Main Window

S_CKT MENU
ARC-FLASH HAZARD CALCULATOR COMMAND
The Arc-Flash Hazard Calculator Command in the Main Window let you perform arc-flash hazard
calculation using methodology recommended in the IEEE 1584 standard. DistriView automatically
simulates a 3-phase fault at selected bus to determine arcing current and fault clearing time. The program
utilizes IEEE 1584 curve fitting equations in calculation of arcing current and incident energy when bus
nominal kV is 15 or less. IEEE 1584 recommended Lee method equations are used in all other cases. Arc-
flash hazard is reported for 100% and 85% of total 3-phase fault current. The report includes the minimum
PPE category required in NFPA 70E and arc-flash hazard boundary for different category of personal
protective equipment (PPE).
TO RUN THE ARC-FLASH CALCULATOR:
1. Select the S_Ckt | Arc-Flash Hazard Calculator command.
A dialog box will appear asking you for the calculation parameters.

2. Select the study extent: Highlighted node on the 1-line or Select list of nodes
If the second option is selected the program will display the Node
Selector dialog (see GENERATE LIST OF NODES COMMAND) to let
you build the list before commencing the calculation.
3. Select an equipment category:
Click on the dropdown list to select one of the following IEEE 1584
equipment category at the site under study:
Switch gear
Cable
Open air
MCC and panel boards (available only for buses of 1 kV or
lower)
Click on the dropdown list to select whether the equipment has no
enclosure or it is inside an enclosed space.
Enter conductor gap in millimeters. This is the gap over which arcing
takes place.
Enter working distance. This is distance from the possible arc point to
the person.
Click on Use typical values button if you want to use commonly used
values for conductor gap, working distance and enclosure type for
the selected equipment category and kV.
4. Click on the dropdown list labeled Fault clearing to specify the method for
determining fault clearing time for 3-phase fault at this site.

300 Contents DistriView Version 10

 Choose Manual if you want to enter the fault clearing time manually.
Choose Stepped-event simulation if you want the program to
determine the clearing time from stepped-event simulation with the
initiating event being a 3LG fault at the node.
Choose Fastest device in the list below or select a specific device in the
list if you want to use the operating time of nearby protective devices
in the vicinity. Following logic is utilized in clearing time calculation:
Only phase relays, reclosers and fuses operation is considered.
If the device is a fuse, the total clear time curve is used. If the
device is a recloser that has two tripping curves, the fast curve is
used.
If the tripping device is not a fuse, total arc clearing time
calculated as the sum of device tripping time and breaker
interrupting time.
5. (Only if Manual is selected in step 4) Enter fault clearing time in seconds.
6. Select check box Ignore 2-seconds fault clearing time rule if you do not want
to apply the IEEE 1584 rule that sets 2-second upper limit of fault
clearing in calculating arc incident energy.
7. Select in the dropdown list the options of Output to TTY window or Output
to Excel CSV file.
7. Click on OK to start calculation.
Arc-flash hazard report will be printed in the TTY window or in CSV file
as you selected:

DistriView Version 10 SECTION 3 COMMAND REFERENCE 301