ArcFlash PDF

PSS®SINCAL 15.
5
Arc Flash
Arc Flash Calculations in Electrical Networks
Published by
Siemens AG
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SIEMENS PSS SINCAL Arc Flash Manual
Preface
Preface
The PSS SINCAL manuals can be divided into three parts:
● the PSS SINCAL System Manual

● technical manuals for electrical and pipe networks
● the database description
The PSS SINCAL System Manual contains a general description for using the application.
The technical manuals for electrical networks contain detailed descriptions of the various
calculation methods for electrical networks - such as load flow, or short circuit calculations - and
their input data.
The technical manuals for pipe networks contain detailed descriptions of the various calculation
methods for pipe networks - water, gas and heating/cooling - and their input data.
The database description contains a complete description of the data models for electrical and
pipe networks.
Copyright
This manual and all the information and illustrations contained in it are copyrighted.
SIEMENS retains all rights, in particular the right to publish, translate, reprint, photocopy, make
microcopies or electronically store in a database.
Previously expressed written permission from SIEMENS is required for any reproduction or use
beyond the limits specified by copyright law.
Warranty
Even though our manuals are thoroughly checked for errors, no liability can be taken for errors
found or any resulting problems or difficulties. Modifications are frequently made to the text and the
software as a part of our routine updates.
PSS® is a registered trademark of SIEMENS AG

Copyright SIEMENS AG 2019 All Rights Reserved
Table of Contents
1. Introduction to Arc Flash 7
2. Arc Flash Calculation Method according to IEEE 8
2.1 Terminology 8
2.2 Network Modeling for Arc Flash Calculations according to IEEE 10
2.2.1 Determining Nodes for Arc Flash 10
2.2.2 Determining Adjacent Protection Devices 10
2.2.3 Determining Arc Current 10
2.2.4 Determining Incident Energy for Protection Device 12
2.2.5 Determining Incident Energy at Fault Node 17
2.2.6 Current Limit for Protection Devices 19
2.2.7 Direct Determination of Incident Energy for Fuses 20
2.2.8 Direct Determination of Incident Energy for Low-Voltage Circuit Breaker 20
2.2.9 Determination of Arc Flash Boundary 21
2.2.10 Direct Determination of Arc Flash Boundary 23
2.2.11 National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Regulations 23
2.2.12 Coefficients According to the IEEE 1584 2018 Procedure 23
3. Arc Flash Calculation Method according to BGI/GUV-I 5188 28
3.1 Terminology 29
3.2 Network Modeling for Arc Flash Calculations according to BGI/GUV-I 5188 30
3.2.1 Determining Nodes for Arc Flash according to BGI/GUV-I 5188 30
3.2.2 Determining Adjacent Protection Devices 30
3.2.3 Determining Arc Short Circuit Current 30
3.2.4 Determining the Arcing Power 31
3.2.5 Determination of the Arcing Energy in the Event of a Fault 31
3.2.6 Determination of the Equivalent Arcing Energy 31
3.2.7 Determining the Arc Flash Protection Class 32
4. Example for Arc Flash 33
4.1 Presetting Calculation Settings 33

4.2 Creating and Editing Arc Flash Configurations 33
4.2.1 Creating Protection Devices 36
April 2019
PSS SINCAL Arc Flash Manual SIEMENS
Table of Contents
4.3 Assigning Arc Flash Configurations to Nodes 37

4.4 Starting the Arc Flash Calculations 37
4.5 Displaying and Evaluating the Results 38
4.5.1 Results in the Network Diagram 38
4.5.2 Labels for System Designation 41
April 2019
Introduction to Arc Flash
1. Introduction to Arc Flash
PSS SINCAL Arc Flash is an effective tool for calculating incident energy for arcs in low- and
medium-voltage networks. The calculations are based on 3-phase short circuit calculations
according to:
● VDE or IEC
● ANSI or IEEE
● VDE or IEC taking into account pre-fault system loading
● Engineering Recommendation G74
Arc Flash according to IEEE
PSS SINCAL uses empirical IEEE formulas to calculate the arc current from the 3-phase fault
current and then uses this to examine protection-device pickup in order to calculate the tripping
time (arcing time). With the help of time, current and the system configuration, PSS SINCAL
calculates the incident energy.
The required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is also determined according to National Fire
Protection Association (NFPA) 70 E 2015.
Only 3-phase fault currents are used, since 1- or 2-phase faults with arcs according to IEEE 1584
always become 3-phase.
Arc Flash according to BGI/GUV-I 5188
The arc protection class for personal protective equipment against the thermal effects of an arc
flash (PPEgS) is also determined. This is then used to examine protection-device pickup in order to
calculate the tripping time (arcing time). With the help of time, current and the system configuration,
PSS SINCAL calculates the incident energy.
This manual contains the following chapters:
● Arc Flash Calculation Method according to IEEE

● Arc Flash Calculation Method according to BGI/GUV-I 5188
● Example for Arc Flash
Arc Flash Procedure
To perform arc flash calculations or enter special data for arc flash calculations, you first need to
switch ON the calculation methods for Arc Flash and Protection Device Coordination.
For the Arc Flash calculations, the following steps are necessary:
● Create protection devices

● Determine the arc flash configuration for the nodes and busbars
● Determine the short circuit procedure in the short circuit calculation settings
April 2019 7
Arc Flash Calculation Method according to IEEE
2. Arc Flash Calculation Method according to IEEE
The purpose of Arc Flash calculations according to IEEE is to determine the incident energy, the
arc flash hazard distance and required personal protective equipment.
Arc Flash calculations are based on 3-phase short circuit current calculations and a subsequent
examination of protection-device pickup to determine the arcing time.
Arc Flash Calculation Procedure according to IEEE
Unload and check all the network data
Solve the load flow
Determine load with configuration data
Calculate short circuit at the node
Determine adjacent protection devices
Determine arc current
Adjust protection device currents to arc current
Determine pickup for adjacent protection devices
Determine incident energy
Determine boundary and approaches
Determine PPE according to NFPA
Are there still more nodes Yes

with a configuration?
No
Prepare results
2.1 Terminology
This chapter explains the most important terms for the arc flash according to IEEE.
8 April 2019
Arc Flash Hazard
A dangerous condition associated with the release of energy caused by an electrical arc.
Arc Fault Current
Fault current flowing through electrical arc plasma, also called arc fault current and arc current.
Bolted Fault Current
Short circuit between two conductors where the impedance or resistance is basically zero.
Electrical Hazard
A dangerous condition in which inadvertent or unintentional contact or equipment failure can result
in shock, arc flash burn, thermal burn or blast.
Electrical Shock
Physical stimulus when electrical current passes through the body.
Exposed Body Parts
Body parts that are either not insulated, or exposed that could inadvertently touch or come too
close to something at less than a safe distance.
Flash Protection Boundary
A minimum distance that must be maintained from systems under live voltage to prevent second
degree burns in case of an arc.
Incident Energy
The effect of energy at a certain distance on a surface generated during an electrical arc event.
Incident energy is measured in joules per centimeter squared (J/cm 2).
Shock Hazard
A dangerous condition associated with the possible release of energy caused by contact or
approach to body parts.
Working Distance
The distance between a possible arc point and the head of the worker performing a task in a live
system.
Correction Factor CF
Correction factor for system size.
April 2019 9
VCB
Vertical conductors/electrodes inside a metal box/enclosure.
VCBB
Vertical conductors/electrodes terminated in an insulating barrier inside a metal box/enclosure.
HCB
Horizontal conductors/electrodes inside a metal box/enclosure.
VOA
Vertical conductors/electrodes in open air.
HOA
Horizontal conductors/electrodes in open air.
2.2 Network Modeling for Arc Flash Calculations according to IEEE

