ARC FLASH HAZARDOUS

ANALYSIS
Group 5
Petes, Neil
Pongyan, Clarenze
Quilalang, Joshua Leonin, Leander

Zara, Ivanne Pedelino, Ronel

Jerome
WHAT IS AN
ARC
FLASH ?
• An Arc Flash is an
electrical explosion
due to a fault condition
or short circuit when
either a phase to
ground or phase to
phase conductor is
connected and current
flows through the air.
BOLTED FAULT VS ARC FAULT
WHY DOES
AN ARC
FLASH
HAPPEN ?
• Many arc flashes occur when
maintenance workers are
manipulating live equipment
for testing or repair and
accidentally cause a fault or
short circuit.
 Causes of Arc Flash
• Unintentional tool contact with live parts
• A tool dropped on the ground, which creates a spark
which starts an arc discharge
• Equipment failure due to poor maintenance or improper
design
• Use of non-sparking tools
• Corrosion of contact surfaces
• Loose contacts
• Worn or damaged insulation
• Dust and condensation on the insulating materials (The
dust or moisture provide a path for the electrical current
and can lead to flashovers that create an arc discharge)
• Incorrect installation of conductors, such as when
conductors of different phases are installed too close
• Incorrect installation of arc-resistant equipment
• Incorrect work procedures.
What are the types of
arc flash?
CONFINED
FLASH
open FLASH
The variables that affect the
size and energy of an electric
Arc Flash
 Voltage (safety issue where greater than 220 Volts)
 Amperage
 Arc Gap
 Closure Time
 Distance away from the arc
 3 Phase v Single Phase
 Confined Space
Arc flash compliance (OSHA and
NEC )
 Arcing fault energy is a function of current and arc duration

 Arc duration is a function of the arcing current and the protective device
type and settings

 Nec requires arc flash warning labels

 Osha through nfpa 70e requires arc flash calculations and energized
work permits

 Workers are required to wear the proper ppe when inspecting and
servicing equipment
Arc Flash Risk Assessment
(Hazard Analysis)
 ARC FLASH RISK
ASSESSMENT 
 Arc Flash Hazard Study / Analysis is a calculation
performed by Professional Engineer to determine the
thermal incident energy found at each location which
determines the various arc flash boundaries and what
personal protective equipment (PPE) must be used in
approaching each boundary.

An Arc Flash Risk Assessment should only be performed

by experienced and qualified electrical engineers familiar
with power quality, short circuit studies, NFPA 70E, and
IEEE 1584.
 ARC FLASH LABELING
The NEC® and NFPA 70E require labeling of
equipment to warn of potential arc flash hazards.
Arc flash labeling has been used for many
years to help warn people of the risks, and
encourage them to wear the proper personal
protection equipment to mitigate the dangers.

In 2004, the NEC 110.116 pointed to the NFPA

70E-2004 guidelines for recommendations on
how to handle labeling, but even at this time
there were no enforceable requirements.

In addition to just the arc flash labeling, many

companies use arc flash posters, 
arc flash floor signs, and even provide training
that is focused specifically in this area.
Complying with Arc Flash OSHA requirements
The National Fire Protection Association
(NFPA) details how to comply with the
Occupational Safety and Health
Administration's (OSHA) regulation, 29 CFR
1910.333(a), through the NFPA 70E
standard. Applying these electrical safety
standards in the workplace protects workers
who may be exposed to arc flash or other
electrical hazards.
Complying with Arc Flash OSHA requirements

According to the NFPA 70E standard, there are six

primary responsibilities that facilities must meet.

These responsibilities include:

• Training for employees
• Written safety program in place that is actionable
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) available
for employees
• Insulated tools
• Arc flash hazard degree calculations
• Properly labeled equipment
Who is responsible for equipment labeling?

