0% found this document useful (0 votes)
134 views15 pages

Clothing - Neal Document

ARC FLASH

Uploaded by

miguelpaltino
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
0% found this document useful (0 votes)
134 views15 pages

Clothing - Neal Document

ARC FLASH

Uploaded by

miguelpaltino
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 15

TESTING UPDATE ON PROTECTIVE CLOTHING & EQUIPMENT

FOR ELECTRIC ARC EXPOSURE

Copyright Material IEEE


Paper NO. PCIC-97-35

Richard L. Doughty Dr. Thomas E. Neal Terrence A. Dear Allen H. Bingham


Fellow, IEEE Non-Member, IEEE Non-Member, IEEE Assoc. Member, IEEE
E. I. duPont deNemours & Co. E. I. duPont deNemours & Co. E. I. duPont deNemours & Co. Bingham Consultants
P.O. Box 80840 P.O. Box 80715 1007 Market Street 2585 Brushy Nob Lane
Wilmington, DE 19880-0840 Wilmington, DE 19880-0715 Wilmington, DE 19898 Stockbridge, GA 30281

Abstract: This paper includes an update on testing to the human ear due to the rapid heating of air surrounding
characterize electric arcs and the performance of flame the arc. A separate series of tests was also conducted to
resistant clothing, first reported on at the 1996 Petroleum determine the protection characteristics of polycarbonate
Chemical Industry Conference. The goal of this work is to faceshields/hoods and common leather work gloves.
assist electrical personnel in selecting appropriate arc
protective clothing and equipment based on readily Clothing Recommendations
available electrical system parameters and the task to be
performed. Updated protective clothing guidelines and ASTM F18.10 Subcommittee has developed two provisional
detailed testing results on cotton ignitability and para and test methods that use single-phase arcs to determine the
meta-aramid protective clothing systems are included. ignitability and the thermal performance of fabrics used in
Results of additional three phase arc testing at 600 volts, clothing for workers exposed to the electric arc hazard. The
including accoustical measurements, are discussed, as first test method, ASTM PS57 [1], determines the ignitability
well as results of separate testing performed on of a textile material in single or multiple layers. Fifty shirts
polycarbonate face shields/hoods and leather work gloves. of each fabric are mounted on a mannequin instrumented
with calorimeters and exposed to an electric arc to
Introduction determine fabric ignitability. The second test method, ASTM
PS58 [2], quantifies the thermal performance of flame
Workers in electric utilities and in industry have a pressing resistant (FR) materials. This method exposes FR fabric to
need to be able to: 1) predict the amount of available heat energy from an electric arc and measures the Arc
incident energy due to electric arc exposure on their Thermal Performance Value (ATPV) of the fabric. Fabric
electrical transmission and distribution systems, and 2) performance is determined from the amount of heat energy
select appropriate protective clothing and equipment that tranmitted by the fabric, and the observed effect of the
reduces injury in the event of an arc exposure. Significant electric arc exposure on the fabric. The test procedure
progress has been made in characterizing the utilizes three panels instrumented with calorimeters which
performance of clothing as evidenced by the development are covered with the material being tested.
of provisional test procedures by ASTM Committee F18 on
Electrical Protective Equipment for Workers. Predicting Cotton Fabric Ignitability
incident energy levels based upon electrical system
characteristics, however, has been a more difficult task. Cotton clothing is commonly worn due to its comfort and
The inherent variability of arcs, the complex physics economy, however, severe burn injury can occur if the
involved, and the wide variation in enclosures used in cotton clothing ignites during an arc exposure. TABLE I
electrical equipment have complicated the process of summarizes the probability of ignition as a function of
estimating incident energy. A significant amount has incident energy levels for a variety of cotton fabrics. Fabric
been learned about the characteristics of electric arcs, but weight is measured in ounces per square yard, opsy.
additional testing is required to more accurately quantify
the incident energy available at a specified distance from Clothing Guidelines
an electric arc on a utility or industrial electric power
system. The authors presented initial results in [3] of fabric testing
utilizing the ASTM PS58 test method. Since that time a
Additional testing was completed at an independent high significant number of additional tests have been performed.
current test laboratory in Canada to allow better estimation Protective clothing guidelines have been updated in Table II
of the maximum incident energy that can be produced by to show more accurate ranges of tolerable levels of incident
3-phase electric arcs contained in cubic boxes on 600 volt energy for FR clothing systems to avoid a second degree
power distribution systems. Sound pressure burn. ATPV is defined in the ASTM PS58 standard as the
measurements were also made during the 3-phase arc incident energy that would just cause the onset of a second
tests to allow characterization of the potential hazard to degree burn. See [3] for a detailed discussion of the Stoll