The following chapter explains how PSS SINCAL calculates network topology and the parameters
needed for Arc Flash calculations.
2.2.1 Determining Nodes for Arc Flash
PSS SINCAL determines Arc Flash for all nodes and busbars that have Arc Flash configuration
data assigned to them and are attached in all three phases.
2.2.2 Determining Adjacent Protection Devices
PSS SINCAL calculates the adjacent protection devices when it investigates the network starting
from the nodes under observation. The direction of the protection devices is considered in this type
of network analysis.
According to IEEE 1584, Arc Flash calculations assume that the protection is set correctly and that
these adjacent protection devices trip the faults.
2.2.3 Determining Arc Current
First PSS SINCAL calculates the total 3-phase bolted fault current at the node depending on what
short circuit procedure was set.
10 April 2019
Determination according to IEEE 1584 2002
Then PSS SINCAL calculates the arc current from the bolted short circuit current for the 3-phase
busbar according to the voltage as follows.
Voltage < 1 kV
lg 𝐼𝑎𝑟𝑐 = 𝑘𝑡 + 0.662 × lg 𝐼𝑏𝑓 + 0.0966 × 𝑉𝑛 + 0.000526 × 𝐺 + 0.5588 × 𝑉𝑛 × lg 𝐼𝑏𝑓

− 0.00304 × 𝐺 × lg 𝐼𝑏𝑓
𝐼𝑎𝑟𝑐 = 10lg 𝐼𝑎𝑟𝑐
Voltage ≥ 1 kV
lg 𝐼𝑎𝑟𝑐 = 0.00402 + 0.983 × lg 𝐼𝑏𝑓
𝐼𝑎𝑟𝑐 = 10lg 𝐼𝑎𝑟𝑐
lg … log 10
lg Iarc … Normalized arc current
Iarc … Arc current
Ibf … Bolted 3-phase short circuit
kt … Factor according to system configuration (open: -0.153, and closed: -0.097)
Vn … Rated voltage (phase-phase)
Then PSS SINCAL reduces all currents in the network by the factor for arc current to total bolted
fault current. This applies the arc effect to the protection device currents with a linear factor.
Determination according to IEEE 1584 2018
Depending on the voltage, the average values Iarc_Voc for 600 V, 2700 V and 14300 V are
determined as follows from the bolted 3-phase busbar short circuit current and the k factors from
the table of the Coefficients for determining the arc fault current.
𝐼𝑎𝑟𝑐_𝑉𝑜𝑐 = 10(𝑘1+𝑘2𝑙𝑔𝐼𝑏𝑓 +𝑘3𝑙𝑔𝐺) (𝑘4𝐼𝑏𝑓

6 5
+ 𝑘5𝐼𝑏𝑓 4
+ 𝑘8𝐼𝑏𝑓 + 𝑘9𝐼𝑏𝑓 + 𝑘10)
Ibf … Bolted fault current for three-phase faults (symmetrical rms value) (kA)
Iarc_Voc … Average rms arcing current (kA)
G … Gap distance between electrodes (mm)
k1 to k10 … Coefficients for determining the arc fault current
lg … log 10
The average values are then used as follows to determine the interpolation values I arc_1, Iarc_2 and
Iarc_3.
𝐼𝑎𝑟𝑐_2700 − 𝐼𝑎𝑟𝑐_600
𝐼𝑎𝑟𝑐_1 = (𝑉𝑜𝑐 − 2.7) + 𝐼𝑎𝑟𝑐_2700
2.1
April 2019 11
𝐼𝑎𝑟𝑐_14300 − 𝐼𝑎𝑟𝑐_2700
𝐼𝑎𝑟𝑐_2 = (𝑉𝑜𝑐 − 14.3) + 𝐼𝑎𝑟𝑐_14300
11.6
𝐼𝑎𝑟𝑐_1 (2.7 − 𝑉𝑜𝑐 ) 𝐼𝑎𝑟𝑐_2 (𝑉𝑜𝑐 − 0.6)

𝐼𝑎𝑟𝑐_3 = +
2.1 2.1
Iarc_1 … First Iarc interpolation term between 600 V and 2700 V (kA)
Iarc_2 … Second Iarc interpolation term used when Voc is greater than 2700 V (kA)
Iarc_3 … Third Iarc interpolation term used when Voc is less than 2700 V (kA)
Voc … Open-circuit voltage (system voltage) (kV)
The interpolation values Iarc_1, Iarc_2, Iarc_3 and the rated voltage Voc make it possible to calculate the
final value for the arc current Iarc. The following two different models are used here:
● Model 208 V ≤ Voc ≤ 600 V

● Model 600 V < Voc ≤ 2700 V
If the voltage is in the range 600 V < Voc ≤ 2700 V, the following is used
𝐼𝑎𝑟𝑐 = 𝐼𝑎𝑟𝑐_3
If the voltage Voc > 2700 V, the following is used:
𝐼𝑎𝑟𝑐 = 𝐼𝑎𝑟𝑐_2
The arc current Iarc is determined with the following equation for the 208 V ≤ Voc ≤ 600 V:
1
𝐼𝑎𝑟𝑐 =
0.6 2 1 0.62 − 𝑉𝑜𝑐 2
√[ ] × [ − ( )]
𝑉𝑜𝑐 𝐼𝑎𝑟𝑐_600 2 0.62 × 𝐼𝑏𝑓 2
Voc … Open-circuit voltage (kV)

Ibf … Bolted fault current for three-phase faults (symmetrical effictive value) (kA)
Iarc … Final rms arcing current at the specified Voc (kA)
Iarc_600 … rms arcing current at Voc = 600 V (kA)
2.2.4 Determining Incident Energy for Protection Device
How incident energy is calculated depends on the system configuration. This means that the
voltage, the expected currents and the system dimensions specify the procedure used to calculate
incident energy.
The formulas used for calculating the arc flash apply to tripping times up to 2 seconds.
The tripping time of the protection devices is determined using the arcing current and the reduced
arcing current (85 percent). The protection devices must be able to trip both currents.
This therefore provides two currents and two tripping times for determining the incident energy. The
higher incident energy must be used to determine the arc flash hazard.
12 April 2019
Empirical Model according to IEEE 1584 2002
The empirical model is valid for voltages from 208 V to 15 kV, currents from 700 A to 106 kA, and a
distance between conductors from 13 mm to 152 mm.
PSS SINCAL calculates normalized incident energy for a time of 0.2 seconds at a distance of
610 mm from the arc as follows:
lg 𝑊𝑁 = 𝑘𝑡1 + 𝑘𝑡2 + 1.081 × lg 𝐼𝑎𝑟𝑐 + 0.0011 × 𝐺
lg … log 10
W N … Normalized incident energy
kt1 … Factor according to system configuration (open: -0.792, and closed: -0.555)
Factor according to network configuration (ungrounded: 0.0, and grounded:
kt2 …
-0.113)
G … Distance between conductors
Then PSS SINCAL determines the actual incident energy from the normalized incident energy, the
protection device’s tripping time and the actual distance between conductors.
𝑡 610𝑥
𝑊 = 4.184 × 𝐶𝑓 × 𝑊𝑁 × × 𝑥
0.2 𝑑
W … Incident energy
Cf … Calculation factor (1.5 at V ≤ 1.0 kV, or 1.0 at V > 1 kV)
W N … Normalized incident energy
t … Smallest tripping time
d … Distance to arc
x … Factor x according to the following table
The following table shows the distance factors for determining the incident energy.
Typical gap
System voltage (kV) Equipment type Distance factor x
between conductors (mm)
Open air 10 – 40 2.000
Switchgear 32 1.473
0.208 – 1
MCC and panels 25 1.641
Cable 13 2.000
Open air 102 2.000
>1–5 Switchgear 13 – 102 0.973
Cable 13 2.000
Open air 13 – 153 2.000
> 5 – 15 Switchgear 153 0.973
Cable 13 2.000
April 2019 13
The requirements for the empirical model are as follows:
● voltages must be between 208 V to 15000 V