Arc flash labeling is the responsibility of the

employer, not the manufacturer or installer of the
equipment. Employees are responsible for
complying with safety-related work practices and
procedures provided by the employer.
HOW TO READ ARC FLASH LABELS
Examples of where to put your arc flash
labels to stay compliant

Switchboards Panel Boards Industrial Control Panels

Motor Control Centers Transformers Disconnect Switches

ARC FLASH / ELECTRICAL SAFETY TRAINING

The OSHA regulations in 29 CFR 1910.332 require

electrical safety training for any employees who
“may reasonably be expected to face… risk of
injury due to electric shock or other electrical
hazards.” OSHA has compiled a list of job titles
that typically include this kind of risk:
•Blue collar supervisors
•Electrical and electronic engineers
•Electrical and electronic equipment assemblers
•Electrical and electronic technicians
•Electricians
•Industrial machine operators
•Material handling equipment operators
•Mechanics and repairers
•Painters
•Riggers and roustabouts
•Stationary engineers
•Welders
 ARC FLASH / ELECTRICAL SAFETY
TRAINING

Arc flash hazard & electrical safety training

 compliance is based on requirements by OSHA
and NFPA 70E standards for worker safety
protection. In addition to core electrical safety
training, the arc flash training teaches those
subject to arc flash hazards how to recognize the
hazards, avoid accidents, read the arc flash
hazard labels and to use and care for personal
protective equipment.
 NFPA 70E Arc Flash Training Requirements
NFPA 70E describes its general training requirements in
Article 110.2. The requirements there are divided into
two broad categories:

• Emergency Response Training. This includes basic

shock response training as a requirement for all
workers exposed to shock hazards. More in-depth
training is required for workers who are designated
as responders for medical emergencies. This training
category requires refresher training at least once per
year.

• Employee Training. This category covers OSHA-style

worker training, similarly separated into sections for
qualified and unqualified persons. The NFPA offers
more detailed training requirements for qualified
workers. Training in this category must be refreshed
at least once every three years.
Arc Flash
Analysis
Process
 Arc Flash Analysis Process
IEEE 1584-2002 establishes a nine-step process for gathering information and
calculating arc flash hazards. The steps are:

1. Collect electrical system 6. Document voltages and equipment

2. Determine modes of operation classes

3. Determine bolted fault currents 7. Establish working distances

4. Determine arc fault currents 8. Determine incident energies

5. Determine protective device 9. Determine Flash Protection Boundary

characteristics and duration of arcs (FPB)
Arc Flash Analysis Process
IEEE 1584 establishes a nine-step process for gathering information and
calculating arc flash hazards. The steps are:
1. Collect electrical system data
Collecting system data is the most difficult and time-intensive step in
performing an arc flash hazard analysis, but accurate information is vital to
correctly calculating flash boundaries.
Arc Flash Analysis Process
- Information collected should be
recorded on a one-line diagram of the
facility's electrical system.
- Impedance data for a short circuit
study.
- Protective device data (fuses, relays,
circuit breakers, etc.).
- Equipment data used to define the
enclosure size, bus gap and electrode
configuration.
Arc Flash Analysis Process
COMPONENT REQUIRED INFORMATION
- SC contribution
Utility - Initial voltage
- X/R 3-phase
- Nominal kVA
Transformers - Primary Voltage
- Secondary Voltage
- %Z Impedance

- Size (AWG/mm2)
- Length
Conductors - Qty. per phase
- Conductor material
- Duct material

- Model
- Trip or sensor setting
- The following information is as it
Breakers applies to the particular breaker: Plug,
LTPU, LTD, STPU, STD, and INST

Fuses - Model
- Trip
Motors - Nominal HP
Arc Flash Analysis Process
2. Determine modes of operation
Many electrical systems, especially in smaller facilities, have only a
single mode of operation. In large facilities, however, it is common to find
a number of operating modes.
Arc Flash Analysis Process
STEP 3: DETERMINE THE BOLTED FAULT CURRENTS
The bolted fault current is the current that would flow through a short
circuit consisting of two conductors bolted together. It is the maximum
current available to flow through a short circuit.
IIEE-1584-2002

STEP 4: DETERMINE ARC FAULT CURRENTS

The current that flows through an arcing fault is usually significantly
less than the bolted fault current, due to greater resistance.
IIEE-1584-2002
Arc fault is one of the leading causes of fires. Some protective devices such as circuit
breaker may have difficulty detecting it quickly. The normal means of guarding against
arc faults is an AFCI (arc-fault circuit interrupter)—either an AFCI outlet or an AFCI
circuit breaker. AFCIs are intended to guard against the danger of fire.