1
TABLE I
Incident Energy Expressed In cal/cm2 Versus Probability of Ignition*
100% Untreated Cotton Fabric

Probability of Ignition 1% 10 % 50 % 90 %
Mean L95% Mean L95% Mean L95% Mean L95%
Cotton Fabric Description CL** CL CL CL
5.2 opsy Twill, Blue, Shirt Material 5.0 3.0 5.7 4.6 6.3 5.9 6.9 6.5
6.2 opsy Fleece, White, Shirt Material 9.3 0.9 10.7 6.4 12.0 10.9 13.3 12.5
6.9 opsy Twill, Blue, Shirt Material 5.6 2.4 6.9 5.3 8.0 7.5 9.1 8.5
6.9 opsy Twill, Blue, Shirt Material Over 4.6 opsy 4.8 -17.2+ 6.4 -2.9+ 7.9 6.2 9.4 8.2
Jersey Knit, White, Hanes T-Shirt
8.0 opsy Twill, Black, Shirt or Pant Material 6.9 4.3 7.4 6.1 7.9 7.5 8.3 8.1
8.3 opsy Sateen, White, Shirt or Pant Material 11.8 5.7 14.5 11.6 17.0 16.0 19.5 18.2
11.9 opsy Duck, Tan, Shirt or Pant Material 12.2 4.3 15.0 11.3 17.6 16.7 20.2 18.9
12.8 opsy Denim, Blue, Jean Material 16.1 11.9 17.6 15.5 19.0 18.3 20.3 19.6
13.3 opsy Denim, Blue, Jean Material 16.8 12.4 18.0 15.9 19.1 18.6 20.2 19.6
* Results determined per the ASTM Provisional Arc Test Method PS57.
** L95% CL is “Lower 95% Confidence Level” for a given set of data points.
+ Negative incident energy values indicate uncertainty due to data availability at the 1% and 10% probability of ignition
levels. Incident energy cannot be less than zero.

TABLE II
Protective Clothing Guidelines For The Electrical Arc Hazard

Proposed Protective FR Clothing System Estimated Incident Energy


Clothing Classes for Onset of Second
Degree Burn
Proposed Range of Clothing Clothing Total Arc Thermal Performance
Calculated Incident Class Description Weight Exposure Value (ATPV) or
Energy++ No. Breakopen Threshold Energy (EBT)
cal/cm2 (No. of Layers) oz/yd2 cal/cm2
0-2 0 Untreated 4.5-7 n/a
Cotton (1)
2-5 1 FR Shirt (1) 4.5-8 5-7
5-8 2 T-Shirt plus 9-12 8-18
FR Shirt and
Pants (2)
8-25 3 T-Shirt plus 16-20 25-50
FR Shirt/Pants plus
FR Coverall (3)
25-40 4 T-Shirt plus 24-30 40->60
FR Shirt/Pants plus
Double Layer
Switching Coat (4)
++ Proposed range of incident energy to minimize a second degree burn to skin covered by the clothing system.

second degree burn curve. As discussed in [3], if the cannot be measured due to FR fabric breakopen.
incident energy is less than 1.2 cal/cm2, exposed skin would Breakopen is defined as any opening in the innermost
not be expected to receive a second degree burn injury. If (nearest the protected surface) layer of FR fabric of more
2 2
the incident energy is 1.2 to 2.0 cal/cm , exposed skin would than 0.5 in area or a slit or crack in the innermost FR fabric
be expected to receive a second degree burn for exposure of more than 1 inch length in any dimension. In the event of
times of 1.0 to 0.01 second, respectively. A range of ATPV FR fabric breakopen, a flammable fabric underlayer or
values is given in Table II to account for the range of human skin is directly exposed to incident energy.
protective characteristics for available FR fabrics.
Para and Meta-Aramid Clothing Systems
EBT is also reported according to ASTM PS58 and is defined
as the average of the five highest incident energy values Table III shows test results for single layer meta-aramid
which did not cause FR fabric breakopen and did not exceed fabrics based on simulated arc exposures in a testing
the second degree burn criteria. EBT is reported when ATPV laboratory. Real arc exposures may be more or less severe