● the frequency must be 50 Hz or 60 Hz
● operating distances ≥ 305 mm
If these requirements are not fulfilled, the incident energy must be calculated according to the Lee
method.
The actual incident energy W is determined using the following values:
● Equivalent EEC system size

● Correction factor CF
● Source voltage/open-circuit voltage Voc
● Average values EVoc for 600 V, 2700 V and 14300 V
● Interpolation values E1, E2 and E3
Equivalent EES System Size
The equivalent width B1 and the equivalent height H1 are determined with the following equations:
𝑉𝑜𝑐 + 𝐴
𝐵1 = (660.4 + (𝐵 − 660.4) × ( )) × 25.4−1
𝐵
𝑉𝑜𝑐 + 𝐴
𝐻1 = (660.4 + (𝐻 − 660.4) × ( )) × 25.4−1
𝐵
H1 … Equivalent enclosure height

W 1 … Equivalent enclosure width
W … Actual enclosure width (mm)
H … Actual enclosure height (mm)
Voc … Open-circuit voltage (system voltage) (kV)
A … A constant equal to 4 for VCB and 10 for VCBB and HCB
B … A constant equal to 20 for VCB, 24 for VCBB and 22 for HCB
The equivalent sizes B1 and H1 are used to determine the equivalent EES system size:
𝐻1 + 𝑊1
𝐸𝐸𝑆 =
2
H1 … Equivalent enclosure height

W1 … Equivalent enclosure width
EES … Equivalent enclosure size
14 April 2019
System Type – "Typical" or "Shallow"
The following types are used:
● Typical system
● Shallow system
The system type is determined internally. The system is considered "shallow" if the following
conditions are fulfilled.
● The system voltage is less than 600 V AC

● Both the height as well as the width are less than 508 mm
● The system is 203.2 mm deep or less
If one of these conditions is not fulfilled, the system is considered "typical".
Calculating the Correction Factor CF
The correction factor CF is required for determining the incident energy W. The calculation
depends on the system type.
If it is a typical system, the following applies:
𝐶𝐹 = 𝑏1 × 𝐸𝐸𝑆 2 + 𝑏2 × 𝐸𝐸𝑆 + 𝑏3
The correction factor is calculated as follows for a shallow system type:
1
𝐶𝐹 =
𝑏1 × 𝐸𝐸𝑆 2 + 𝑏2 × 𝐸𝐸𝑆 + 𝑏3
There is no correction for the arrangement of the conductors VOA and HOA. The following
therefore applies:
𝐶𝐹 = 1.0
b1 to b3 … Coefficients for determining the correction factor

CF … Enclosure size correction factor
EES … Equivalent enclosure size
Determining the Average Values
The average values EVoc for 600 V, 2700 V and 14300 V are determined with the following
equations:
12.552
𝐸𝑉𝑜𝑐 = 𝑇 × 10𝑓𝐸𝑥𝑝
50
𝑘3𝐼𝑎𝑟𝑐_𝑉𝑜𝑐
𝑓𝐸𝑥𝑝 = 𝑘1 + 𝑘2𝑙𝑔𝐺 + 7 6 5 4 3 2
+ 𝑘11𝑙𝑔𝐼𝑏𝑓
𝑘4𝐼𝑏𝑓+ 𝑘5𝐼𝑏𝑓+ 𝑘6𝐼𝑏𝑓 + 𝑘7𝐼𝑏𝑓 + 𝑘8𝐼𝑏𝑓 + 𝑘9𝐼𝑏𝑓 + 𝑘10𝐼𝑏𝑓
1
+ 𝑘12𝑙𝑔𝐷 + 𝑘13𝑙𝑔𝐼𝑎𝑟𝑐_𝑥 + 𝑙𝑔
𝐶𝐹
April 2019 15
For ≤ 600 V:
𝐼𝑎𝑟𝑐_𝑥 = 𝐼𝑎𝑟𝑐_𝑚𝑖𝑛
For all other values:
𝐼𝑎𝑟𝑐_𝑥 = 𝐼𝑎𝑟𝑐_𝑉𝑜𝑐
EVoc … Incident energy at Voc = 600/2700/14300 V (J/cm 2)

T … Arc duration (ms)
G … Gap distance between conductors (electrodes) (mm)
Iarc_Voc … rms arcing current for Voc = 600/2700/14300 V (kA)
Iarc_min … rms arcing current for Voc ≤ 600 V (kA)
D … Distance between electrodes and colarimeters (working distance) (mm)
CF … Correction factor for enclosure size (CF = 1 for VOA and HOA configurations)
lg … log 10
k1 to k13 … Coefficients for calculating the incident energy
Final Incident Energy W
The actual or final incident energy is calculated using the interpolation values E1, E2 and E3. The
interpolation values are calculated as follows:
𝐸2700 − 𝐸600
𝐸1 = (𝑉𝑜𝑐 − 2.7) + 𝐸2700
2.1
𝐸14300 − 𝐸2700
𝐸2 = (𝑉𝑜𝑐 − 14.3) + 𝐸14300
11.6
𝐸1 (2.7 − 𝑉𝑜𝑐 ) 𝐸2 (𝑉𝑜𝑐 − 0.6)

𝐸3 = +
2.1 2.1
E1 … First E interpolation term between 600 V and 2700 V (J/cm2)

E2 … Second E interpolation term when Voc is greater than 2700 V (J/cm 2)
E3 … Third E interpolation term when Voc is less than 2700 V (J/cm 2)
If the voltage is in the range 600 V < Voc ≤ 2700 V, the following is used:
𝐸 = 𝐸3
If the voltage Voc > 2700 V, the following is used:
𝐸 = 𝐸2
If the voltage Voc ≤ 600 V, the following is used:
𝐸 = 𝐸 ≤ 600
16 April 2019
Lee Method
If the prerequisites for the empirical model are unattainable, PSS SINCAL calculates incident
energy with the Lee method.
𝑡
𝑊 = 2.142 × 106 × 𝑉𝑛 × 𝐼𝑏𝑓 ×
𝑑2
W … Incident energy
Un … Rated voltage
Ibf … Bolted 3-phase short circuit current
t … Smallest tripping time
d … Distance to arc
Unique Features
As the arc current cannot be defined exactly and these fluctuations have an effect on the tripping
time of the protection devices, the tripping times and incident energy are determined twice.
The arc currents are reduced to 85 % for the IEEE 1584 2002 procedure. For the IEEE 1584 2018
procedure they are defined as follows.
𝐼𝑎𝑟𝑐_𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 𝐼𝑎𝑟𝑐 × (1 − 0.5 × 𝑉𝑎𝑟𝐶𝑓 )
𝑉𝑎𝑟𝐶𝑓 = 𝑘1𝑉𝑜𝑐 6 + 𝑘2𝑉𝑜𝑐 5 + 𝑘3𝑉𝑜𝑐 4 + 𝑘4𝑉𝑜𝑐 3 + 𝑘5𝑉𝑜𝑐 2 + 𝑘6𝑉𝑜𝑐 + 𝑘7
VarCf … Arcing current variaton correction factor