AFCI Outlet AFCI Breaker

 Arc Flash Analysis Process
IEEE 1584 presents two formulas for calculating arc fault currents, one for use with
0.208-1 kV systems, and the other for systems between 1 and 15 kV.
For systems between 0.208 and 1 kV:

log Ia = K + 0.662(log Ibf) + 0.0966(V) + 0.000526(G)

+ 0.5588(V)(log Ibf) - 0.00304(G)(log Ibf)

For systems between 1 and 15 kV: Where:

log Ia = 0.00402 + 0.983(log Ibf)
Ia = arc fault current in kA;
K = -0.153 for open-air arcs and -0.097
for enclosed arcs;
Ibf = 3-phase bolted fault current in kA;
V = voltage in kV;
G = conductor gap in mm.
 Arc Flash Analysis Process
STEP 5: DETERMINE PROTECTIVE DEVICE CHARACTERISTICS AND
DURATION OF ARCS
The time-current curves (TCCs) of upstream protective devices are the major factor in
determining how long an arc-fault will last. Incident energy depends on both fault current and
time, which is another factor to take into account while examining protective devices. Since
protective devices are slower at lower currents, minimum fault currents often pose the worst-
case arc flash scenario.
Equipment class Typical bus
STEP 6: DOCUMENT VOLTAGES AND distance, in mm
EQUIPMENT CLASSES Open air 10-40
Low-V 32
switchgear
15 kV switchgear 152
5 kV switchgear 104
Low-V MCCs 25
and panel boards
Cable 13
 Arc Flash Analysis Process
STEP 7: ESTABLISH WORKING DISTANCES
The working distance is the distance from a potential arc source to a worker's face
and chest. 18 inches is the working distance most commonly assumed in
calculations, but efforts should be made to determine actual working distances.
Equipment class Working
distance
Low-voltage 24"
switchgear
15 kV/5 kV 36"
switchgear
Low-voltageMCCs 18"
and panel boards
Cables 18"
 Arc Flash Analysis Process
STEP 8: DETERMINE INCIDENT ENERGIES
Incident Energy is defined in NFPA 70E as "the amount of energy impressed on a surface,
a certain distance from the source, generated during an electrical arc event." Incident
energy is expressed in calories/cm2. IEEE 1584 uses the following formulas:

log En = K1 + K2 + 1.081(log Ia) + 0.0011(G)

Where:
En = energy normalized for distance of 610 mm and arc
duration of 0.2 seconds, in joules/cm 2;
K1 = -0.792 for open-air arcs and -0.555 for enclosed
arcs;
K2 = 0 for ungrounded/high-Z systems and -0.113 for
grounded systems;
G = arc gap in mm;
Ia = predicted 3-phase arc fault current in kA
 Arc Flash Analysis Process
STEP 8: DETERMINE INCIDENT ENERGIES

E = 4.184(Cf)(En)(t/0.2)(610x/Dx)

Equipment Type Distance

Exponent Where:
Open air 2.0 E = incident energy in joules/cm2;
Low-voltage (.208-1 kV) 1.473 Cf is a calculation factor (1.0 for voltages above 1 kV, and
switchgear 1.5 for voltages below 1 kV);
High-voltage (1-15 kV) 0.973 En = normalized incident energy;
switchgear
t = arc duration in seconds;
Low-voltage MCCs and 1.641
panels D = distance from arc in mm;
Cables 2.0 x = distance exponent (see table)

To convert J/cm2 to cal/cm2 multiply by 0.239 or divide by 4.184

 Arc Flash Analysis Process
STEP 9: DETERMINE FLASH PROTECTION BOUNDARY (FPB)
The flash protection boundary is the distance at which staff without personal protective
equipment (PPE) may suffer second-degree injuries that can be cured.
 Arc Flash Analysis Process
Arc Flash Protection boundary is typically calculated as the distance where the incident
energy falls off to 1.2 cal /cm2 . Work performed within the AFB requires adequate PPE
based on NFPA 70E requirements.

