ARCFLASH

Contents

Como y cuando se Produce un Arc Flash Caractersticas e intensidad de un arco elctrico Lesiones de arco elctrico Arc flash Hazard analysis Ropa y equipos de proteccin utilizados

Que es un Arc Flash?

Definicin: Un arco elctrico o falla de arco es una descarga disruptiva de corriente elctrica a travs del aire a partir de un conductor vivo expuesto a otro, o a una tierra. Este produce calor intenso, fuerte ruido y ondas de presin, lo que puede producir perdida auditiva, al producir un arco puede causar severas quemaduras que pueden ser fatales.

Y cual es la causa que genera un Arco Elctrico?

Algunas de las causas por las cuales se puede generar un Arco Elctrico son algunas de las siguientes: Sistemas de tierras deficientes e impurezas en las mismas. La excesiva corrosin de los conductores y aislamientos. La presencia de humedad y la condensacin de vapor. Cuando tocamos accidentalmente lneas vivas del equipo. Herramientas que caen por descuido entre barras o lneas energizadas Presencia de un sobre voltaje que exceda el diseo del aislamiento. Fallas por fatiga de materiales aislantes Seleccin equivocada del equipo de proteccin Falta de coordinacin de protecciones.

Intencidad de un Arco Electrico

Un ejemplo: 277/480V Network Transformer Vault With ~200kA Of Available Fault Current At Bus Connection requires a Fault Withstand For 1 Second In Duration.

How Much Energy Is That?

Contnd.
This much Energy will lift this Space Shuttle weighing approximately 4.5 million Pounds to 27 feet.

Contnd

Las temperaturas en las terminales de arco puede alcanzar o superar 35.000 Fahrenheit (F), o cuatro veces la superficie del Sol, que es 9900 Fahrenheit El aire y los gases que rodean el arco se calienta al instante y los conductores se evaporizan causando una onda de presin llamado Arc Blast. La cual puede lanzar a los trabajadores ejerciendo una presin en el pecho mayor a 2000 lbs/pie cuadrado. La energa liberada esta en funcin del voltaje del sistema, intensidad de corriente y su duracin

Arc Blast
Electric arc Arc flash Arc blast

Que es un Arc Blast?

1.

2.

El flash causa explosin y expansin del aire y metal. Por ejemplo: Cuando el cobre se vaporiza se expande por un factor de 67,000. El blast produce peligrosas:

Ondas de presin Las ondas de sonido Acero fundido y la metralla

Forms of Arc Flash Energy

1. Ruido

1. Expancion

1. Evaporacion

1. Radiacion Termica

Arc Flash Injuries

Choque electrico Quemaduras severas

Cegera
Lesiones por onda expansiva

Lesiones por estallido pulmonar Herida de Metralla Ruptura de Timpanos Leciones por onda de Precion

Factores de la gravedad

Corriente disponible de cortocircuito Tension del Sistema Arc gap Distancia del arco Tiempo de apertura de sobrecorriente Dispositivo de proteccin (OCPD)

Algunas Imagenes .

Probability of Surviving Burns

100 80 60 40 20 0 20+ 30+ 40+ 50+

% Survival

25% Body Burn 50% Body Burn 75% Body Burn

Age Range, Years

Ceguera

Destello de luz es tan intensa que puede daar la visin.

Las heridas de metralla

Material y metal fundido puede golpear el cuerpo en ms de 700 kilmetros por hora.

Lesin por onda Expansiva de pulmn.

Explosin de arco elctrico puede causar lesiones por inhalacin. Por ejemplo:

La inhalacin de vapor de cobre de alta temperatura. Ms de 100 sustancias txicas se encuentran en el humo.

Prdidas de audicin
Arco explosin en dos pies 145 decibelios Motor de un avin a 200 Pies de 132 decibelios

Pressure Wave Injuries

Arc blast can throw a worker: Off a ladder Into nearby walls or equipment. 2000 lbs/ft2 pressure on the body can cause:

Concussion Collapsed lungs Other internal injuries

Standards Regulating Arc Flash

OSHA Standards 29-CFR, Part 1910. Occupational Safety and Health Standards. 1910 sub part S (electrical) Standard number 1910.333 specifically addresses Standards for Work Practices and references NFPA 70E. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 70 The National Electrical Code (NEC) contains requirements for warning labels NFPA 70E provides guidance on implementing appropriate work practices that are required to safeguard workers from injury while working on or near exposed electrical conductors or circuit parts that could become energized. The Institute of Electronics and Electrical Engineers (IEEE) 1584 Guide to Performing Arc-Flash Hazard Calculations

History

1980 First burn centre

1990 OSHA subpart S updated

1995 Arc Resistant Switch gear

2002 NEC requires Warning Labels

2005 NEC Updated with new Safety DEF

1982 Ralph Lees Arc Flash Paper

1995 NFPA 70E Recognizes Arc Flash

2000 NFPA 70E Expands On Arc Flash

2004 NFPA 70E IS Expanded And Revised

Arc Flash Hazard Analysis

A Flash Hazard Analysis shall be done in order to protect personnel from the possibility of being injured by an Arc-Flash. The analysis shall determine the Flash Protection Boundary and the personal protective equipment . Done by: 1. Calculation 2. Table Method

The Flash Protection Boundary (FPB)

The Flash Protection Boundary is the distance in feet (DC) from a given arc source that will produce a second degree burn on exposed bare skin.

