance across the output terminals.
7. MARKING
7.1 Each

exploder
its rating plate:

shall be marked

with the following

information

on

a)
b)
c)
d)
e)

Name of the manufacturer;

Type of exploder;
Rated load resistance;
Current in amperes;
The rated number of detonators, the exploder would fire in series
and/or in parallel; and
f) Any other marking indicating the approval from the statutory
authority.

7.2 Each exploder shall be provided with an instruction manual giving

necessary operating instructions, illustrations, testing instructions, and safety
precautions to ensure proper operation and maintenance of the exploder.
7.3 The exploder may also be marked with the IS1 Certification Mark.
NOTE - The use of the IS1 Certification Mark is governed bv the provisions of the
Indian Standards Institution (Certification Marks) Act and the Rules and Regulations
made thereunder.
The IS1 mark on products covered by an Indian Standard conveys
the assurance that they have been produced to comply with the requirements of that
standard under a well-defined system of inspection, testing and quality control which
is devised and supervised by ISI and operated by the producer.
ISI marked products
are also continuously checked by IS1 for conformity to that standard as a further
safeguard
Details of conditions, under which a licence for the use of the IS1 Certification Mark may be granted to manufacturers or processors, may be obtained from
the Indian Standards Institution.

8. TESTS
8.0 AcceptanceTests and the Sampling Plan - The acceptance tests and the
sampling plan for exploders shall be as agreed to between the manufacturer and the user.
8.1 Insulation Resistance Test - The exploder shall be kept for 24 hours in
the humidity cabinet maintained at 27 f 2C and relative humidity not less
7

IS:9836-1981

than 95 percent. The insulation resistance of the exploder after humidity treatment shall be measured by insulation tester with a dc voltage of approximately
500 volts, applied between the line parts and the metal enclosure. The
measurement being made one minute after the application of voltage. The
insulation resistance so measured shall be not less than 50 megohm.
8.2 Dielectric Strength Test - The exploder shall be capable of withstanding the application of high voltage applied for one minute between mutually
insulated circuits and between insulated circuits and external metal parts. The
test voltage is given in the Table 1.
TABLE 1 TEST VOLTAGE
CAPACITYOF EXPLODER
No. OFSHOTS

TESTVOLTAGE
V(rms)

(1)
Over
Over
Over
Over
Over

up to 12
12 and up to 15
15 and up to 25
25 and up to 50
50 and up to 100
100 and up to 200

(2)
200
1

600

1
>

2 500

After the high voltage test, the exploder shall meet the requirements given
in 6.

8.3 Mechanical Endurance Test - All exploders shall be capable of withstanding a minimum of 5 000 actuations at the rate not less than 6 operations
per minute. The exploders after the mechanical endurance test shall comply
with the requirements given in 6.
8.4 Drop Test - A completely assembled exploder shall be held in any
position and then dropped once from a height of 1 m on to a concrete floor.
This test may be repeated for severe1 positions with separate exploders as
desired by testing authorities before the grant of approval.
8.4.1 After the drop test, the exploder shall be checked for the requirements given in 8.5.2.
8.5 Impact Test - The mechanical strength of the enclosure of the exploder
shall be tested by the impact of falling body having a hardened steel hemisphere of 25 mm diameter on the impinging end. The mass of this falling body
shall be 1 kg which shall be dropped vertically from a height of 2 m. The
falling body shall be aimed at the weakest points of enclosure. The exploder
enclosure shall be subjected to this test when placed on a rigid base. After
8

IS:9836-1981
the test it shall satisfy the requirements given in 8.5.2 and also the dust
tightness requirements of IP 54 in accordance with IS : 2147-1962*.
8.5.1 The strength of the transparent parts of the exploder shall be tested
by the impact of a falling body having on the impinging end a hemisphere of
25 mm diameter in polyamide ( nylon 6.6 ) rockwell hardness R 100. The mass
of the falling body shall be 1 kg which shall be dropped vertically from a
height of 1 m. The transparent parts are tested when the exploder is placed
on a rigid base.
8.5.2 The impact test and drop test ( 8.4) shall not produce a condition
which invalidates the type of protection of the enclosure of electrical
apparatus.
Any deformation caused by these tests shall not prevent the
proper operation of the electrical apparatus nor reduce the creepage and
clearance distances nor the degree of protection of the enclosure. It is
accepted that the superficial damage, chipping to paint work, breakage of
cooling fans or similar parts of the electrical apparatus and small items shall
be ignored.

APPENDIX
( Clause 4.9 )

REQUIREMENTS FOR CIRCUIT CONTINUITY TESTER

A-O. Before firing the detonators with exploder, it is required to check the
continuity of the firing circuit with a resistance measuring device. It is better
to measure the circuit resistance to be of the order for the particular number
of shots. If the resistance is high and the firing is continued there may be
misfire. To avoid this, there should be a check over the measurement of
continuity and circuit resistance.
A-l. While doing so the testing current in the circuit should be as low as
possible not exceeding 50 mA so that the detonators may not be fired while
checking the continuity of shots. The circuit of the continuity tester shall be
intrinsically safe conforming to IS : 5780-1980t.
A-2. The instrument shall be so designed and constructed as to be incapable
of firing even a single detonator in the circuit.
A-3. The construction and the enclosure of the continuity tester shall meet
the similar requirements as applicable to exploders. ( see 4, 8.4 and 8.5 ).
*Specification for degrees of protection provided by enclosures for low-voltage
switchgear and controlgear.
tSpecification for intrinsically safe electrical apparatus and circuits (first revision).
9

IS:9836-1981
( Continued from page 2 )

Panel for Exploders, ETDC 22/P15

Representing
Convener
Directorate General of Mines Safety, Dhanbad
&ill1 v. c. VARMA
Members
SHRI B. K. SHARAN ( Alternate to
Shri V. C. Varma j
Central Mining Research Station, Dhanbad
SHRI J. ACHARI
SHRI SARAL DAS (Alternate)
Indian Explosives Ltd. Calcutta
SHRI S. SESHAN
SHRI K. R. KRISHNASWAMY( Alternate )
IDL Chemicals Ltd, Hyderabad
SHRI R VEDAM

SHRI P. V. SATYAVRATAN
( Alternate )

10