Iarc … Final or intermediate rms arcing current (kA)
Iarc_min … Second rms arcing current reduced based on the variation correction factor (kA)
Voc … Open-circuit voltage between 0.208 kV and 15.0 kV
k1 to k7 … Coefficients for determining the reduced current
If there is more than one protection device at the same terminal, PSS SINCAL only includes the
one with the smallest tripping time in the calculations.
2.2.5 Determining Incident Energy at Fault Node
IEEE 1584 specifies that the incident energy must be defined from the total fault current and the
tripping characteristic curve of the protection device. For this incident energy needs to be
calculated twice. Once you use the total arc current and then you use the arc current reduced to
85 %. You do this because, under certain conditions, protection devices do not trip and longer fault
duration can result in greater incident energy. As the results, PSS SINCAL identifies the higher
incident energy.
If the fault is limited by more than one protection device, there is no clear directive for determining
the incident energy.
April 2019 17
The incident energy can be determined according to the settings of Protection Coordination –
Calculation Settings.
Fraction
The incident energy calculated at the node is the sum of the proportional incident energy. The
proportional incident energy is calculated here from the proportional arc current and the associated
tripping time.
𝑊𝑡𝑜𝑡 = ∑ 𝑊𝑓𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑡 = ∑ 𝑓(𝐼𝑓𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑡 , 𝑡𝑓𝑟𝑒𝑒 𝑓𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑡 )
This way of determining the total incident energy allows a simple way of integrating the current
limitation of protection devices. The proportional current is limited and the energy is determined
with the limited current.
Worst Case
With this examination, the arc current at the node is determined from the total bolted fault current at
the node. The tripping times of the protection devices are then calculated from the proportional arc
currents. The highest tripping time is used to calculate the incident energy.
𝑊𝑡𝑜𝑡 = 𝑓(𝐼𝑡𝑜𝑡 , 𝑡𝑓𝑟𝑒𝑒 𝑚𝑎𝑥 )
The current limitation of protection devices has an effect on the proportional fault current. The total
fault current is therefore reduced by the current reduction provided by the limitation.
𝐼𝑡𝑜𝑡 = ∑(𝐼𝑓𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑡 − 𝐼𝑓𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑡 𝑟𝑒𝑑 )
Best Case
With this examination, the arc current at the node is determined from the total bolted fault current at
currents. The smallest tripping time is used to calculate the incident energy.
𝑊𝑡𝑜𝑡 = 𝑓(𝐼𝑡𝑜𝑡 , 𝑡𝑓𝑟𝑒𝑒 𝑚𝑖𝑛 )
18 April 2019
Time Steps
With this approach, the arc current at the node is determined from the total bolted fault current at
currents. The smallest tripping time is used to calculate the incident energy of the first time step. A
temporary switch is then opened at the tripping protection device in the network, and the total
bolted fault current at the node and the tripping time of the protection devices are then determined
again. The difference in time from the previous examination is used to determine the incident
energy of the current time step.
𝑊𝑡𝑜𝑡 = ∑ 𝑊𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑝 = ∑ 𝑓(𝐼𝑡𝑜𝑡 𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑝 , 𝑡𝑓𝑟𝑒𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑝 )
2.2.6 Current Limit for Protection Devices
Fuses interrupt high fault currents during the first half cycle and limit the fault current. Taking into
account the current limiting effect, the resulting short-circuit current is lower than the initial short-
circuit current derived by a standard short-circuit current calculation neglecting this effect.
Consequently, a reduced fault current can be considered of for the incident energy calculations.
The current limiting behavior can be defined for each OC protection device in the Additional Data
tab.
The following illustration shows the current limit for fuses.
ic [kA peak]
10.0
icmax
1.0
icstart
ipstart ipmax
0.1
0.1 1.0 10.0 ip [kA eff]
ipstart … Start for current limit
April 2019 19
icstart … Minimum amplitude for limited current

ipmax … Maximum current for current limit
icmax … Maximum amplitude for limited current
Currents less that ipstart do not limit the short circuit current.
Depending on the short circuit procedure, either the surge current ipeak (VDE or IEC) or imom peak
(ANSI or IEEE) is used to calculate the current limit.
𝑖𝑝𝑒𝑎𝑘
𝑖𝑝 =
√2
𝑖𝑚𝑜𝑚 𝑝𝑒𝑎𝑘
𝑖𝑝 =
√2
The characteristic curve can be interpolated to determine the amplitude of the limited current.
Then, of course, the effective value is also used to calculate incident energy. The tripping time is
determined for the current limit as follows:
1
𝑡=
2×𝑓
t … Tripping time
f … Frequency
2.2.7 Direct Determination of Incident Energy for Fuses
For predefined classes of fuses, you can use empirical IEEE 1584 formulas to determine incident
energy directly.
PSS SINCAL contains fuse classes according to IEEE 1584 Section 5.6. These empirical formulas
are, however, only valid for a voltage of 600 V at a working distance of 455 mm.
For deviating configurations, fuse classes or rated current intensity, PSS SINCAL cannot determine
the incident energy directly.
2.2.8 Direct Determination of Incident Energy for Low-Voltage Circuit

Breaker
For predefined types of switchgear, you can use empirical IEEE 1584 formulas to determine
incident energy directly.
PSS SINCAL contains the breaker types as per the following table in accordance with the IEEE
1584 2002 procedure.
Incident energy (J/cm²) Incident energy (J/cm²)

Rating (A) Breaker type Trip unit type
480 V and lower 575 – 690 V
100 – 400 MCCB TM or M 0.189 Ibf + 0.548 0.271 Ibf + 0.180
600 – 1200 MCCB TM or M 0.223 Ibf + 1.590 0.335 Ibf + 0.380
20 April 2019
600 – 1200 MCCB E, LI 0.377 Ibf + 1.360 0.468 Ibf + 4.600

1600 – 6000 MCCB or ICCB TM or E, LI 0.448 Ibf + 3.000 0.686 Ibf + 0.165
800 – 6300 LVPCB E, LI 0.636 Ibf + 3.670 0.958 Ibf + 0.292
800 – 6300 LVPCB E, LS 4.560 Ibf + 27.230 6.860 Ibf + 2.170
These empirical formulas are, however, only valid for predefined voltage ranges, rated currents, or
a working distance of 460 mm and for currents from 700 A to 106 kA.
For deviating configurations, types of switchgear or rated currents, etc., PSS SINCAL cannot
determine the incident energy directly.
2.2.9 Determination of Arc Flash Boundary
PSS SINCAL calculates the danger limit for an incident energy of W = 5.0 J/cm 2. The danger limit
is calculated in the same way as the incident energy.

