ECE 

525 – Introduction to Arc Flash

What Is Arc Flash?
What Is Arc Flash?
Arc Flash is current that leaves its assigned path and short‐circuits 
through the air between conductors, or between a conductor and 
ground. Temperatures can soar well beyond that of the sun's 
surface (about 10,000F) in just a fraction of a second. Hazards 
include: 

•Electromagnetic radiation 
•Superheated plasma
•Superheated plasma 
•Sound pressure wave 
•Shrapnel 

Presently, arc hazard analysis and standards primarily address the 
g
thermal danger

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ECE 525 – Introduction to Arc Flash
History of Arc Flash
History of Arc Flash
•1960’s – Petrochemical industry begins applying fire hazard risk management to electrical 
arc flash hazards
•1982 – Dr. Ralph Lee publishes “The Other Electrical Hazard: Electric Arc Burns”.  The arc 
flash hazard continues to gain recognition as a significant safety risk.
•1990 – Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recognizes need for arc‐flash 
safety in 29 CFR 1910 Subpart S
safety in 29 CFR‐1910 Subpart S
•1995 – National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) revised standard 70E to include arc flash 
protection boundaries.
•2002 – NEC revised to require arc flash warning labels
•2002 – IEEE releases Standard 1584,“Guide for Performing Arc‐Flash Hazard Calculations”
•2007 NESC implements arc flash hazard requirements for utilities
•2007 – NESC implements arc flash hazard requirements for utilities
•2009 – Latest revision of NFPA‐70E
0
•2012? – Expected release of next revision to IEEE 1584
pected e ease o e t e s o to 58

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ECE 525 – Introduction to Arc Flash

Basic Requirements
Basic Requirements
NEC 2008, section 110.16: Flash protection is required for "electrical equipment, such as 
switchboards, panelboards, industrial control panels, meter socket enclosures, and motor control 
centers" that are likely to require "examining, adjusting, servicing, or maintaining energized 
" h lk l " d d
equipment, and the equipment shall be field marked to warn qualified persons of potential electric 
arc‐flash hazards". 

OSHA 29 CFR 1910.132(d)(1): Places Arc Flash safety responsibility on employers to evaluate the 
(d)( ) l l h f bl l l h
workplace for hazards and select and require the use of appropriate personal protective equipment 
(PPE) for its employees. 

OSHA 269 CRR 1910.269(l)(6): Requires that workers be trained in potential electrical arc hazards and 
OS 269 C 9 0 269(l)(6) i h k b i di i l l i l h d d
prohibits workers from wearing clothing that in the event of an arc, could potentially increase the 
extent of injuries. Interpretation Memorandum 

NESC 410.A.5: Effective as of January 1, 2009, the employer shall ensure that an assessment is 
NESC 410 A 5 Eff i fJ 1 2009 h l h ll h i
performed to determine potential exposure to an electric arc for employees who work on or near 
energized parts or equipment. This standard is voluntary and has limited applicability. 

N
Note: standards are evolving so refer to latest revision before implementation
d d l i f l ii b f i l i

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ECE 525 – Introduction to Arc Flash

Theory Ralph Lee Method
Theory – Ralph Lee Method thev

AC

Note: Ralph Lee Method is not normally used for voltages between 208 V and 15 kV – refer to IEEE 1584-2002

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ECE 525 – Introduction to Arc Flash

Theory Ralph Lee Method
Theory – Ralph Lee Method thev

AC

Note: Ralph Lee Method is not normally used for voltages between 208 V and 15 kV

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ECE 525 – Introduction to Arc Flash

Theory – Ralph Lee Method

Incident Energy = Energy impressed on a surface at a distance

f
from an arc over a period
i d off time
ti [J/ 2 or cal/cm
[J/cm l/ 2]

Note: Ralph Lee Method is not normally used for voltages between 208 V and 15 kV

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ECE 525 – Introduction to Arc Flash

Theory Ralph Lee Method
Theory – Ralph Lee Method

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ECE 525 – Introduction to Arc Flash