2
TABLE III
Typical Arc Testing Results For Single Layer Meta-aramid Fabrics*

Fabric Weight, Description & Color+ Arc Thermal Performance Value Heat Attenuation Factor
ATPV Mean Indiv. Value HAF Mean Indiv. Value
95% CI** 95% CI 95% CI 95% CI
opsy cal/cm2 cal/cm2 cal/cm2 % % %
4.8 Royal Blue 5.0 4.6-5.3 3.6-6.3 60.2 57.5-62.8 50.5-69.9
4.7 Orange 5.2 4.8-5.5 3.8-6.6 62.7 60.5-65.0 53.9-71.5
4.8 White 4.6 4.4-4.9 3.7-5.6 67.9 66.0-69.9 60.5-75.4
4.8 Black 5.3 5.0-5.6 4.2-6.4 59.2 56.8-61.5 50.3-68.1
6.0 Jersey Knit 5.9 5.5-6.2 4.8-6.9 64.6 61.9-67.3 56.3-73.0
6.4 Royal Blue 6.4 5.9-6.9 4.9-7.8 67.6 65.4-69.7 61.7-73.9
7.1 Royal Blue Twill 7.2 6.8-7.7 5.8-8.6 68.9 66.9-70.8 62.4-75.3
7.9 Royal Blue 7.0 6.7-7.4 5.4-8.7 66.6 65.1-68.2 61.4-75.0
9.1 Navy Denim 9.7 9.1-10.2 7.6-11.8 75.1 74.4-75.8 72.7-77.5
11.7 Navy Knit Sweatshirt 20.5BT n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a
* Results determined per the ASTM Provisional Arc Test Method PS58.
** 95% CI is “95% Confidence Interval”.
+
Fabrics are woven except where noted as knits.
BT Indicates Breakopen Threshold Energy.

TABLE IV
Para And Meta-aramid Specialty Fabric Electric Arc Test Results*

Fabric Weight & Description Arc Thermal Performance Value Heat Attenuation Factor
ATPV Mean Indiv. Value HAF Mean Indiv. Value
95% CI** 95% CI 95% CI 95% CI
opsy cal/cm2 cal/cm2 cal/cm2 % % %
7.8 Rainwear Fabric 11.2 10.3-12.1 8.2-14.2 74.8 74.7-75.7 71.5-77.9
Breathable Trilaminate
Meta-Aramid/Permeable Membrane/
Meta-Aramid
10.1 Rainwear Fabric 10.6 9.8-11.3 7.7-13.5 73.5 71.9-75.2 67.0-80.1
Impermeable Chloroprene-Coated
Meta-Aramid
Outerwear Fabric - 2 Layer System 18.4 17.5-19.3 14.4-22.4 87.6 87.2-87.9 85.8-89.4
4.2 Cotton T-Shirt Knit
7.8 60% Para-Aramid /
40% Meta-Aramid
* Results determined per the ASTM Provisional Arc Test Method PS58.
** 95% CI is “95% Confidence Interval.”

TABLE V
Typical Arc Testing Results For Two Layer Meta-aramid Fabric Systems

Two Layer Fabric Systems Breakopen Threshold Energy*


Fabric Weight & Description Total System Weight EBT
opsy opsy cal/cm2
4.2 Cotton T-Shirt Knit 8.9 11.0
4.7 Meta-Aramid Royal Blue
4.2 Cotton T-Shirt Knit 9.0 10.8
4.8 Meta-Aramid Black
4.2 Cotton T-Shirt Knit 9.0 9.9
4.8 Meta-Aramid White
4.2 Cotton T-Shirt Knit 10.4 13.3
6.2 Meta-Aramid Royal Blue
* Breakopen Threshold Energy (EBT) was determined per the ASTM Provisional Arc Test Method PS58.

3
TABLE VI
Typical Arc Testing Results For Three & Four Layer Para And Meta-aramid Fabric Systems

Multi-Layer Fabric Systems Breakopen Threshold Energy*


Fabric Weight & Description Number Of Total System Weight EBT
opsy Layers opsy cal/cm2
4.2 Cotton T-Shirt Knit 3 15 35.8
4.7 Meta-Aramid
6.2 Meta-Aramid
4.2 Cotton T-Shirt Knit 3 17 46.2
4.7 Meta-Aramid
7.8 60% Para-Aramid/40% Meta-Aramid
4.2 Cotton T-Shirt Knit 3 20 >50
Two Layers -
7.8 60% Para-Aramid/40% Meta-Aramid
4.2 Cotton T-Shirt Knit 4 25 >50
4.7 Meta-Aramid
Two Layers - 7.9 Meta-Aramid
4.2 Cotton T-Shirt Knit 4 25 >60
4.7 Meta-Aramid
Two Layers -
7.8 60% Para-Aramid/40% Meta-Aramid
* Breakopen Threshold Energy (EBT) was determined per the ASTM Provisional Arc Test Method P558.