DB =[4.184(Cf)(En)(t/0.2)(610x/EB)]1/x
Where:
DB= distance of the boundary from the arcing point
(mm);
Cf = is a calculation factor (1.0 for voltages above 1 kV,
and 1.5 for voltages below 1 kV);
En = normalized incident energy;
t = arc duration in seconds;
EB= incident energy at the boundary distance (J/cm 2);
EB can be set at 5.0 J/cm2 (1.2 cal/cm2) for bare skin.
x = distance exponent;
Example:

The one line diagram on the left shows a 480

Volt panel protected by an upstream 225
Amp circuit breaker. A short circuit study
indicates the available “bolted” three-phase
fault current at Panel 1 is 30,000 Amps. The
power system is considered to be solidly
grounded and the arc flash is in a box
representative of an enclosure.
Determine the arc fault current
For system voltage is less than 1kV: Equipment class Typical bus
distance, in mm
log Ia = K + 0.662(log Ibf) + 0.0966(V) + 0.000526(G) Open air 10-40
+ 0.5588(V)(log Ibf) - 0.00304(G)(log Ibf) Low-V 32
switchgear
log Ia = -0.097+ 0.662(log(30)) + 0.0966(0.48) + 0.000526(25) 15 kV switchgear 152
+ 0.5588(0.48)(log (30)) - 0.00304(25)(log (30)) 5 kV switchgear 104
Low-V MCCs 25
log Ia = 1.2243 ; Ia = 101.2243 and panel boards
Cable 13
K = -0.153 for open-air arcs and
Ia= 16.761kA -0.097 for enclosed arcs
Example:
Determine the normalized incident energy
log En = K1 + K2 + 1.081(log Ia) + 0.0011(G)
log En = -0.555 + -0.113 + 1.081(log 16.761) + 0.0011(25)
log En = 0.682968

En =100.682968
En = 4.8191 J/cm2

Where:
K1 = -0.792 for open-air arcs and -0.555 for enclosed arcs;
K2 = 0 for ungrounded/high-Z systems and -0.113 for grounded
systems;
Example:

Determine the incident energy

E = 4.184(Cf)(En)(t/0.2)(610x/Dx)
E = 4.184(1.5)(4.8191)(0.0167/0.2)(6101.641/457.21.641)

E = 4.0535 J/cm2

To convert J/cm2 to cal/cm2

E = 4.0561 x 0.239 or 4.0561 / 4.184

E = 0.97 cal/cm2
 Equipment class Working Equipment Type D (Distance
distance Exponent)
Low-voltage 24" Open air 2.0
switchgear
Low-voltage (.208-1 1.473
kV) switchgear
15 kV/5 kV 36"
switchgear High-voltage (1-15 0.973
kV) switchgear
Low-voltage MCCs 18"
and panel boards Low-voltage MCCs 1.641
and panels
Cables 18" Cables 2.0

Cf is a calculation factor (1.0 for voltages above 1

kV, and 1.5 for voltages below 1 kV);

TCC of 225Amps MCCB

Example:

Determine the Arc Flash Boundary

DB =[4.184(Cf)(En)(t/0.2)(610x/EB)]1/x
DB =[4.184(1.5)(4.8191)(0.0167/0.2)(6101.641/5.0)]

DB = 402.3 mm or DB = 15.84 in
Classification of PPE based on arc flash analysis
Incident Energy Incident Energy To Hazard Risk Clothing Description Hand & Arm Foot Protection PPE Others
From (cal/cm2) (cal/cm2) Category Protection

0 1.2 0 Non-melting, Flammable Leather Gloves N/A Safety glasses

Materials
- Safety glasses,
1.2 4 1 Arc-rated FR Shirt & Leather Gloves Leather work shoes electrically rated hard
Pants hat with hood and face
shield.

4 8
- Safety glasses,
electrically rated hard
2 Arc-rated FR Shirt & Leather Gloves Leather work shoes hat with hood and face
Pants shield.
- Hearing protection.

8 25
Arc-rated FR Shirt &
3 Pants & Arc Flash Suit
- Safety glasses,
electrically rated hard
Arc-rated Gloves Leather work shoes hat with hood and face
shield.
- Hearing protection.

- Safety glasses,
Arc-rated FR Shirt & electrically rated hard
25 40 4 Pants & Arc Flash Suit Arc-rated Gloves Leather work shoes hat with hood and face
shield.
- Hearing protection.

