Arc Flash safety

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

What Is An Arc Flash

An Arc Flash is a short circuit through air flashes over from one exposed live conductor to another conductor or Ground which release lot of heat and Energy

Incident Arc Energy

The amount of energy impressed on a surface, a certain distance from the source, generated during an arc event . Exposure energy is expressed in terms of cal/sq cm

Arc Exposure energy basics

1.2 cal/sq cm equals the exposure on the tip of a finger by a cigarette lighter in one second. An exposure energy of 1.2 cal/sq cm will cause a second degree burn on human skin (80 degree C for 0.1 Sec)

Arc Flash/Blast
Concentrated energy explodes outwards High Intensity Flash more than 2000 times of normal office light Temperature can reach up to four times hot than the surface of the sun (20000 C) Pressure can reach up to 200lbs/sq inch will be more than 130db noise level to cause hear pain threshold Vaporizes conductors and copper with exploding particles with toxic gases leads to BLI (Lung Blast Injuries)

Temperature of the sun surface is about 5000C.

Severity factors
Power Amount of energy at the arc Distance of the worker at the arc. Time Duration of the arc exposure

Arc Flash Effects

Severe Burns Broken Bones Vision Damage Hearing Loss Brain /Internal injuries Death

Causes of Arc Flash

Accidental contacts with Electrical live systems Dropped Tools Improper Design Installation Failure Lack of Maintenance Buildup of dust on insulating surfaces Improper work procedures Improper Training

Applicable Documents

Arc flash Label Arc Flash Hazard PPE category

Arc Flash calc

Arc Flash Boundary

A distance from exposed live parts within which a person could receive a second degree burn.

Arc Flash Analysis

Flash Protection Boundary Incident Arc Energy Hazard Level for PPE Selection

Boundary and approach limits

Boundary Classification
Limited Approach The Limited Approach
Boundary is the distance from a live part to which unqualified persons may approach unaccompanied. To cross the Limited Approach Boundary, unqualified persons must be accompanied by a qualified worker wearing the appropriate PPE and trained on the task to be performed.

Boundary Classification
Restricted Approach The Restricted
Approach Boundary may only be crossed by qualified workers with appropriate PPE and training on the task to be performed. In addition, the worker must have an approved work permit and written plan for the task. The plan should include shock-prevention procedures designed to keep all portions of the worker's body from crossing the Prohibited Approach Boundary (see below) at any time.

Boundary Classification
Prohibited Approach The distance to any
energised equipment that a qualified employee may approach the voltage listed with supervisory approval and need to approach such equipment

Approach Boundaries
Nominal System Voltage Range Phase-to-Phase Limited Approach Boundary Restricted Approach Boundary Includes Inadvertent Movement Adder Prohibited Approach Boundary Exposed Moveable Conductor Exposed Fixed Circuit Part

0 - 50

Not specified

Not specified

Not specified

Not specified

51 - 300 301 - 750 751V - 15 kV 15.1 36 kV 36.1 46 kV 46.1 72.5 kV 72.6 121 kV 138 145 kV

10 ft. 0 in. 10 ft. 0 in. 10 ft. 0 in. 10 ft. 0 in. 10 ft. 0 in. 10 ft. 0 in. 10 ft. 8 in. 11 ft. 0 in.

3 ft.6 in. 3 ft.6 in. 5 ft.0 in. 6 ft.0 in. 8 ft.0 in. 8 ft.0 in. 8 ft.0 in. 10 ft.0 in.

Avoid contact 1 ft. 0 in. 2 ft. 2 in. 2 ft. 7 in. 2 ft. 10 in. 3 ft. 3 in. 3 ft. 3 in. 3 ft. 7 in.

Avoid contact 0 ft. 1 in. 0 ft. 7 in. 0 ft. 10 in. 1 ft. 5 in. 2 ft. 1 in. 2 ft. 8 in. 3 ft. 1 in.

Determine PPE Hazard Level

Category
0
1 2

Cal / cm2
1.2
5 8

FR Clothing
Untreated Cotton
FR Shirt & FR Pants Cotton Underwear + FR Shirt & FR Pants Cotton Underwear + FR Shirt & FR Pants + FR Coverall Cotton Underwear + FR Shirt & FR Pants + Double Layer Switching Coat & Pants

25

40

PPE Clothing Requirements

Employees Required to Wear Flame Resistant (FR) Clothing PPE The Required Level of Clothing and Personal Protection Depends on the
Calculated Incident Arc Energy For The Specific Task

Arc Flash PPE category

Hazard Risk Category 0

Hazard Risk Category 1

Hazard Risk Hazard Risk Category 2 Category 3

Hazard Risk Category 4

Arc Flash mitigation Engineering

Reducing Arc Flash Proper Maintenance & equipment operability. Lowering Device Setting. Specialized protective relaying Active Protection Arc Resistant Switchboards

Arc Flash Control

Sample arc flash label

Safety Implementation
Flash hazard analysis. Equipment Design Verification Employee Training & Qualification. Safe Work Practices (LOTO) PPE Selection and Use.

THANK YOU