than these laboratory simulated arc exposures. Arc 15 kA, open circuit voltage - 3000 V, 12“ arc electrode gap, arc
parameters used for these tests were: arc current - 8 kA, duration 15-30 cycles, fabric 12 inches from arc centerline.
open circuit voltage - 3000 V, 12” arc electrode gap, arc
duration 4-24 cycles, fabric 12 inches from arc center Three-Phase Arc Testing Program
line. Heat Attenuation Factor, HAF, is the percent of
incident energy blocked by the fabric or system. Meta- Three phase arc testing described in [3] was conducted with
aramid fabrics contain 5% para-aramid and 2% antistatic the arc electrodes contained in a rectangular box with the
fiber unless otherwise noted in Tables III, IV, V, and VI. following dimensions: 22” high x 14” wide x 13” deep.
Results from this initial testing indicated that the presence of
Table IV shows test results for para and meta-aramid the box increased the incident energy in front of the box, but
specialty fabrics based on simulated arc exposures in a no 3-phase test results in open air were available to allow a
testing laboratory. Real arc exposures may be more or direct comparison of the incident energy from an open 3-
less severe than these laboratory simulated arc phase arc versus a 3-phase arc enclosed in a box. Since it
exposures. Arc parameters used for these tests were: arc was believed that a box with dimensions approximating a
current - 8 kA, open circuit voltage - 3000 V, 12” arc cube would provide a maximum focusing effect, the decision
electrode gap, arc duration 8-20 cycles, fabric 12 inches was made to conduct a series of 3-phase arc tests in open
from arc center line. air and with the electrodes enclosed in a cubic box. A
description of the test setup and test results follows.
Arc testing results for two layer meta-aramid fabric
systems are shown in Table V and are based on Test Setup
simulated arc exposures in a testing laboratory. Real arc
exposures may be more or less severe than these The test facility power is provided from the 13.8 kV tertiary
laboratory simulated arc exposures. Arc parameters winding of a transformer supplied directly from the utility. In
used for these tests: arc current - 8 kA, open circuit order to simulate conductors in electrical equipment, hard
voltage - 3000V, 12” arc electrode gap, arc duration 8-12 drawn copper electrodes, 3/4 inch in diameter, were used for
cycles, fabric 12 inches from arc center line. the arc testing. Electrodes were vertically oriented, uniformly
spaced in a delta or flat configuration. Arcs were initiated by
In Table VI typical arc testing results are shown for three a light gauge fuse wire connected between the ends of the
and four layer para and meta-aramid fabric systems and electrodes.
are based on simulated arc exposures in a testing
laboratory. Real arc exposures may be more or less Open circuit test voltages were selected at or above the
severe than these laboratory simulated arc exposures. nominal system voltage of 600 V to allow simulation of worst
Arc parameters used for these tests were: arc current 12- case 3-phase faults on low voltage industrial power systems.

4
FIGURE 1. Copper Calorimeter On Test Stand

The prospective (bolted) fault current available at the test


terminals was kept the same for the entire series of tests
and was measured to be 36.25 kA when the electrodes
were shorted together. The duration of all arc tests was
selected to be 6 cycles (0.1 s) to minimize unnecessary
damage to the test setup. Prior testing [3] demonstrated
that incident energy was directly proportional to the
duration of the arc, so incident energy for different arc
durations can easily be calculated. FIGURE 2. Test Setup No. 1
3-Phase Flat Electrode In Open Air
Incident energy was measured by copper calorimeters
mounted on stands as shown in Figure 1. Copper electrodes. Three calorimeters (Nos. 1-3) were located at
calorimeter temperature rise data in degrees C can be the same height as the tip of the electrodes. A second set
converted into incident energy in cal/cm2. To calculate of three calorimeters (Nos. 4-6) was located 6 inches
incident energy in cal/cm2, multiply the copper calorimeter below the elevation of the electrode tips, and a single
temperature rise, degrees C., by 0.135 cal/cm2-degrees C. calorimeter (No. 7) was located 6 inches above the
Sensor absorptivity measurements have determined that elevation of the electrode tips. Calorimeters Nos. 2, 5,
absorbed energy is equal to or greater than 90% of and 7 were aligned with the center line of the electrodes.
incident energy for copper calorimeters. Henceforth, A single calorimeter No. 8 was used as a roving probe at
incident and absorbed energy will be considered as varying distances from the arc. Two condenser
equivalent, and the term incident energy will be used. microphones were mounted 6 feet away from and at the
same elevation as the tip of the electrodes.
The data acquisition system recorded voltage, current, &
temperature rise from eight copper calorimeters, and Test setup No. 1 was for a 3-phase arc in open air using 3
acoustic pressure from two condenser microphones. Fiber vertical electrodes in either flat (shown in Figure 2) or
optic isolating devices eliminated electrical noise pickup by delta configuration. The array of 7 calorimeters and the
the data acquisition system. Arc current, arc voltage, arc two sound microphones are clearly visible in Figure 2.
energy and arc duration as well as sound pressure and Calorimeter No. 8 is visible in the foreground to the right.
temperature rise for each individual calorimeter were For all test setups it was necessary to install insulating
recorded for each test. Arc current and voltage were support blocks between adjacent electrodes to prevent the
digitally sampled every 0.1 milliseconds, calorimeter electrodes from bending outward due to the extremely high
temperature rise every 20 milliseconds, and sound magnetic forces created by the arc currents.
pressure every 0.01 milliseconds. Sample rates were
selected to minimize date storage requirements yet insure Test Setup No. 2 is similar to Setup No. 1 except that the
adequate measurement accuracy. three vertical electrodes were in flat configuration only,
and were installed 4 inches in front of a metal back plate
Three different test setups were used for the 3-phase arc (plane). Tests were run with the metal back plate either
testing. For each setup, an array of seven copper ungrounded or grounded to B phase. Figure 3 shows a
calorimeters was located 2 feet from the center line of the view of Test Setup No. 2.