1
𝑡 610𝑋 𝑋
𝑑𝑏 = [4.184 × 𝐶𝑓 × 𝑊𝑁 × ( ) × ( )]
0.2 𝑊
The average values for 600 V, 2700 V and 14300 V are determined with the following equation.
𝐴𝐹𝐵𝑉𝑜𝑐 = 10𝑓𝐸𝑥𝑝
1 20
𝑘1 + 𝑘2𝑙𝑔𝐺 + 𝑘𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑡_𝑉𝑜𝑐 + 𝑘11𝑙𝑔𝐼𝑏𝑓 + 𝑘13𝑙𝑔𝐼𝑎𝑟𝑐_𝑉𝑜𝑐 + 𝑙𝑔 ( ) − 𝑙𝑔 ( )
𝑓𝐸𝑥𝑝 = 𝐶𝐹 𝑇
−𝑘12
𝑘3𝐼𝑎𝑟𝑐_𝑉𝑜𝑐
𝑘𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑡_𝑉𝑜𝑐 = 7 6 5 4 3 2
𝑘4𝐼𝑏𝑓 + 𝑘5𝐼𝑏𝑓 + 𝑘6𝐼𝑏𝑓 + 𝑘7𝐼𝑏𝑓 + 𝑘8𝐼𝑏𝑓 + 𝑘9𝐼𝑏𝑓 + 𝑘10𝐼𝑏𝑓
AFBVoc … Arc flash boundary for Voc = 600/2700/14300 V (mm)

G … Gap between electrodes (mm)
Iarc_Voc … rms arcing current for Voc = 600/2700/14300 V (kA)
Iarc … rms arcing current for Voc ≤ 600 V (kA)
CF … Correction factor for enclosure size (CF = 1 for VOA and HOA configurations)
T … Arc duration (ms)
lg … log 10
k1 to k13 … Coefficients for calculating the incident energy
April 2019 21
The danger limit at a rated voltage ≤ 600 V is determined with the coefficients for 600 V and the arc
current Iarc ≤ 600 V, which is determined with the equation for specifying the arc current Iarc for
voltages in the range 208 V ≤ Voc ≤ 600 V.
1
𝐼𝑎𝑟𝑐 =
0.6 2 1 0.62 − 𝑉𝑜𝑐 2
√[ ] × [ 2 −( 2 )]
𝑉𝑜𝑐 𝐼𝑎𝑟𝑐_600 0.6 × 𝐼𝑏𝑓 2
Voc … Open-circuit voltage (kV)

Iarc … Final rms arcing current at the specified Voc (kA)
Iarc_600 … rms arcing current at Voc = 600 V (kA)
Average values AFB600, AFB2700, AFB14300 enable the interpolation values AFB1, AFB2 and AFB3 to
be determined.
𝐴𝐹𝐵2700 − 𝐴𝐹𝐵600
𝐴𝐹𝐵1 = (𝑉𝑜𝑐 − 2.7) + 𝐴𝐹𝐵2700
2.1
𝐴𝐹𝐵14300 − 𝐴𝐹𝐵2700
𝐴𝐹𝐵2 = (𝑉𝑜𝑐 − 14.3) + 𝐴𝐹𝐵14300
11.6
𝐴𝐹𝐵1 (2.7 − 𝑉𝑜𝑐 ) 𝐴𝐹𝐵2 (𝑉𝑜𝑐 − 0.6)

𝐴𝐹𝐵3 = +
2.1 2.1
AFB1 … First AFB interpolation term between 600 V and 2700 V (mm)
AFB2 … Second AFB interpolation term used when Voc is greater than 2700 V (mm)
AFB3 … Third AFB interpolation term used when Voc is less than 2700 V (mm)
If the open-circuit voltage Voc is within the range 600 V < Voc <= 2700 V:
𝐴𝐹𝐵 = 𝐴𝐹𝐵3
If the open-circuit voltage Voc > 2700 V:
𝐴𝐹𝐵 = 𝐴𝐹𝐵2
If the open-circuit voltages Voc <= 600 V, it is not interpolated, so the final value is already the
average value.
𝐴𝐹𝐵 = 𝐴𝐹𝐵 ≤ 600
Lee Model
𝑡
𝑑𝑏 = √2.142 × 106 × 𝑉𝑛 × 𝐼𝑏𝑓 × ( )
𝑊
22 April 2019
2.2.10 Direct Determination of Arc Flash Boundary
For predefined types of switchgear, you can use empirical IEEE 1584 formulas to determine the
danger limit directly.
PSS SINCAL contains the breaker types as per the following table in accordance with the IEEE
1584 2002 procedure.
Incident energy (J/cm²) Incident energy (J/cm²)

Rating (A) Breaker type Trip unit type
480 V and lower 575 – 690 V
100 – 400 MCCB TM or M 9.16 Ibf + 194 11.8 Ibf + 196
600 – 1200 MCCB TM or M 8.45 Ibf + 364 11.4 Ibf + 369
600 – 1200 MCCB E, LI 12.50 Ibf + 428 14.3 Ibf + 568
1600 – 6000 MCCB or ICCB TM or E, LI 11.10 Ibf + 696 16.7 Ibf + 606
800 – 6300 LVPCB E, LI 14.50 Ibf + 786 19.1 Ibf + 864
800 – 6300 LVPCB E, LS 47.20 Ibf + 2660 62.4 Ibf + 2930
These empirical formulas are, however, only valid for predefined voltage ranges, rated currents, or
a working distance of 460 mm and for currents from 700 A to 106 kA.
For deviating configurations, types of switchgear or rated currents, etc., PSS SINCAL cannot
determine the danger limit directly.
2.2.11 National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Regulations
The NFPA 70E 2015 defines approach boundaries and the protective clothing (Personal Protective
Equipment) necessary based on incident energy.
For incident energy greater than 40.0 cal/cm 2, there is no protective clothing. Working under
voltage is forbidden for these systems.
2.2.12 Coefficients According to the IEEE 1584 2018 Procedure
The coefficients according to the IEEE 1584 2018 procedure depend on the configuration (test
arrangement) of the electrodes or the dimensions of the limitation.
The following tables use the original terms from IEEE 1584 2018 for the configuration (test
arrangement) of the electrodes:
● VCB:
● VCBB:
● HCB:
● VOA:
● HOA:
April 2019 23
Coefficients for Determining the Arc Fault Current
This section lists the coefficients for determining the arc current according to the arrangement of
the conductors.
600 V 2700 V 14300 V

VCB
k1 -0.04287 0.0065 0.005795
k2 1.035 1.001 1.015
k3 -0.083 -0.024 -0.011
k4 0 -1.56E-12 -1.56E-12
k5 0 4.56E-10 4.56E-10
k6 -4.78E-09 -4.19E-08 -4.19E-08
k7 1.96E-06 8.35E-07 8.35E-07
k8 -0.000229 5.48E-05 5.48E-05
k9 0.003141 -0.003191 -0.003191
k10 1.092 0.9729 0.9729
VCBB
k1 -0.017432 0.002823 0.014827
k2 0.98 0.995 1.01
k3 -0.05 -0.0125 -0.01
k4 0 0 0
k5 0 -9.20E-11 -9.20E-11
k6 -5.77E-09 2.90E-08 2.90E-08
k7 2.52E-06 -3.26E-06 -3.26E-06
k8 -0.00034 0.0001569 0.0001569
k9 0.01187 -0.004003 -0.004003
k10 1.013 0.9825 0.9825
HCB
k1 0.054922 0.001011 0.008693
k2 0.988 1.003 0.999
k3 -0.11 -0.0249 -0.02
k4 0 0 0
k5 0 0 -5.04E-11
k6 -5.38E-09 4.86E-10 2.23E-08
k7 2.32E-06 -1.81E-07 -3.05E-06
k8 -0.000302 -9.13E-06 0.000116
k9 0.0091 -0.0007 -0.001145
k10 0.9725 0.9881 0.9839
VOA
k1 0.043785 -0.02395 0.005371
k2 1.04 1.006 1.0102
k3 -0.18 -0.0188 -0.029
k4 0 -1.56E-12 -1.56E-12
k5 0 4.56E-10 4.56E-10
k6 -4.78E-09 -4.19E-08 -4.19E-08
k7 1.96E-06 8.35E-07 8.35E-07
k8 -0.000229 5.48E-05 5.48E-05
k9 0.003141 -0.003191 -0.003191
k10 1.092 0.9729 0.9729
24 April 2019
HOA
k1 0.111147 0.000435 0.000904
k2 1.008 1.006 0.999
k3 -0.24 -0.038 -0.02
k4 0 0 0
k5 0 0 0
k6 -3.90E-09 7.86E-10 7.86E-10
k7 1.64E-06 -1.91E-07 -1.91E-07
k8 -0.000197 -9.13E-06 -9.13E-06
k9 0.002615 -0.0007 -0.0007
k10 1.1 0.9981 0.9981
Coefficients for Calculating the Reduced Current
This section lists the coefficients for determining the reduced current according to the arrangement
of the conductors.
VCB VCBB HCB VOA HOA

