ARC FLASH

NewWay Academy
ARC Flash definition:
• It occurs when an electric current flows through an air
gap between conductors.
• The term “ARC Flash” used to describe low impedance
connections in an electrical system, which allows
movement of electric current through the air from one
voltage phase to another phase or to the ground.
• This lead to very fast rise in temperature and pressure in
the air between electrical conductors, causing an
explosion known as an “arc blast”.
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The reason of ARC Flash
• Arc flash occurs when several electrical conductors are
placed close to each other with significant high current
(fault).
• In this situation, the ionization of the air can occur due
to the potential difference which leads to a very low
impedance path allowing the fault current to flow
through the air gap between conductors.
• Dust, corrosion, other impurities on the conductor
surface.

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The effect of Arc flash
• Large shock wave which can blow the person off their
feet.
• Loss of memory or brain damage.
• Hearing loss because of ruptured eardrums. As the sound
associated with the blast can greatly exceed the sound of
a jet engine.
• Shock hazard due to touching the energized conductor.
• If the person is standing on ladder or chair, he can be
blown off it.

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The effect of Arc flash
• The degree of injury depends on how powerful
the arc flash is, the distance of the person from
the arc flash and whether the person is wearing
the personal protective equipment {PPE} or not
during the ARC flash.
Etap usage
• By using the Etap we’ll get values as incident energy
“ARC flash power”. Safety distance from the equipment
and required PPE according to NFPA {National Fire
Protection Association}.
• Can also produce danger label details
Etap usage
• Working distance: is the distance between your hands and the point
of arc flash.
• The point of origin of arc flash will typically be inside enclosure, at
an energized conductor or bus.

• If you are wearing 7.22 cal/cm2 PPE, then you would be safe at 18in
away from the flash origin
ARC FLASH
NewWay Academy
ARC flash boundaries

ARC Flash boundary:

• It is usually calculated according to incident energy “7.22 Cal/cm2”
• At this distance, the worker without wearing appropriate PPE would
receive second degree burns.
• The line which nobody should pass without training and PPE.
ARC flash boundaries

Limited Approach boundary:

• It may be exposed to shock hazard.
• Appropriate PPE should be worn by qualified workers in the limited
space.
• Non-qualified workers should not stay inside this boundary unless
wearing proper PPE and accompanied by a worker with specialized
training
ARC flash boundaries

Restricted Approach boundary:

• It is the area closest to the live, exposed equipment within the
restricted boundary.
• In order to enter this area, you must be a qualified worked with the
proper training and PPE.
• If you want to perform work on the energized equipment, you will
need permit and documentation.
ARC flash boundaries

Porhibited Approach boundary:

• It is the distance from an exposed energized component where the
effects of an electric arc would be the same as actually touching a
live part.
• Nobody should be within this area while the equipment is still on.
• In this example, it’s 0.1ft or 1.2inch.
ARC flash boundaries
PPE levels