5
FIGURE 5. Side View of Test Setup No. 3 of Figure 4

maximum amplication of arc energy. Tests were


conducted with the back of the box either ungrounded or
grounded to B phase. Figure 4 shows a front view of Test
Setup No. 3. A side view is shown in Figure 5.
FIGURE 3. Test Setup No. 2
3-Phase Flat Electrodes in Front of Plane Test Results

A series of 3-phase arc tests was conducted during a one


week period. All three conductors supplying the arc
electrodes were shorted together initially to determine the
bolted fault current available for the test setup. The initial
plan was to test both 3-phase and phase-to-phase arcs
using the same setup for comparison purposes. Early in
the testing, it was determined that phase-to-phase arcs in
air using parallel vertical electrodes were generally not
stable and would extinguish prior to the end of the 6 cycle
test period. With electrodes in parallel, the magnetic
forces generated by the arc current tend to force the arc
down and away from the electrodes, increasing the arc
length and helping to extinguish the arc. Accordingly, the
decision was made to proceed with 3-phase tests only.

Due to the presence of harmonics, it was not possible to


connect the potential measuring transformers in wye
configuration. Consequently, the actual arc energy for
each of the phases could not measured by integration as
was recommended in [3]. Instead, an estimate of arc
energy was calculated by multlplying (phase-to-phase
voltage/√3) by the phase current for each phase, summing
the result for all 3 phases, and then multiplying the result
FIGURE 4. Test Setup No. 3 by the arc duration.
3 Phase Flat Electrodes In Box
In order to reduce the impact of arc variability, four tests
Test Setup No. 3 utilized three vertical electrodes in flat were run for each setup and the results averaged as
configuration only, mounted inside and 4 inches from the shown in Table VII below. The temperature rise for each
back of a metal box (22” wide x 20” high x 21” deep). The of the 7 copper calorimeter sensors was averaged and
box dimensions were selected to be close to a cube since then a correction factor applied to insure that each
it was hypothesized that the cubic box might produce reported temperature rise was for a 100 millisecond

6
TABLE VII
3-Phase Arc Test Results

Vert. Electrode Box Average Average Average 6 Cycle Arc 3 Highest Reading
Setup Elec- Spacing Back Ph-Ph Phase Approx. 7 Sensor Mean Sensors - Mean
Description trode Ph-Ph (C/L) Grounding Arc Current Arc Power Temp. Rise @ 2 Ft. Temp. Rise @ 2 Ft.
Config. Inches Voltage kA kW Deg. C Deg. C
Bolted Fault n/a Short n/a n/a 36.25 n/a n/a n/a
Open Arc Delta 1.25 (2.0) n/a 322.7 19.93 12963 8.0 8.9
Open Arc Delta 2.0 (2.75) n/a 338.4 14.12 8791 8.0 8.6
Open Arc Flat 0.75 (1.5) n/a 247.9 25.52 13036 14.2 15.0
Open Arc Flat 1.0 (1.75) n/a 267.9 24.23 13676 13.1 14.1
Open Arc Flat 1.25 (2.0) n/a 284.2 22.12 13426 14.7 16.3
Open Arc Flat 2.0 (2.75) n/a 327.6 17.79 12346 13.4 14.2
Open Arc Flat 3.0 (3.75) n/a 364.8 11.76 8492 8.7 9.1
Box - Back Only Flat 0.75 (1.5) Ungrounded 268.2 24.9 14139 12.4 13.3
Box - Back Only Flat 1.0 (1.75) Ungrounded 265.5 24.67 14035 15.3 16.8
Box - Back Only Flat 1.25 (2.0) Ungrounded 301.5 22.82 14440 15.8 17.2
Box - Back Only Flat 1.25 (2.0) B Ph. Grnd. 267 21.7 11695 12.7 13.8
Box-22Wx20Hx21D Flat 1.25 (2.0) Ungrounded 212.6 28.67 11741 45.4 51.6
BoX-22Wx20Hx21D Flat 1.25 (2.0) B Ph. Grnd. 179.2 28.09 9215 43.1 49.8

600 Volt System - Arc Voltage & Current 600 V System - 3-Phase Arc Impedance
For 3-Phase Arcs Vertical Electrodes - Flat Configuration
Vertical Electrodes - Flat Configuration Prospective Fault Current 36.25 kA
Prospective Fault Current 36.25 kA 18.00 200%
400 30 16.00