k1 0 1.14E-06 0 9.56E-07 0
k2 -1.4269E-06 -6.03E-05 -3.10E-06 -5.15E-05 -3.16E-06
k3 8.3137E-05 0.0012758 0.00016405 0.0011161 0.0001682
k4 -0.0019382 -0.013778 -0.0033609 -0.01242 -0.0034607
k5 0.022366 0.080217 0.033308 0.075125 0.034124
k6 -0.12645 -0.24066 -0.16182 -0.23584 -0.1599
k7 0.30226 0.33524 0.34627 0.33696 0.34629
Coefficients for Calculating the Incident Energy
This section lists the coefficients for determining the incident energy according to the arrangement
of the conductors.
600 V 2700 V 14300 V

VCB
k1 0.753364 2.40021 3.825917
k2 0.566 0.165 0.11
k3 1.752636 0.354202 -0.999749
k4 0 -1.56E-12 -1.56E-12
k5 0 4.56E-10 4.56E-10
k6 -4.78E-09 -4.19E-08 -4.19E-08
k7 1.962E-06 8.35E-07 8.35E-07
k8 -0.000229 5.48E-05 5.48E-05
k9 3.14E-03 -0.003191 -0.003191
k10 1.092 0.9729 0.9729
k11 0 0 0
k12 -1.598 -1.569 -1.568
k13 0.957 0.9778 0.99
VCBB
k1 3.068459 3.870592 3.644309
April 2019 25
k2 0.26 0.185 0.215

k3 -0.098107 -7.37E-01 -0.585522
k4 0 0 0
k5 0 -9.20E-11 -9.20E-11
k6 -5.77E-09 2.90E-08 2.90E-08
k7 2.524E-06 -3.26E-06 -3.26E-06
k8 -0.00034 0.0001569 0.0001569
k9 0.01187 -0.004003 -0.004003
k10 1.01E+00 0.9825 0.9825
k11 -0.06 0.00E+00 0
k12 -1.809 -1.742 -1.677
k13 1.19 1.09 1.06
HCB
k1 4.073745 3.486391 3.044516
k2 0.344 0.177 0.125
k3 -0.370259 -0.193101 0.245106
k4 0 0 0
k5 0.00E+00 0 -5.04E-11
k6 -5.38E-09 4.86E-10 2.23E-08
k7 2.316E-06 -1.81E-07 -3.05E-06
k8 -0.000302 -9.13E-06 0.000116
k9 0.0091 -0.0007 -0.001145
k10 0.9725 0.9881 0.9839
k11 0 0.027 0
k12 -2.03 -1.723 -1.655
k13 1.036 1.055 1.084
VOA
k1 0.679294 3.880724 3.405454
k2 0.746 0.105 0.12
k3 1.222636 -1.906033 -0.93245
k4 0 -1.56E-12 -1.56E-12
k5 0 4.56E-10 4.56E-10
k6 -4.78E-09 -4.19E-08 -4.19E-08
k7 1.962E-06 8.35E-07 8.35E-07
k8 -0.000229 5.48E-05 5.48E-05
k9 0.003141 -0.003191 -0.003191
k10 1.092 0.9729 0.9729
k11 0 0 0
k12 -1.598 -1.515 -1.534
k13 0.997 1.115 0.979
HOA
k1 3.470417 3.616266 2.04049
k2 0.465 0.149 0.177
k3 -0.261863 -0.761561 1.005092
k4 0 0 0
k5 0 0 0
k6 -3.90E-09 7.86E-10 7.86E-10
k7 1.641E-06 -1.91E-07 -1.91E-07
k8 -0.000197 -9.13E-06 -9.13E-06
k9 0.002615 -0.0007 -0.0007
k10 1.1 0.9981 0.9981
26 April 2019
k11 0 0 -0.05
k12 -1.99 -1.639 -1.633
k13 1.04 1.078 1.151
Coefficients for Determining the Correction Factor
This section lists the coefficients for determining the correction factor according to the arrangement
of the conductors.
VCB VCBB HCB

Typical enclosure
b1 -0.000302 -0.0002976 -0.0001923
b2 0.03441 0.032 0.01935
b3 0.4325 0.479 0.6899
Shallow enclosure
b1 0.002222 -0.002778 -0.0005556
b2 -0.02556 0.1194 0.03722
b3 6.22E-01 -0.2778 0.4778
There are no coefficients for the VOA and HOA configuration (test arrangement).
April 2019 27
Arc Flash Calculation Method according to BGI/GUV-I 5188
3. Arc Flash Calculation Method according to BGI/GUV-I 5188
The aim of the arc flash calculation is to determine the arc flash energy, the equivalent arc flash
energy, and from this the necessary personal protective equipment expressed as the arc flash
protection class.
The arc flash calculation is based on two 3-phase short circuit current calculations.
● The prospective 3-phase short circuit current is used to determine the arcing power.
● The minimum 3-phase short circuit current is used to determine the tripping current with a
subsequent examination of the pickup of protection devices in order to determine the arcing
time.
28 April 2019
Arc Flash Calculation Procedure according to BGI/GUV-I 5188
Unload and check all the network data
Solve the load flow
Determine load with configuration data
Calculate maximum short circuit at the node
Calculate minimum short circuit at the node
Determine adjacent protection devices
Determine arc current
Adjust protection device currents to arc current
Determine pickup for adjacent protection devices
Determine the clearing time
Determine the arcing energy and the arcing power
Determine the arcing energy of the test classes
Determine the protection class
Are there still more nodes Yes

with a configuration?
No
Prepare results
3.1 Terminology
This chapter explains the important terms for the arc flash according to BGI/GUV-I 5188.
Personal Protective Equipment against the Thermal Effects of an Arc Flash (PPEgS)
Any medium designed to be worn or held by a person is considered as personal protective

equipment against the thermal effects of an arc flash (PPEgS). This should protect against the
thermal hazards of an arc flash.
April 2019 29
Prospective Short Circuit Current
The maximum anticipated current that flows when the impedance at the fault location is negligible.
Transmission Factor
Factor that describes the spatial propagation of the thermal impact of the arc flash in the work
environment. It is determined by the geometric relationships of the equipment at the workplace.
Equivalent Arcing Energy
Protection level of the PPEgS resulting from test level of the PPE at the specific working distance
and transmission factor.
Current Limiting Factor
Ratio between the actual arc flash short circuit current and the prospective short circuit current.
Reference Arcing Power
Ratio of the arcing power to the short circuit power of the electrical network at the fault location.
3.2 Network Modeling for Arc Flash Calculations according to

