Arc Flash Energy & Protection

Presented by EWB Engineering

(Electrical Engineers)
 Objective

To Understand
• What is An Arc Flash
• Why OSHA Is Addressing This Issue
• New Requirements In NEC & NFPA 70E
• Impact to Industry
• Steps in Performing an Arc Flash Analysis
• How to Select Required Protective Clothing
 Arc Flash Event

Every Day An
Electrician Is
Severely
Injured by an
Arc Flash Event
 What Is An Arc Flash

An Arc Flash is
a Sudden
Release of Heat
and Energy
Caused By An
Electric Arc
Arc Resistant
Switchgear
Undergoing Test
For an Arcing Fault
 Recent Changes

• Attention to Personnel Protection (PPE)

• Recognition of Unsafe Work Practices
• Impact to Business and Medical Costs
• Changes to NFPA 70E & NEC
• IEEE Standard for Arc Flash Analysis
• Requirements of OSHA 1910, Subpart S
 What Does OSHA Say?
• 29 CFR 1910.333
– Live electrical parts that an
employee may be exposed shall be
de-energized unless additional or
greater hazards are introduced.

• 29 CFR 1910.335
– Employees working in areas where
potential electrical hazards exist
shall be provided with and shall use
personal protective equipment.
 What Does NFPA 70E Say?

• NFPA 70E, Part II, 2-1.3.3

“A flash hazard analysis shall be done
before a person approaches any exposed
electrical conductor or circuit part that has
not been placed in an electrically safe work
condition.”
What Does National Electric
Code (NEC) Say?

• NEC 110.16

States Equipment must be marked to

warn qualified persons of potential
electrical arc flash hazards.
Results of Arc Flash Analysis

• Flash Protection Boundary

• Incident Arc Energy
• Hazard Level for PPE
 Arc Flash Principles
 Radiated Energy From Flash
 Radiated Energy Function of
 Arc Power
 Distance From Arc
AC Volts  Time to Extinguish Arc
 Arc Power Function of
 Arc Voltage & Arc Current
 Arc Voltage Function of
 Arc Gap
Incident Arc Energy

The amount of
energy impressed
on a surface, a
certain distance
from the source,
generated during
an arc event.
Arc Flash Boundary

A distance from
exposed live
parts within
which a person
could receive a
second degree
burn.
Determine PPE Hazard Level
Category Cal / cm2 FR Clothing

0 1.2 Untreated Cotton

1 5 FR Shirt & FR Pants

2 8 Cotton Underwear + FR
Shirt & FR Pants

3 25 Cotton Underwear + FR
Shirt & FR Pants + FR
Coverall

4 40 Cotton Underwear + FR
Shirt & FR Pants +
Double Layer Switching
Coat & Pants
 Calculation Methods

• IEEE 1584
– IEEE Method Preferred

• NFPA 70E Tables

– Can Be Used if Calculations Not Available
– Limited Range of Fault Currents and
Protective Device Characteristics
 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 Categories
Category 0 Category 1
• Untreated Cotton • FR Long Sleeve Shirt
(Long Sleeve) • Untreated Cotton Pants
• Untreated Cotton (Long)
Pants (Long) • FR Pants (Long)
• Voltage Rated Gloves • Safety Glasses
• Safety Glasses • Voltage Rated Gloves
• Hard Hat • Hard Hat
 Arc Flash PPE Categories
Category 2
• Untreated Cotton T-Shirt
• Untreated Cotton Shirt (Long
Sleeve)
• FR Shirt (Long Sleeve)
• Untreated Cotton Pants (Long)
• FR Pants (Long)
• Safety Glasses
• Voltage Rated Gloves
• Hard Hat
• Double Layer Bee Keepers
Hood
 Arc Flash PPE Categories
Category 3
• Untreated Cotton T-Shirt
• Untreated Cotton Shirt (Long
Sleeve)
• FR Shirt (Long Sleeve)
• Untreated Cotton Pants (Long)
• FR Pants (Long)
• Voltage Rated Gloves
• Safety Glasses
• FR Hard Hat Liner
• Hard Hat
• Double Layer Bee Keepers Hood
• Hearing Protection
 Arc Flash PPE Categories
Category 4
• Untreated Cotton T-Shirt
• Untreated Cotton Shirt (Long
Sleeve)
• FR Shirt (Long Sleeve)
• Untreated Cotton Pants (Long)
• FR Pants (Long)
• FR Coveralls
• Voltage Rated Gloves
• Safety Glasses
• FR Hard Hat Liner
• Hard Hat
• Double Layer Bee Keepers Hood
• Hearing Protection
 Conclusions
• OSHA & NFPA 70E Require An Arc Flash Hazard
Analysis For Proper PPE

• New Requirement in NEC States That Arc Flash

Warning Labels Be Placed on Electrical Panels and
Switchboards.

• IEEE 1584 is Preferred Method for Determining Arc

Flash Incident Energy & Arc Flash Boundaries.
– Fault Study
– Coordination Study
– Determine Incident Arc Energy