2017 Arc Flash Game Changers

February 3, 2017

2017 Trends is a 5-part blog series that takes a look at how the latest technology, economic
developments, evolving user expectations and changing industry standards might affect the way
we all do business.

2017 Trends 2017 Arc Flash Game Changers

2017 Trends The Latest in Gas Detection: New Technology for 2017
2017 Trends LEED v4, ASHRAE Guideline 36 and Other MEP Engineering Trends for 2017
2017 Trends 4 Trends to Watch in Industrial Automation in 2017
2017 Trends 3 Things That Will Impact Your Business in 2017

Introduction
At Hallam-ICS, 2016 was a year of electrical safety and arc flash changes. We learned so much
by keeping up with changing industries and simply listening to our customers concerns and
needs. During the year, there were four areas that generated the most interest from our clients:

Arc Flash and Incident Energy

Equipment Maintenance
Electrical Safety Training
Cost

These subjects will stay on top of our concern list throughout 2017.

Arc Flash and Incident Energy

After speaking with our clients, we have found most are concerned about equipment in their
facility that have high-incident energy and the dangers of their staff working on energized
equipment. Although the best practice is to de-energize, this isnt always an option. There are
many ways to mitigate high incident energy using fiber optic relays, zone selective interlocking
and maintenance bypass switches. A growing concern from 2016 was the front service entrance
where the utility enters the facility. This is where you can see the largest amount of fault
current. Even if you mitigate incident energy within the main switchgear, there is always the
danger of incident energy on the primary side of the main breaker.
Solutions:

Virtual mains
Medium voltage relays
Reclosers

These methods have eliminated dangerous incident energy in the facility by disconnecting the
power on the higher voltage side. This allows regular maintenance to be performed on the lower
voltage side with reduced incident energy. As safety is always our priority, we are keen on
providing solutions that make our clients more aware of best practices.

Equipment Maintenance
Equipment maintenance is very important for the safety of employees within a facility. On
average, 90% of the equipment we surveyed in 2016 was 40+ years old. As equipment
deteriorates over time, regular maintenance and testing is vital for smooth operations.
Most people think that a breaker is an electronic device. The truth is, a breaker is a mechanical
device when it operates. ANSI defines a circuit breaker as a mechanical switching
device. Some breakers use springs for the switching. For instance, think about a spring that is
under tension waiting for a fault or something to release that tension. Now, think about that
same spring stretched in the same position for 40 or more years. This is why calibration and
maintenance is so important.
A common maintenance standard (NFPA 70B) requires power circuit breakers to be calibrated
by the manufacturers guidelines every three years. How long has it been since the breaker in
your facility was turned off and back on to distribute lubrication within the casing?
Solutions:

Maintain equipment frequently in an accurate and safe manner.

NFPA-70B highly stresses the importance of equipment maintenance for facilities and will again
for NFPA 70E-2018.

Electrical Safety Training

Whichever industry you work in, staff safety training is extremely important. As a company, we
offer Qualified Low Voltage Electrical Safety Training. It is amazing how many employers are
unaware that this is a requirement of NFPA-70E and needs to be done every three years.
It is amazing how many employers are unaware that [Electrical Safety Training] is a
requirement of NFPA-70E and needs to be done every three years.
The key to this training is one word: Qualified. Qualified shows that someone is properly trained
and has the skills and knowledge to work on energized equipment. Many electricians and even
managers-- that sat in on the classes I taught in 2016, walked into the class thinking I dont need
it or Its nothing. However, by the end of it, they were stunned and said it was an eye
opener for them. They did not realize just how dangerous electricity could be and why it was so
important to have Electrical Safety Training. This training is not to scare someone into a new
profession, but to help them realize how important safety is for themselves and their fellow co-
workers.
Solutions:

Make safety awareness more prominent by training your staff

I started to see a sharp increase of employers wanting to get their electricians and maintenance
staff trained and Im certain that number will rise in 2017.

Cost
Businesses want to create a safe working environment for their employees and stay on OSHAs
good side. However, one of the biggest concerns from our clients in 2016 was fearing a high
expense.
Solutions:

The same team of engineers completes the arc flash work from start to finish
Use infrared and testing maintenance companies to reduce labor costs
Easy access to information reduces the cost of running an Arc Flash Study every five
years

To address the cost concern, Hallam-ICS developed ways to improve our efficiency to help drive
down costs.

First, we have the same team of engineers work on arc flash from start to finish. We dont
use outside firms to do survey field work. There is no break in the process that can lead to an
inaccurate Arc Flash survey and potentially dangerous mislabeling. The person that surveys the
site is the same person that writes the report and returns to label the equipment.
Second, we try to perform the arc flash survey at the right time. Teaming with Infrared and
testing maintenance companies decreases survey time, which then reduces labor costs. When a
company is getting its annual IR (infrared) completed, this is the perfect time to survey the
equipment while the covers are off. This helps to get two things done at once for the client with
reduced labor cost.
Third, readily available information can be easily updated, thus reducing cost. We keep
copies of every report we produce. Since it is required to update an Arc Flash Study every five
years we remind our clients when it is time for an Arc Flash update. Utility companies
constantly make changes to their system, which means the available fault current contribution
will likely affect results of the study. If no changes were made within the facility, we just have
to plug in updated utility contribution information and rerun the study. If the facility underwent
changes, Hallam-ICS helps clients stay on track of maintaining equipment/safety and well have
access to all information for a quick and easy update. This saves money for our customers.

2016 was a year of awareness; more and more companies are finding out the importance of
worker safety. I feel that 2017 will be a landmark year for electrical safety in the workplace. To
learn more about Hallam-ICS Arc Flash and electrical safety services
About the author
Brian Crosby is the Arc Flash Safety Supervisor for all Hallam-ICS and runs our arc flash
business out of our Raleigh, NC office. Brian has been with the company for over 15 years