BGI/GUV-I 5188
The following chapter explains how PSS SINCAL calculates network topology and the parameters
needed for Arc Flash calculations.
3.2.1 Determining Nodes for Arc Flash according to BGI/GUV-I 5188
PSS SINCAL determines Arc Flash for all nodes and busbars that have Arc Flash configuration
data assigned to them and are attached in all three phases.
3.2.2 Determining Adjacent Protection Devices
PSS SINCAL calculates the adjacent protection devices when it investigates the network starting
from the nodes under observation. The direction of the protection devices is considered in this type
of network analysis.
According to BGI/GUV-I 5188, Arc Flash calculations assume that the protection is set correctly
and that these adjacent protection devices trip the faults.
3.2.3 Determining Arc Short Circuit Current
First PSS SINCAL calculates the total 3-phase bolted fault current at the node depending on what
short circuit procedure was set.
30 April 2019
Then PSS SINCAL calculates the arc current from the bolted short circuit current for the 3-phase
busbar according to the voltage using the current limiting factor as follows.
𝐼𝑘𝑎𝑟𝑐 = 𝑘𝑏 × 𝐼𝑘"𝑚𝑖𝑛
For voltages > 1 kV the limiting property of the arc flash can be disregarded (k b = 1.0).
In the low-voltage range it is generally considered to be safe if a current limitation of 50 % is

assumed (kb = 0.5).
According to the authoritative technical publication "Elektrische Schutzeinrichtungen in

Industrienetzen und Anlagen", the current limiting factor is determined as a function of rated
voltage Vn, conductor gap d, arc flash voltage Varc (Varc = f(Vn, a) and the ratio R/X at the short
circuit location (kb = f(Varc,R/X)). A frequency of 80 % is recommended for determining the arc flash
voltage.
Then PSS SINCAL reduces all currents in the network by the current limiting factor. This applies
the arc effect to the protection device currents with a linear factor.
3.2.4 Determining the Arcing Power
The arcing power Parc is determined from the reference arcing power k Parc and the maximum short
circuit power Sk"max.
𝑃𝑎𝑟𝑐 = 𝑘𝑃𝑎𝑟𝑐 × 𝑆𝑘"𝑚𝑎𝑥
For worst case examinations and plant configurations not in compliance with BGI/GUV-I the
following applies:
0.29
𝑘𝑃𝑎𝑟𝑐 =
𝑅 0.17
𝑋
According to the authoritative technical literature "Elektrische Schutzeinrichtungen in

Industrienetzen und Anlagen" the reference arcing power is determined as a function of the rated
voltage Vn, conductor gap d, arc flash voltage Varc (Varc = f(Vn, d) and the ratio R/X at the short
circuit location (kb = f(Varc,R/X)). A frequency of 50 % is recommended for determining the arc flash
voltage.
3.2.5 Determination of the Arcing Energy in the Event of a Fault
The arcing energy in the event of a fault is determined from the arcing power PLB and the clearing
time t.
𝑊𝑎𝑟𝑐 = 𝑃𝑎𝑟𝑐 × 𝑡
3.2.6 Determination of the Equivalent Arcing Energy
The equivalent arcing energy is determined with the energies of the relevant test class
● Class 1: W arcP1 = 158 kJ
April 2019 31
● Class 2: W arcP2 = 318 kJ
as well as the working distance a and the transmission factor kt:
1 2
𝑊𝑎𝑟𝑐𝐸1 = 𝑊𝑎𝑟𝑐𝑃1 × ( ) × 𝑘𝑡
300.0
1 2
𝑊𝑎𝑟𝑐𝐸2 = 𝑊𝑎𝑟𝑐𝑃2 × ( ) × 𝑘𝑡
300.0
3.2.7 Determining the Arc Flash Protection Class
The arc flash protection class is determined by comparing the arcing energy in the event of a fault
with the equivalent arcing energies of the relevant test class.
● Class 1: for W arc < W arcE1

● Class 2: for W arcE1 < W arc < W arcE2
● Other measure or clearing for W arcE2 < W arc
32 April 2019
Example for Arc Flash
4. Example for Arc Flash
Below is a simple example of how Arc Flash works. The following descriptions show:
● Presetting Calculation Settings

● Creating and Editing Arc Flash Configurations
● Assigning Arc Flash Configurations to Nodes
● Starting the Arc Flash Calculations
● Displaying and Evaluating the Results
Basic Data
All descriptions are based on the following example network:
When you install PSS SINCAL, the program automatically provides a network ("Example OC"),
which can be used to check the simulation procedure.
To calculate Arc Flash, Arc Flash in the Calculate – Methods menu has to be activated (see
Presetting Calculation Methods in the chapter on User Interface in the User Manual).
4.1 Presetting Calculation Settings

The prerequisite for the Arc Flash calculations is an existing electrical network where the relevant
data have been entered correctly for the short circuit calculations.
The short circuit procedure calculates bolted short circuit currents. Preset the short circuit method
in the Short Circuit – Calculation Settings.
4.2 Creating and Editing Arc Flash Configurations

Arc Flash configuration describes the system configuration for nodes and busbars and defines the
characteristic data such as construction type, rated voltage, working distance, etc.
April 2019 33
Select Data – Protection Device Coordination – Arc Flash Configuration in the menu to open
the dialog box for creating and editing Arc Flash configurations.
This dialog box lists all Arc Flash configurations in the network. You can insert new Arc Flash
configurations as well as edit or delete existing ones. You can assign globally predefined Arc Flash
configurations to the nodes and busbars.
Voltage sets the equipment’s line-line voltage.
Conductor Gap is required for arc current.
Working Distance is required for incident energy.
The Enclosure Height and Enclosure Width are required to determine the equivalent EES.
The Enclosure Depth is required to determine the type of system (typical or shallow).
The arc flash configuration is used to carry out calculations both in accordance with IEEE 1584 and
also DGUV.
The IEEE tab enables the system data to be defined according to IEEE 1584.
34 April 2019
The activation of the IEEE Configuration option causes the results for the arc flash calculation to
be provided according to IEEE.
The Type field determines the structure of the equipment according to IEEE 1584. PSS SINCAL
recognizes the following types of systems:
● Switchgear
● Cable
● Open air
● MCC and panels
Configuration determines whether the equipment is open or in a box.
The Arrangement of Conductors is used to define the alignment and arrangement of the
conductors.
● VCB:
● VCBB:
● HCB:
● VOA:
● HOA:
The Maximum Clearing Time makes it possible to calculate the arc flash results without protection
data. Without setting a clearing time, it is determined via the tripping of the protection devices in the
network.
The DGUV tab is used to define the system data according to DGUV.
The DGUV Configuration option is used to input the appropriate plant data. The activation of this
configuration causes the results for the arc flash calculation to be provided according to DGUV.
April 2019 35
The Type of Plant field is used to select the plant configuration. The following are available:
● LV Plant due to DGUV

● Unknown Plant
The Frequency Current field is used to define the frequency of the arc voltage in order to
determine the current limiting factor.
The Frequency Power field is used to define the frequency of the arc voltage in order to determine
the arcing power.
The Transmission Factor takes the geometry of the plant and the propagation of the arcing
energy into account.
4.2.1 Creating Protection Devices
Without a direct setting of the Maximum Clearing Time protection also has to be correct, since
PSS SINCAL can only calculate fault currents that actually exist.
For a detailed description on creating protection devices, see the section on Creating of Protection
Devices in the chapter on Protection Coordination, in the Input Data manual.
You can enter enhanced control settings for Arc Flash calculations at OC protection devices.
Basically, these define the Current Limit for the Protection Devices.
36 April 2019
For a precise description of input data for OC protection devices for the Arc Flash configuration,
see the section on Additional Data – Overcurrent Protection Settings in the chapter on Protection
Coordination in the Input Data manual.
4.3 Assigning Arc Flash Configurations to Nodes

Once you have entered Arc Flash configurations, you can assign them to nodes in the Basic Data
tab of the input form for nodes.
You can assign an existing configuration in the Arc Flash Configuration list. If you select (none),
you can click the edit button to create and assign a new Arc Flash configuration.
4.4 Starting the Arc Flash Calculations

