There are several considerations in designing intrinsically safe electronics devices: Elimination of spark potential within components is accomplished by limiting the available energy in any given circuit and the system as a whole.

Safeguards, such as current limiting by resistors and fuses, must be employed to ensure that in no circumstance can a component reach a temperature that could cause autoignition of a combustible atmosphere.

The primary concept behind intrinsic safety is the restriction of available electrical and thermal energy in the system so that ignition of a hazardous atmosphere (explosive gas or dust) cannot occur.

This is achieved by ensuring that only low voltages and currents enter the hazardous area, and that no significant energy storage is possible.

The instrument will be connected, using approved wiring methods, back to a control panel in a non-hazardous area that contains safety barriers.

The safety barriers ensure that, in normal operation, and with the application of faults according to the equipment protection level (EPL), even if accidental contact occurs between the instrument circuit and other power sources, no more than the approved voltage and current enters the hazardous area.

Intrinsically safe mobile phones must meet special battery design criteria in order to achieve UL, ATEX directive, or IECEx certification for use in explosive atmospheres.

Certifying agencies allow manufacturers to affix a label or mark to identify that the equipment has been designed to the relevant product safety standards.