40 999 Dangerous! No FR Category Found Do not work on live! Do not work on live! - No FR Category
Found
 PROTECTING YOURSELF FROM AN ARC FLASH WITH
PE.
- There are many ways to achieve arc flash protection, but quite often your only option will
be to use electrical arc flash PPE.
- Incident energy is the amount of heat energy produced by the arc flash explosion.
Typically, it’s measured in calories per square centimeter (cal/cm2). So let’s say the worker
are standing in front of 30 amp disconnect (600 volts) and an arc flash occurs. The worker
would be exposed to a certain amount of heat energy.
ARC FLASH SHIRTS
- Most arc rated shirts will have
an arc rating around 8 cal/cm2.
mwg comfort weave 9.0 cal pmmi c54 long sleeve 8.0 cal
strata arc corporate 8.5 cal

ARC FLASH PANTS

- Typically, they will have a
higher arc rating than the
matching shirt (usually around
12 cal/cm2). strata hi-viz 9.9 cal
mwg flexguard 8.5 cal mwg duck canvas 18 cal
ARC FLASH COVERALLS
- Arc rated coveralls are typically
rated higher than the shirt and
pant combo but can range from 8
cal/cm2 up to 25 cal/cm2.

oberon inherent fr 12 cal steel grip coveralls 20 cal strata arc global 10 cal

ARC FLASH RAIN

GEAR
- Sometimes electrical work is
performed outside and the
weather is not always favorable.
This is where arc flash rain gearpmmi arc extreme 9.2 cal mwg stormshield 10 cal
strata hi-viz waterproof 24
cal
comes in handy.
ARC FLASH & COTTON
UNDERWEAR
- Underneath your arc flash protection, the
cotton underwear will stay safe from the
flames and will not catch fire and the key
factor is that it will not melt.
skanwear arc boxers 6.3 cal
mwg flexsafe 4.3 cal
pmmi control bottoms 4.0 cal

ARC FLASH FACE SHIELD

- The arc flash face shield is designed to
protect your face from the radiant heat
energy of an arc flash as well as your eyes
from the blinding light produced during
the incident.
paulson oberon
ARC FLASH BALACLAVA
- Typically, the balaclava is rated
12 cal/cm2 but I’m sure you can
find higher.
ARC FLASH HOOD oberon balaclava 12 cal skanwear balaclava 6.5 cal
pmmi balaclava 12 cal
- The arc flash hood is essentially the
same technology as the face shield
and balaclava but with one key
difference.
1. Instead of being pressed against
your skin, the arc flash hood is
draped over the hard-hat.
2. This provides a significant oberon arc flash hood 40 af hood ventilation pmmi arc flash
cal hood
advantage to the faceshield-balaclava system

combo
HEARING PROTECTION
- During normal working conditions,
noise may not be an issue, but in an arc
flash event, the sound is extremely high
and can cause damage.

Arc Flash and Noise Reduction Earplugs

HAND PROTECTION
- Rubber insulated gloves with leather
protectors become the primary source of
protection from electrical hazards (these
protect from both shock and arc flash).
rubber insulated leather protector bdg arc flash glove
glove
FOOT PROTECTION
- Leather is a great protector from heat energy and most times your feet are far
enough away from the source of energy that they are not exposed to the full brunt of
the arc flash.
- Dielectrically rated leather boots are perfect for an electrical worker.

Leather Boots
Dielectric Boots
IEEE 1584 Standard
IEEE 1584-2002: Guide performing Arc-Flash Hazard Calculations
IEEE 1584-2004: Amendment 1
IEEE 1584-2011: Amendment 2
IEEE 1584-2018: Guide performing Arc-Flash Hazard Calculations
Recognized Calculation Method
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Standards 29 CFR Part 1910: Occupational Safety and Health Standards

National Fire Protection Association

NFPA 70: National Electrical Code
NFPA 70E: Standards for Electrical Safety in the Workplace

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineer

IEEE C2: National Electric Safety Code
Arc Flash Test
2002 2018

300 Test 1800 Test

(932 at 600 V)
(325 at 2.7 kV)
(202 at 4.0 kV)
(400 at 15 kV)
Calculation Parameters
2002 2018

