INFORMATIVE ANNEX D

Table D.4.7 Incident Energy and Arc Flash Protection Boundary by Circuit Breaker Type and Rating

480 V and Lower 575 V–600 V

Arc Flash
Rating Incident Energy Boundary Incident Energy Arc Flash Boundary
(A) Breaker Type Trip Unit Type (J/cm2)a (mm)a (J/cm2)a (mm)a
100–400 MCCB TM or M 0.189 Ibf + 0.548 9.16 Ibf + 194 0.271 Ibf + 0.180 11.8 Ibf + 196
600–1200 MCCB TM or M 0.223 Ibf + 1.590 8.45 Ibf + 364 0.335 Ibf + 0.380 11.4 Ibf + 369
600–1200 MCCB E, LI 0.377 Ibf + 1.360 12.50 Ibf + 428 0.468 Ibf + 4.600 14.3 Ibf + 568
1600–6000 MCCB or ICCB TM or E, LI 0.448 Ibf + 3.000 11.10 Ibf + 696 0.686 Ibf + 0.165 16.7 Ibf + 606
800–6300 LVPCB E, LI 0.636 Ibf + 3.670 14.50 Ibf + 786 0.958 Ibf + 0.292 19.1 Ibf + 864
800–6300 LVPCB E, LSb 4.560 Ibf + 27.230 47.20 Ibf + 2660 6.860 Ibf + 2.170 62.4 Ibf + 2930
MCCB: Molded-case circuit breaker.
TM: Thermal-magnetic trip units.
M: Magnetic (instantaneous only) trip units.
E: Electronic trip units have three characteristics that may be used separately or in combination: L: Long time, S: Short time, I: Instantaneous.
ICCB: Insulated-case circuit breaker.
LVPCB: Low-voltage power circuit breaker.
a
Ibf is in kA; working distance is 455 mm (18 in.).
b
Short-time delay is assumed to be set at maximum.

voltage is one-half the system voltage. Testing completed for References:

Bruce Power (see reference 3, which follows) has shown that this
calculation is conservatively high in estimating the arc flash 1. “DC-Arc Models and Incident-Energy Calculations,”
value. This method applies to dc systems rated up to 1000 V. Ammerman, R.F.; et al.; IEEE Transactions on Industry Applica‐
tions, Vol. 46, No.5.
N
[D.5.1] 2. “Arc Flash Calculations for Exposures to DC Systems,”
Doan, D.R., IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications, Vol. 46,
I arc = 0.5 × I bf No.6.
IEm = 0.01 × V sys × I arc × Tarc D 2
3. “DC Arc Hazard Assessment Phase II”, Copyright Material,
where: Kinectrics Inc., Report No. K-012623-RA-0002-R00.
Iarc = arcing current amperes D.5.3 Short Circuit Current. The determination of short
Ibf = system bolted fault current amperes circuit current is necessary in order to use Table 130.7(C)(15)
IEm = estimated dc arc flash incident energy at the maximum (b). The arcing current is calculated at 50 percent of the dc
power point cal/cm2 short-circuit value. The current that a battery will deliver
Vsys = system voltage volts depends on the total impedance of the short-circuit path. A
Tarc = arcing time sec conservative approach in determining the short-circuit current
D = working distance cm that the battery will deliver at 25°C is to assume that the maxi‐
mum available short-circuit current is 10 times the 1 minute
For exposures where the arc is in a box or enclosure, it ampere rating (to 1.75 volts per cell at 25°C and the specific
would be prudent to consider additional PPE protection gravity of 1.215) of the battery. A more accurate value for the
beyond the values shown in Table 130.7(C)(15)(b). short-circuit current for the speciific application can be
D.5.2 Detailed Arcing Current and Energy Calculations obtained from the battery manufacturer.
Method. A thorough theoretical review of dc arcing current References:
and energy was published in the IEEE Transactions on Industry
Applications. Readers are advised to refer to that paper (see refer‐ 1. IEEE 946, Recommended Practice for the Design of DC Auxiliary
ence 1) for those detailed calculations. Powers Systems for Generating Stations.

70E–66 Shaded text = Revisions. Δ = Text deletions and figure/table revisions. • = Section deletions. N = New material.