Calculate – Arc Flash in the menu starts the Arc Flash calculations.
April 2019 37
IEEE 1584 specifies that the incident energy must be defined from the total fault current and the
tripping characteristic curve of the protection device. If the fault is limited by more than one
protection device, there is no clear directive for determining the incident energy. The following
methods can be selected in the Determine Energy selection field.
● Fraction
● Worst Case
● Best Case
● Time Steps
The Energy Calculation IEEE and Energy Calculation DGUV selection fields enable the required
calculation procedure to be selected.
4.5 Displaying and Evaluating the Results

Select Calculate – Arc Flash in the menu to start Arc Flash. Once the calculations are finished,
PSS SINCAL prepares results for all the nodes and busbars with Arc Flash configurations.
PSS SINCAL displays the results:
● In the network diagram

● In the data screen forms and Tabular View
● As reports
4.5.1 Results in the Network Diagram
PSS SINCAL provides the results of the Arc Flash calculations at the nodes and busbars in the
network diagram. The most important parameters according to IEEE 1584 are available.
The pop-up menus for nodes and busbars open the data-output form. Depending on the input data
activated in the arc flash configuration, the results are provided according to IEEE and DGUV.
38 April 2019
Results IEEE
The IEEE Configuration field shows which calculation procedure (IEEE 1584 2002 or IEEE 1584
2018) was used. The appropriate fields are displayed according to the selected procedure.
The Type field specifies the structure of the plant according to IEEE 1584.
The Configuration field determines whether the equipment is open or in a box.
Risk due to NFPA 70E identifies the danger potential in two basic classes (warning or hazard).
PPE due to NFPA 70E contains the category of personal protection (PPE = Personal Protective
Equipment) you want to select.
The fields for
● Incident Energy,
● Arc Flash Boundary,
● Working Distance,
● Limited Approach,
● Restricted Approach and
● Prohibited Approach
contain the results according to IEEE 1584.
Bolted Fault Current identifies the current at the node used as a basis for determining the arc
current.
Total Arcing Current contains the arc current that calculates the incident energy.
The Maximum Clearing Time is the time in which the arc flash current is flowing.
April 2019 39
Calculation Method identifies which procedure determined the Arc Flash energy.
Reduced Arcing Current Used identifies whether the incident energy was for arc current that is
reduced to 85 %.
The Grounding specifies whether the plant is grounded or not grounded.
Results DGUV
The DGUV Configuration field shows the calculation procedure used.
The Protection Class specifies the personal protective equipment against the thermal effects of
the arc flash.
The Arcing Energy is the electrical energy fed to the arc flash.
The Arcing Power is the short circuit power based on the prospective short circuit current.
The Arcing Current is the r.m.s. value of the current flowing for the duration of the arc flash.
The Prosp. Fault Current is the maximum anticipated fault current.
The Min. Fault Current is the minimum anticipated fault current. This current is the relevant
current for the tripping time of fuses.
The Ratio R/X is the ratio of the resistance to the inductive reactance based on the prospective
short circuit current of the plant.
The Short Circuit Power is the anticipated AC power at the moment the short circuit occurs.
The Clearing Time is the time in which the arc flash current is flowing.
40 April 2019
The Transmission Factor takes the geometry of the plant and the propagation of the arcing
energy into account.
The Factor Current Limiting is the ratio between the actual arc flash current and the prospective
short circuit current.
The Ref. Arcing Power is the ratio between the arcing power and the short circuit power of the
plant.
The Equivalent Arcing Energy of Class 1 and Class 2 is the energy based on the test level of the
respective class.
Arc Voltage Frequency for Determining specifies the frequencies used in the calculation for
determining the Arcing Current and Arcing Power.
4.5.2 Labels for System Designation
In addition to conventional PSS SINCAL reports, there is a special report for creating labels for Arc
Flash danger in systems. Click View – Report View in the menu to open the report window. For a
detailed description of the report window, see the chapter on Reports in the System Manual.
Add the report for Arc Flash Labels to the active compilation. Then you can open the report in the
report window.
April 2019 41

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PSS®SINCAL 15.

The PSS SINCAL manuals can be divided into three parts:

● the PSS SINCAL System Manual

PSS® is a registered trademark of SIEMENS AG

1. Introduction to Arc Flash 7

2. Arc Flash Calculation Method according to IEEE 8

3. Arc Flash Calculation Method according to BGI/GUV-I 5188 28

4. Example for Arc Flash 33

4.1 Presetting Calculation Settings 33

4.3 Assigning Arc Flash Configurations to Nodes 37

1. Introduction to Arc Flash

Arc Flash according to IEEE

Arc Flash according to BGI/GUV-I 5188

This manual contains the following chapters:

● Arc Flash Calculation Method according to IEEE

Arc Flash Procedure

● Create protection devices

2. Arc Flash Calculation Method according to IEEE

Arc Flash Calculation Procedure according to IEEE

Unload and check all the network data

Solve the load flow

Determine load with configuration data

Calculate short circuit at the node

Determine adjacent protection devices

Determine arc current

Adjust protection device currents to arc current

Determine pickup for adjacent protection devices

Determine incident energy

Determine boundary and approaches

Determine PPE according to NFPA

Are there still more nodes Yes

Arc Flash Hazard

Arc Fault Current

Bolted Fault Current

Physical stimulus when electrical current passes through the body.

Exposed Body Parts

Flash Protection Boundary

Correction factor for system size.

Vertical conductors/electrodes inside a metal box/enclosure.

Vertical conductors/electrodes terminated in an insulating barrier inside a metal box/enclosure.

Horizontal conductors/electrodes inside a metal box/enclosure.

Vertical conductors/electrodes in open air.

Horizontal conductors/electrodes in open air.

2.2 Network Modeling for Arc Flash Calculations according to IEEE

2.2.1 Determining Nodes for Arc Flash

2.2.2 Determining Adjacent Protection Devices

2.2.3 Determining Arc Current

Determination according to IEEE 1584 2002

lg 𝐼𝑎𝑟𝑐 = 𝑘𝑡 + 0.662 × lg 𝐼𝑏𝑓 + 0.0966 × 𝑉𝑛 + 0.000526 × 𝐺 + 0.5588 × 𝑉𝑛 × lg 𝐼𝑏𝑓

𝐼𝑎𝑟𝑐 = 10lg 𝐼𝑎𝑟𝑐

lg 𝐼𝑎𝑟𝑐 = 0.00402 + 0.983 × lg 𝐼𝑏𝑓

𝐼𝑎𝑟𝑐 = 10lg 𝐼𝑎𝑟𝑐

Determination according to IEEE 1584 2018

𝐼𝑎𝑟𝑐_𝑉𝑜𝑐 = 10(𝑘1+𝑘2𝑙𝑔𝐼𝑏𝑓 +𝑘3𝑙𝑔𝐺) (𝑘4𝐼𝑏𝑓

𝐼𝑎𝑟𝑐_1 (2.7 − 𝑉𝑜𝑐 ) 𝐼𝑎𝑟𝑐_2 (𝑉𝑜𝑐 − 0.6)

● Model 208 V ≤ Voc ≤ 600 V

If the voltage Voc > 2700 V, the following is used:

Voc … Open-circuit voltage (kV)

2.2.4 Determining Incident Energy for Protection Device

Empirical Model according to IEEE 1584 2002

lg 𝑊𝑁 = 𝑘𝑡1 + 𝑘𝑡2 + 1.081 × lg 𝐼𝑎𝑟𝑐 + 0.0011 × 𝐺

Empirical Model according to IEEE 1584 2018

The requirements for the empirical model are as follows: