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Arc Flash: Answers From
Arc Flash: Answers From
Asked
Arc flash
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Questions
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Q. What are some of Arcs spray droplets of molten Q. What is the potential
the causes of an metal with the explosion exposure to an arc
electrical arc flash? distributing the molten metal
produced by the arc over a large
flash?
area.
Accidents, such as dropped
Bureau of Labor Statistics data
tools, accidental contact with
for 1994 show 11,153 cases of
electrical systems and the build
reported days away from work
up of conductive dust, dirt,
due to electrical burns,
corrosion and particles.
electrocution/electrical shock
injuries, fires and explosions.
Electrical Equipment and
Insulation Failure
The Census of Fatal Injuries
noted 548 employees died from
Improperly designed or utilized
the causes of electrical current
equipment
exposure, fires and explosions out
The vaporization of metal and
of 6,588 work related fatalities
Improper work procedures heating of the air produces blast
nationwide.
pressure waves that have thrown
An arc is produced by flow of workers across rooms and
In the US Chemical Industry,
electrical current through knocked them off ladders.
56% of the fatalities that occurred
ionized air after an initial
over a 5-year period were
flashover or short circuit. Hearing loss from sound blast
attributable to burns, fires and
explosions, with many of the
Q. What are the Q. What is the impact ignition sources being related to
electrical activity.
hazards from an arc of an arc flash?
flash?
Arcing faults release dangerous Treatment can require years of Q. What is the
levels of radiant heat energy, skin grafting and rehabilitation electrical industry doing
capable of causing severe
burns. Fatal burns can occur up Victim may never return to to address the arc flash
to five feet from the arc, with work or regain quality of life. Issue?
severe burns up to ten feet
away. Arcs produce some of Victim may DIE. Historically, the National
the highest temperatures known Electrical Code (NEC) and other
to occur on earth; up to 35,000 Cost of treatment can exceed safety codes have been primarily
degrees Fahrenheit. This is 4 $1,000,000/case. concerned with protection from
times the surface temperature fire, electrocution, and shock
of the sun. Potential Litigation fees hazard. Arc flash hazards were
not addressed.
Clothing can be ignited several Potential Loss of Process
feet away. Blast shrapnel can This is changing. The 2002 NEC
be distributed over a wide area. Potential Fines: contains requirements for warning
Escalation of Insurance.
FAQ
Landmark agreement
forged between OSHA, Q. What Does NFPA- Q. Are there
IBEW and NECA 70E do to address arc differences between
contractors to use
NFPA-70E to protect
flash hazards? NFPA 70E and IEEE
electricians in Columbus, 1584 calculations?
It defines a series of
Ohio could set trend for boundaries related to electrical
the Nation. Both calculation methods
safety when working on attempt to compute the expected
energized equipment: arc flash energy that would be
labels and the National Fire created by an arcing fault. This is
Protection Association (NFPA) Flash Protection Boundary a worst-case calculation based on
70E and Institute of Electrical Limited Approach Boundary expected fault current, arc length
and Electronics Engineers Restricted Approach Boundary and fault duration.
(IEEE) 1584, provide guidance Prohibited Approach Boundary
on implementing appropriate Differences do exist between the
safety procedures. Determining Flash Protection
two calculation methods. It is
Boundaries may be based on
suggested that you review both
NEC Article 110.16 requires voltage, available short-circuit
methods to help determine the
field markingof potential arc current and predicted fault
approach that is appropriate for
flash hazard for panels likely to duration.
your facility.
be serviced or examined in
energized condition. This NFPA-70E 2004 Equipment Requirements (Proposed)
article also contains a Fine
Category Energy Level Typical Personal Protective Equipment required (NFPA-70E)
Print Note (FPN) regarding
proper signage and an FPN 0 <2 cal/cm2 Non-melting flammable materials
referencing NFPA 70E. These 1 4 cal/cm2 Fire Resistant (FR) shirt and FR pants
FPNs are not technically part of 2
2
8 cal/cm FR shirt, FR pants, cotton underwear
the NEC. 3
2
25 cal/cm Two layers FR clothing, cotton underwear
2
4 40 cal/cm FR shirt, FR pants, multilayer flash suit,
OSHA has NOT specifically cotton underwear
addressed Arc Flash, however
existing and new provisions Other:
impact how it is addressed: Face Protection Face Shield and/or safety glasses
Hand Protection Leather over rubber for arc flash protection
OSHA 1910.132(d), and Leather work boots above 4 cal/cm2
1926.28(a). The employer is
responsible to assess the
NFPA 70E provides THREE
hazards in the work place,
acceptable methods of Q. Are there
select, have, and use the correct
Personal Protective Equipment
determining flash protection advantages of doing
Boundary: detailed arc flash
(PPE) and document the
assessment.
1. Simplified Table 220.2(B)(2)
calculations with
,220.6(B) (9) EasyPower software?
OSHA has tasked the NFPA
with addressing both shock and Recently, the PCIC safety
2. Analysis based on NFPA
arc flash hazards in detail for Committee recommended
70E Annex B
OSHA adoption (discussions that Arc Flash Calculations be
PCIC 2003). completed in conjunction with
3. Analysis based on
IEEE-1584 Standards Short Circuit Calculations and
FAQ
Advantages of Detailed Calculations:
1. More realistic risk assessment 4. Self-documenting---helps assure
compliance with safety standards.
2. Helps insure worker safety.
5. Can result in worker productivity
3. Increases compliance by workers savings of thousands of dollars on
compared to overly conservative an annual basis
blanket Rules.