To meet the criteria for the explosion-proof rating, an enclosure must be able to contain any explosion originating within its housing and prevent sparks from within its housing from igniting vapours, gases, dust, or fibres in the air surrounding it. Therefore, explosion proof, when referring to electrical enclosures, does not mean that it is able to withstand an exterior explosion. Instead, it is the enclosures ability to prevent an internal spark or explosion from causing a much larger blast.
Additionally, the equipment must meet the temperature requirements of the specific application in which it is to be installed. This means that the operating temperature of the motor (and its enclosure) or another component cannot be greater than the lowest ignition/combustion temperature of the gases or dust in the atmosphere where the component is to be installed.
All components should ideally be labelled on their nameplate with the distinct classification in which they have been tested and approved for installation.