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Turpower Associates Application Note #109

An arc-flash occurs when a short circuit or insulation breakdown creates a high-temperature electric arc that can severely burn or injure nearby personnel. An arc-flash hazard analysis determines the protective equipment and safety distances needed around energized equipment by analyzing a facility's power system and potential energy levels during an arc-flash. Regulations like OSHA and NFPA require facilities to assess arc-flash hazards and verify protective measures through hazard analyses. Engineering firms specializing in arc-flash analyses can help facilities comply with safety regulations and protect workers from arc-flash injuries.

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40 views1 page

Turpower Associates Application Note #109

An arc-flash occurs when a short circuit or insulation breakdown creates a high-temperature electric arc that can severely burn or injure nearby personnel. An arc-flash hazard analysis determines the protective equipment and safety distances needed around energized equipment by analyzing a facility's power system and potential energy levels during an arc-flash. Regulations like OSHA and NFPA require facilities to assess arc-flash hazards and verify protective measures through hazard analyses. Engineering firms specializing in arc-flash analyses can help facilities comply with safety regulations and protect workers from arc-flash injuries.

Uploaded by

bertovalen
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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TurPower Associates Application Note #109

Why perform an arc-flash hazard analysis ?

Starting at the beginning... an electrical arc oc-


curs when a short circuit or insulation breakdown The NFPA estimates that up
occurs and the insulating materials can not contain to 80% of all injuries from a
the applied voltage. The short circuit creates a by- release of electrical energy
pass around a circuit, generating heat and high cur- are due to arc-flash, like the
rent that melts/vaporizes the conducting material, one shown to the left.
creating an arc. The arc-flash produces a large
amount of heat that can burn the skin of a nearby
Governing Regulations
person and/or set their clothing on fire. From the
fault location, the arc-flash can also emit a flash of OSHA’s Electrical Safety Requirements for Em-
light, loud noises, ionized gases, metal vapors, ployee Workplaces [OSHA 29 CFR 1910.132(d)]
shrapnel, and shock waves that can actually blow a says, “The employer shall assess the workplace to
person off of his or her feet. Needless to say, an arc- determine if hazards are present, or are likely to be
flash can result in serious injury or death to nearby present, which necessitate the use of personal pro-
personnel. tective equipment (PPE). If such hazards are
present, or likely to be present, the employer shall...
An arc-flash could happen anytime, but espe-
verify that the required workplace hazard assess-
cially when transformers have been upgraded, elec-
ment has been performed through a written certifi-
trical equipment has been added, or the facility has
cation that identifies the workplace evaluated...”
expanded. With these situations, it is likely that the
protective devices have not been reviewed and are NFPA 70 Section 110.16 says “Flash protection.
not at appropriate settings. Switchboards, panelboards, industrial control pan-
els, motor control centers in other than dwelling oc-
What is an arc-flash hazard analysis?
cupancies, that are likely to require examination,
An arc-flash hazard analysis looks at the pro- adjustment, servicing, or maintenance while ener-
tective devices and coordination of the power sys- gized shall be field marked to warn qualified per-
tem and takes this process a step further by deter- sons of potential electric arc flash hazards.”
mining incipent energy levels and analyzing the arc-
How do I get an arc-flash hazard analysis?
flash and shock hazards at the facility. This enables
the owner or manager to protect the safety of per- Engineering firms that perform arc-hazard analy-
sonnel by describing appropriate Personal Protec- ses are not easily found. The company needs to be
tion Equipment (PPE) for working near energized experienced, specifically trained in arc-flash hazard
equipment, as well as safe distances around pieces analysis, and know the regulations. Call TruPower
of equipment like substations, switchboards, panel Associates, your resource for arc-flash hazard analy-
boards, and motor/industrial control panels. sis, to learn more.

TruPower Associates, Inc., 3922L Vero Road, Baltimore, MD 21227


(410)242-2300 FAX (410)242-2808 Visit our Web site at www.trupower.net

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