Approach Boundaries

Arc Flash Metrics

A Calorie is the amount of heat energy needed to raise the temperature of one gram of water by one degree Celsius. Energy (E) = Power (P) Time (t) Power (P) = Volts (V) Amps (I) Calories (E) = Volts (V) Amps (I) Time (t) 1 Calorie = 4.1868 watt-seconds 1 Joule = 1 watt-second

Hazard Risk Category

Data Required for Arc Flash Hazard Analysis

Up-to-date one-line circuit diagram of the electrical distribution system Available fault current from the utility or generator Maximum available bolted fault currents at each location Minimum self-sustaining arcing current at each location Clearing times of all over current protective devices

Formulas Used..

Example

Calculation for energized work in the transformer metering section of a 2000 kVA substation. Transformer secondary protected with currentlimiting fuse in one case and in the second one with circuit Breaker

Results of the Calculation

How To Use Tables

1) Calculate the available 3-phase bolted fault current
available at every point in the electrical system where workers may be exposed to energized components. 2) Determine the ampere rating of the overcurrent protective device (fuse or circuit breaker) to be used to protect the equipment where work is to be performed.If ratings are not shown in calculator tables, select the next largest rating.

Contnd.
3) Consult the table and determine the Incident Energy,
Hazard Risk Category,and Flash Protection Boundary. 4) Select the appropriate PPE outlined in NFPA 70E that meets the determined Hazard Risk Category and Incident Energy.

Protection

FR Rated Clothing

Limit the Incident Energy level of the arc flash to 1.2 cal/cm against the workers chest. Look for a label that states:

1506 approval (ASTM F1506) Arc rating of the garment.

All materials in the garment should be FR Rated:

Thread Buttons Insulation Zippers, etc.

Personal Protective Equipments

Hazard/Risk Category Eye protection, ear canal inserts, long sleeve shirt and pants Arc rated clothing Face & Head Protection Flash Suit Hood

1
2 3

Typical Protective Clothing

Hazard/Risk Category

Clothing Description

Required Minimum Clothing Arc Rating

0 1

Non-melting, flammable material with advisable Fabric Weight

Not applicable

Arc-rated FR shirt + FR pants or FR coveralls

Arc-rated FR shirt + FR pants or FR coveralls Arc-rated FR shirt + FR pants or FR coveralls, and Arc-rated flash suit, the layered system must meet the required minimum rating.

4 calories/cm 8 calories/cm 25 calories/cm

2
3

Prevention

Tasks with Potential for Arc Flash

Operating a switch or circuit breaker Inserting or removing a circuit breaker

Opening an enclosure door

Removing a cover (bolted or hinged) Testing for voltage

CONTROLLING ARC FLASH HAZARDS

At the Source

Reduce the fault clearing time. Reduce the short-circuit current. Improve equipment maintenance Use flash-resistant equipment

CONTROLLING ARC FLASH HAZARDS

Along the Path

Increase the working distance. Reduce the energy exposure.

Use hinged doors instead of bolted doors to eliminate the risk of bolts falling into the panel.
Work de-energized.

CONTROLLING ARC FLASH HAZARDS

At the Worker

Energized electrical work permit Barriers

Training and skills

Job briefings PPE

Tools

Sample Labels

WARNING
Arc Flash and Shock Hazard Appropriate PPE Required

Sample Work Permit System

Prevention Steps
1.

Include Electrical Safety in your Occupational Health and Safety Management Program. Use an electrical work permit system. Conduct regular equipment maintenance and label equipment that poses a flash hazard. Confirm single-line diagrams for accuracy and available fault current. Maintain documentation process. Provide training and job briefings. Conduct periodic safety audits.

2. 3.

4.

5. 6. 7.

Conclusion

It is ALWAYS preferable to work on de-energized equipment.

Reference

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arc_flash http://www.usgweb.com/Arc_Flash_White_Paper _S.pdf Electrical Hazard Safety Hand Book,Little Fuse www.mikeholt.com http://www.neiengineering.com/pdfs/paper1KM.p df

Thank You

Any Questions.?