Hazardous Location?!?!?

I got 7 CF-19C6GCXVM models in today. They are labeled as "Hazardous Location" units. What is so different about these?!?!

I have noticed a FEW very minute differences:

1) SD/PC card/Xpress card door has white writing on it telling the user to NOT open the door...
2) Battery door and HDD door ALSO have white writing on it telling the user to NOT open the door
3) There is a small metal bracket that's screwed into the lower right corner that makes it impossible to remove the battery without removing that bracket/screw
4) The screens are SHINY, not matte finish. I can't see what the advantage of this would be.
5) There are labels on the palm rests stating to not open any rubbers, always use the case and to not touch the screen with your finger...
6) The hand straps have leather, NOT rubber in the center of them and the buckle is Silver metal, not painted black...
7) The batteries are different: Green tabs and model CF-VZSU50 - 5.7Ah

Am I missing something here?!?!? lol

 

interesting!! intrinsically safe!! i want!!!

wallet protests.

and yes, opening used rubbers are bad.

 

Zig77 had a few of these a while back and the base looked different and he said it had a special coating/paint on it to resist chemicals which does sounds about right.

 

Rob , Google "intrinsically safe radio". It is a unit designed for use in hazardous, usually explosive gas, locations. The warnings are to prevent you from opening anything or performing any actions which might cause a spark. I'm not sure about the screen, I'm guessing the coating is to prevent static discharge. When we do dock work and dredging at oil and gas terminals use of a non-intrinsically safe cell phone or hand held radio is grounds for immediate, permanent removal from the facility. For instance, if your cell phone flips or slides, its not IS and is banned. If you look around you will be amazed how much IS stuff is available.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intrinsic_safety
CAP

 

Lot of concurrent posting going on here! How does a camera man know about intrinsically safe?
Zigg may have had "corrosive environment" units, they show up on the configurator now and again.
CAP

 

There are CF-19 UL1604/ATEX (EU/America versions of the same standard) models which are for use in explosive environments - ie gas/oil rigs being the prime example.

The CF-19 (at least in EU) comes in a leather carry case of sorts, so that every metal surface is covered in leather to prevent any sparks from happening if the unit is dropped. I'd expect it to be the same over in the US, I presume someone has just removed the leather case. There are a few other modifications for the UL1604/ATEX model, ie. you can't get WWAN for it (WWAN might possibly cause a spark in some scenario), and you can't get FPR for it because the leather casing blocks access to it.

 

cuz i'd be a happy boy if santa dropped me off an r765IS and apx7000 (wait, are those IS?)

 

I've got some IS Icoms, but just Marine VHFs.
CAP

 

Breast feeding in a burning house would qualify

 

My CF-29 is a Haz Loc as well. As far as I can tell, the only difference is the warning stickers (like yours) and they say the bottom case seal is a double seal instead of a single. All else is the same.

Note too that, at least the 29 is a UL Class I Division II Haz Loc, meaning that explosive gases *may* be present. It is not designed to be used in a place where explosive gas is always present:

"These are defined as places where flammable gases, vapors and liquids are present during abnormal or accident conditions."

According to the UL.

 

Hazardous is relative.

 

I live in a house with 2 small children. EVERYTHING is hazardous; often in ways no adult could imagine.

mnem
Ask any parent who's had a 3-year-old "tee off" against their knee with a stick horse...

 

With many electronics devices, many times, all you get for the extra money are "intrinsically safe" labels and the manufacturer taking on the liability of certifying these devices to be safe in a particular environment. Two-way radio gear is a good example of this.