As % Electrical
14.00

Arc Impedance

System Imped.
25 150%
Impedance,

300 12.00
milliohms
Arc Current,
Voltage, V.
Ph-Ph Arc

20 10.00
Arc

100%
kA

200 15 8.00
10 6.00
100 50%
5 4.00
0 0 2.00
0.00 0%
0.75 1 1.25 2 3
0.75

1.25
1

Electrode Side-Side Arc Voltage


Spacing, Inches Electrode Side-Side Spacing, Inches
Arc Current

FIGURE 6. Arc Current & Voltage For 3-Phase Arcs In FIGURE 7. Arc Impedance For 3-Phase Arcs In
Open Air Open Air

duration. The corrected average temperature rise of the A plot of arc impedance in millohms is shown in Figure 7
three highest reading sensors is also indicated in the table. along with the arc impedance as a percentage of electrical
Open circuit voltage was generally in the range 610-620 V. system impedance. Based upon Ralph Lee’s theory [4],
the maximum arc power should occur when the arc
Figures 6, 7 and 8 show plotted data for the series of impedance is equal to the system impedance (See
open arc tests using vertical electrodes in a flat Appendix). Accordingly, the data in Figure 7 predicts that
configuration. Figure 6 is a plot of arc current and voltage. the maximum arc power occurs for an electrode side-side
Note that the curves of current and voltage are very similar spacing of approximately 1.5 inches.
to those shown in [3] for single phase arcs, except that the
current dropoff with increasing electrode spacing is Arc power and incident energy are shown in Figure 8.
sharper for the 3-phase arcs with parallel vertical The maximum measured arc power occurred at an
electrodes. electrode side-side spacing of 1 inch. This spacing

7
A comparison of the incident energy at 2 feet from 3-
600 Volt System - Arc Power & phase arcs with vertical electrodes in flat configuration
Incident Energy For 3-Phase Arcs - (1.25 inch side-side spacing) under the different test
Vert. Electrode, Flat Config. setups is shown in Figure 9. The results indicate that with
@ 2 Ft. Distance From Arc the 22” W x 20” H x 21” D box, the incident energy is
multiplied by a factor of 3 as compared to the incident
14000 2.50
energy produced by open arcs. The effect of placing the
12000 arc in front of the metal wall or plane was relatively slight,
2.00
10000
Arc Power,

increasing the incident energy by only 7%. The effect of

cal/cm 2
Energy,
Incident
8000 1.50
grounding the metal backplane or the back of the box was
kW

6000 1.00 to decrease the incident energy.


4000
0.50
2000 Considering results from each of the 600 volt 3-phase arc
0 0.00 tests, the maximum arc power measured was equal to
0.75

1.25
1

3
77% of the theoretical maximum 3-phase arc power
calculated per Equation (1) & (2) in the Appendix. This
Electrode Side-Side Arc Pow er percentage is very close to the value of 79% which was
Spacing, Inches Incid. Energy determined in [3] for single phase arcs at 600 volts. The
conclusion is reached that Equation (1) in the Appendix
can be used to estimate the maximum arc power of either
FIGURE 8. Arc Power & Incident Energy For 3-Phase single or 3-phase arcs only for electrode spacings which
Arcs In Open Air produce the maximum arc power. Note that for electrode
spacings that do not generate maximum arc power, the
is considerably smaller than the electrode end-end spacing actual arc power may be significantly less than calculated
of 3 inches determined for single phase arcs in [3], most using Equation (1) in the Appendix.
probably due to the effect of the magnetic field pushing the
arc down and increasing its effective length relative to the Discussion Of Sound Pressure Measurements
electrode side-side spacing. Except for a minor dip at an
electrode side-side spacing of 1.0 inch, the incident energy Sound pressure measurements were made during the 3-
followed the arc power curve down, decreasing after phase arc tests using condenser microphones. Two
reaching a maximum at 1.25 inch side-side spacing. microphones were placed 6 feet away from the center line
of the electrodes, at the same elevation as the tip of the
electrodes, and at right angles to the plane
of the electrodes. Sound pressure from
Incident Energy Comparison For 3-Phase Arcs both microphones was sampled every
0.01 milliseconds and peak sound
Prospective Fault Current 36.25 kA pressure was recorded for each 3-phase
Vert. Flat Bus - 1.25" Side-Side Spacing arc test. Measurements from both
8.00 microphones were generally consistent
and were similar to the data shown in
7.00 6.13 Figure 10 for one specific 3-phase arc
Incident Energy, cal/cm2

5.82
6.00 test. The peak sound pressure of 0.42 psi
(approx. 163 dB reference 20 µ Pascal ) is
5.00
clearly shown to occur at about 32
4.00 milliseconds after initiation of the arc. The
measured peak sound pressure does not
3.00 2.13 occur at time of arc initiation due to: 1) the
1.98
1.71 time required to heat and rapidly expand
2.00
the air surrounding the arc, and 2) the
1.00 time required for the sound wave front to
travel a finite distance to the specified
0.00
microphone locations. Figure 11 shows
Plane B Ph
Ungrounded

Ungrounded
Open

Grounded
Box B Ph
Grounded

an enlarged view of the first two


Plane

Box

milliseconds of sampled data shown in


Figure 10.