Voltage Voltage
Bolted Fault Current Bolted Fault Current
Arc Time Arc Time
Working Distance Working Distance
Electrode Gap Electrode Gap
Distance Factor Enclosure Size
Enclosure Type Electrode Configuration System
Grounding
Range of Model - Voltage
2002 2018

208 V – 15 kV 208 V – 15 kV

(Low Voltage < 1000 V) (Low Voltage < 600 V)

(Medium Voltage > 1000 V)(Medium Voltage > 600 V)
Range of Model – Freqeuncy
2002 2018

50 Hz through 60Hz 50 Hz or 60Hz

Range of Model – Fault Current
2002 2018

700 A – 106 kA 500 A – 106 kA (208 – 600 V)

200 A – 65 kA (601 – 15 kV)
Range of Model – Electrode Gap
2002 2018

13 mm – 152 mm 6.35 mm – 76.2 mm (208 V – 600 V)

19.05 mm – 254 mm (601 V – 15 kV)
Electrode Gap (IEEE Typical
Values)
Equipment Type Gap

15 kV Switchgear 152 mm
15 kV MCC 152 mm

5 kV Switchgear 104 mm
5 kV MCC 104 mm

Low Voltage Switchgear 32 mm

Low Voltage MCCs and Panelboards (Typical) 25 mm
Low Voltage MCCs and Panelboards (Shallow) 25 mm

Cable Junction Box 13 mm

Range of Model – Working distance
2002 2018

No Limit. > 12 in.

Working Distances (IEEE Typical
Values)
Equipment Type Gap

15 kV Switchgear 36 in
15 kV MCC 36 in

5 kV Switchgear 36 in
5 kV MCC 36 in

Low Voltage Switchgear 24 in

Low Voltage MCCs and Panelboards (Typical) 18 in
Low Voltage MCCs and Panelboards (Shallow) 18 in

Cable Junction Box 18 in

Electrode Configuration
2002 2018

Enclosed VCB
VCBB
HCB

Open Air VOA

HOA
Enclosed Configuration
VCB
Vertical Electrodes
Inside a metal enclosure
Enclosed Configuration
VCBB
Vertical Electrodes
Terminated in an insulating barrier
Inside a metal enclosure
Enclosed Configuration
HCB
Horizontal Electrodes
Inside a metal enclosure
Enclosed Configuration
VOA
Vertical Electrodes
In open air
Enclosed Configuration
HOA
Horizontal Electrodes
In open air
Enclosure Size
2002 2018

Distance Factor Correction Factor

Voltage Height
Equipment Type Width
Depth
Enclosure Size (IEEE Typical
Values)
Equipment Type HxWxD

15 kV Switchgear 45 x 30 x 30 in.
15 kV MCC 36 x 36 x 36 in.

5 kV Switchgear 36 x 36 x 36 in.
5 kV Switchgear 45 x 30 x 30 in.
5 kV MCC 26 x 26 x 26 in.

Low Voltage Switchgear 20 x 20 x 20 in.

Low Voltage MCCs and Panelboards (Typical) 14 x 12 x >8 in.
Low Voltage MCCs and Panelboards (Shallow) 14 x 12 x <8 in.

Cable Junction Box 14 x 12 x 8 in.

Arc Flash Boundary
2002 2018

1.2 cal/cm2 1.2 cal/cm2

(or rating of proposed PPE)
Reduced Arcing Current
2002 2018

208 V through 1 kV 208 V through 15 kV

100% and 85% 100% and Varying %
Arc Sustainability
2002 2018

< 240 V < 240 V

< 125 kVA Transformer < 2000 A Bolted Fault Current
Out of Model Range
2002 2018

Ralph Lee Method No Recommendation

Current Limiting Fuses
2002 2018

600 V 600 V

18 in. Working Distance

VCB Electrode Configuration
System Grounding
2002 2018

Reduced Arc Flash Not Considered

Arc Time (2 Second Rule)
2002 2018

2 Seconds 2 Seconds
Reasonable Maximum Time Reasonable Maximum Time

Dependent on Work Task

Egress May Be Blocked
Use Engineering Judgement
Single Phase
2002 2018

Conservative Results Incident energy is expected to

For single phase systems be conservative
DC Systems
2002 2018

DC operation is not included Arc flash calculation for DC

in the empirically derived model. Systems is not part of this
model.
THANK YOU