Standards
NFPA 70E‐2009 
•Not Highly Technical
•Not Highly Technical 
•Focuses on Safety, Task Planning and Execution 
•Provides Look Up Tables For PPE Based on Task and Equipment 
•References, but does not require use of IEEE‐1584 

IEEE 1584‐2002 
•Technical 
•Focuses on radiated heat from an arcing fault 
•Equations are empirical based on 208V‐15kV tests 
•Equations are empirical ‐ based on 208V 15kV tests
•Curves fit to measured data (Lee method often too conservative) 

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ECE 525 – Introduction to Arc Flash

General Analysis Steps for IEEE 1584 Method

General Analysis Steps for IEEE 1584 Method

1. Calculate bolted 3‐phase fault currents (sometimes highest fault current is not the 
worst case e g inverse time curves – longer clearing time may dominate)
worst case, e.g. inverse time curves – longer clearing time may dominate)

2. Determine duration of the arc 
a. Protection
b. Machine decay
c. Human response time (careful – must consider evacuation space)

3. Identify distance between worker and the arc

Identify distance between worker and the arc

4. Determine equipment configuration (enclosure type, bus gap, grounding etc.)

5. Calculate the Flash Protection Boundary, Incident Energy, and Identify 
l l h l h i d id d d if
corresponding Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

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ECE 525 – Introduction to Arc Flash

Example see handout for TCC
Example – see handout for TCC
Utility 115 kV
Infinte Bus

SEL-587, 51P

100
100:5

115 – 4.16 KV
6 MVA
Z = 7.6% on 6 MVA

GE SR-735 51P

2000:5

Note: The spreadsheet used in the lecture to calculate the arc flash energy (incident
energy) for this example is based on the IEEE 1584-2002 method. Refer to the
2500 HP standard for details. The equations and method are also described in the file
Induction Motor “ieee1584_procedure.pdf” which accompanies this presentation. A link to an on-line
arc flash calculator is included in the references section of this presentation.

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ECE 525 – Introduction to Arc Flash

Example see handout for TCC
Example – see handout for TCC

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ECE 525 – Introduction to Arc Flash

Arc Hazard Mitigation

Arc Hazard Mitigation

• De‐energizing equipment before performing maintenance 

• Wearing appropriate personal protective equipment 

• Setting or selecting protective devices to clear faults faster 
(differential, maintenance mode definite time, optical detectors 
etc )
etc.)

• Maintaining a greater distance from arcing sources by using 
remotely controlled devices 

g
•Arc Resistant Switchgear

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ECE 525 – Introduction to Arc Flash

PPE Examples
PPE Examples

http://pdf.directindustry.com/pdf/oberon/arc-flash-protection/22888-29245-_2.html

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ECE 525 – Introduction to Arc Flash

References/Links
[1] Lee, R., “The other electrical hazard: electrical arc blast burns,” IEEE Transactions on Industry
Applications, vol 1A-18. no. 3, p. 246, May/June 1982.

[2] IEEE
IEEE, Std 1584
1584-2002
2002 Guide for Performing Arc
Arc-Flash
Flash Hazard Calculations
Calculations, The Institute of Electrical
and Electronics Engineers, Inc., New York, 2002.

[3] NFPA 70E-2009, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace, National Fire Protection
Association, 2005.

[4] Blackburn, J. L., Protective Relaying: Principles and Applications – Second Edition, Marcel Dekker,
Inc., New York, 1998.

[[5]] Anderson,, P.M.,, Analysis

y of Faulted Power Systems,
y , IEEE Press,, NJ,, 1995.

Arc Flash Information Resource Center: http://www.arcflash.me

Arc flash videos:

•http://www arcwear com/videos/videos php
•http://www.arcwear.com/videos/videos.php
•http://www.tyndaleusa.com/pages/links.html
•http://www.selinc.com/arc-flash_testing/
•http://www.easypower.com/arc_flash/arc_flash_videos.php

On-line Arc flash calculator: http://www.arcadvisor.com/arcflash/ieee1584.html

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