Peak sound pressure measurements were


compared with measured average arc
FIGURE 9. Incident Energy Comparison - 3-Phase Arcs With Vertical phase current and average arc power for
Electrodes In Flat Configuration the 3-phase arc tests. Figure 12 indicates

8
Sound Pressure 6 Ft. From 3-Ph 24.7 kA Electric Arc (610 V Open Ckt.)
0.75" Cu Electrodes w 1" Clearance, Flat Config., Mtd. 4" From Wall
Sound Pressure Measurement By Condenser Microphone
0.5
0.4
Sound Pressure,

0.3
0.2
psi

0.1
0
-0.1 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
-0.2
Time, Milliseconds

FIGURE 10. Typical Sound Pressure vs. Time Plot For A 3-Phase Electric Arc

Sound Pressure 6 Ft. From 3-Phase Electric Arc

0.18
Sound Pressure, psi

0.13

0.08

0.03

-0.02 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2


Time, Milliseconds

FIGURE 11. Enlarged View of Initial Sound Pressure Trace In Figure D-1

Peak Sound Pressure As A Function of Average Arc Power, kW

0.7
Peak Sound Pressure, psi

0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0
0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000 12000 14000 16000

Average Arc Power, kW

FIGURE 12. Peak Sound Pressure Variation With Average Arc Power

9
Peak Sound Pressure As A Function of Average Arc Current, kA
0.7
Peak sound Pressure, psi

0.6

0.5

0.4

0.3

0.2

0.1

0
0.0 5.0 10.0 15.0 20.0 25.0 30.0
Average Arc Current, kA

FIGURE 13. Peak Sound Pressure Variation With Average Arc Current

Distribution of Peak Sound Pressure in dB


3-Phase Arc Tests
168.0
166.0
164.0
Peak Sound Press., dB

162.0
160.0
158.0
156.0
154.0
152.0
150.0
148.0
146.0
1 4 7 10 13 16 19 22 25 28 31 34 37 40 43 46 49 52 55

Test Num ber

FIGURE 14. Peak Sound Pressure Measurements

some correlation between peak sound pressure and exposure limits established by OSHA in Table G16 of the
average arc power. Peak sound pressure generally
increased as average arc power increased. The data in March 8, 1983 regulation at CFR29 1910.95 [5] are
Figure 12 could be used to calculate the acoustic exceeded, particularly where they are orders of magnitude
efficiency, the ratio of measured sound power to arc above 115 dB(A) (reference 20 µ Pascal). The 140 dB
power. When peak sound pressure is plotted against peak sound pressure level criterion established in the
average arc current in Figure 13, the peak sound pressure footnote of Table G16 is also surpassed in all test cases.
generally increased with average arc current, indicating
there was also some correlation between peak sound Depending upon the acoustical environment surrounding
pressure and average arc current. the source and the directionality of the sound field created
thereby, regulatory limits can be exceeded at distances
Figure 14 shows the distribution of peak sound pressure well beyond the six foot measurement location used in
in decibels for the 3-phase tests. These measurements these tests. For distances less than 6 feet, potential
show that, at six feet from the source, permissible exposure levels would be expected to increase as the
source is approached. Measured levels at 6 feet are well

10
above those normally associated with small arms firing by comparison.
The force experienced by the human body due to the are due to sources and/or conditions other than noise
acoustic wave (6 feet from the arc) would approximately exposure, particularly where exposure histories include
equal the maximum sound pressure level of 0.6 psi components involving impulsive noise sources such as
multiplied by the body frontal surface area. Considering those discussed here.
the body chest area only, if the area is 2.0 square feet, the
total impact of the incoming acoustic wave would be Finally, it is extremely important that traumatic ear
equivalent to a force of 173 pounds on the chest., a damage cases be treated as soon as possible at the
significant impact by any measure. highest available level of medical expertise. Unlike
progressive noise induced hearing loss due to cochlear
In several cases, particularly those where measured levels hair cell damage, ruptured eardrums can be repaired with
exceed 160 dB peak (ref. 20 µPascal), some exposed prognosis for recovery of acceptable auditory function in
individuals may suffer traumatic damage, including most cases. The key is prevention, which for impulsive
eardrum rupture. This would vary by individual noise sources, including high power electrical arcs, is
susceptibility which cannot be predetermined. Paragraph totally achievable through an OSHA-like hearing
(a) of the OSHA standard [5] specifies that “Protection conservation program with attention to appropriate
against the effects of noise exposure shall be provided personal hearing protection and/or source control
when the sound levels exceed those shown in Table G- requirements.
16….”. The footnote to Table G-16 further specifies that
“Exposure to impulsive or impact noise should not exceed Polycarbonate Face Shield Performance
140 dB peak sound pressure level”. None of the reported
test cases in this investigation would meet, without A separate series of tests was conducted to determine the
protective intervention, the simultaneously applied OSHA heat attenuation provided by commonly available
requirements limiting steady state and impulsive noise polycarbonate faceshields by subjecting them to incident
exposure of workers. Paragraph (b)(1) of that regulation energy from a single phase electric arc using the test
further specifies that feasible administrative or engineering setup for ASTM Provisional Arc Test Method PS58.
controls shall be utilized. Energy transmitted through the polycarbonate was
measured using copper calorimeters for a variety of
It is extremely important that employees exposed or different incident energy levels. Faceshields from four
potentially exposed to sound levels and/or peak sound different manufacturers were used and polycarbonate
pressure levels in the range of those reported in these test thicknesses were 0.040, 0.060 and 0.080 inches. The 80
data be required to wear personal hearing protection mil polycarbonate faceshield contained UV absorbers.
devices (PHPDs) that reduce exposure levels within the Figure 15 shows a plot of transmitted energy vs. incident
OSHA prescribed limits. It appears that some form of energy for all the faceshields tested. The data indicates
protection, which could be a flash protective hood, may that for incident energies in the range of 0-5 cal/cm2, the
prevent traumatic ear damage caused by a single event polycarbonate is less effective than a Class 1 clothing
exposure, for workers in close proximity to the arc. system (HAF = 20%) - See Table II. At higher incident
energy levels, the thicker polycarbonate samples have
Appropriate protection for those exposed or having the improved performance. For example, with an incident
potential for exposure to such noise and other sources energy level of 25 cal/cm2 the 80 mil polycarbonate has an
exceeding the OSHA limits can also prevent noise induced increased heat attenuation factor in the range of 65-72%,
permanent threshold shifts (NIPTS) from reaching hearing probably due to charring on the surface of the
impairment levels over a working lifetime. This is polycarbonate. Note, however, that for transmitted energy
particularly true where those individuals are involved in a 2
levels in excess of 1.2 cal/cm , a second degree or more
hearing conservation program (HCP) as prescribed in the serious burn would be experienced under the faceshield.
aforementioned OSHA noise regulation at paragraphs (c) Polycarbonate, even with UV inhibitors present, is not a
through (s). very effective absorber of infrared radiation.

All employees exposed or potentially exposed to sound Another series of seven tests was performed to compare
levels and/or peak sound pressure levels in the range of various forms of eye and face protection using the
those reported in this study should certainly be in such a mannequin test setup of ASTM Provisional Arc Test
hearing conservation program unless exceptions can be Method PS57. PS57 was modified with the addition of an
well defined and documented. instrumented head. Copper calorimeter sensors were
mounted on the mannequin head at the location of each
An over-all observation concerning the test data is that the eye, the mouth and under the chin (facing down). Two
sound fields appear to be typically directional. It is additional sensors to measure incident energy and the
therefore extremely important for HCP supervising mouth sensor were located 8.25 inches from the arc
physicians and audiologists to take this fact into account vertical center line. The chin sensor was located at an
in evaluation of patient exposure histories and elevation above the bottom tip of the top electrode. The
audiograms. The absence of bilateral hearing loss arc setup parameters for each of the seven tests were
patterns may not indicate that observed threshold shifts identical to allow direct comparison of the test results.

11
Measured incident energy variation was due primarily to arc variability. Table VIII shows the incident energy and

Attenuation of Incident Energy by Polycarbonate Face Shields

16.00

14.00
Transmitted Energy, cal/cm2

12.00

10.00
40 mil
8.00 60 mil
6.00 80 mil UV
4.00

2.00

0.00
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40

Incident Energy, cal/cm 2

FIGURE 15. Polycarbonate Face Shield Protective Characteristics

TABLE VIII
Face & Eye Protection Provided By Safety Glasses With 80 Mil Polycarbonate Faceshields/Hoods

Incident Transmitted Energy


Description of Head Protection / Body Wrap Energy L. Eye R. Eye Mouth Chin
cal/cm 2 cal/cm 2 cal/cm 2 cal/cm 2 cal/cm 2
Safety glasses only 23.1 8.9 8.6 25.9 23.4
Meta-aramid wrap
Safety glasses w hard hat & 80 mil UV inhib. p/c faceshield 21.1 4.8 5.2 10.2 19.4
Meta-aramid shirt
Safety glasses w hard hat & 80 mil UV inhib. p/c faceshield 22.6 5.2 4.2 9.7 20.9
Meta-aramid wrap
Safety glasses w hard hat & 80 mil gold coated p/c faceshield 20.2 2.1 2.1 4.1 7.6
Meta-aramid jacket
Safety glasses w 80 mil UV inhib. p/c hood (short bib) 24.9 5.1 4.7 7.0 3.7
Meta-aramid jacket
Safety glasses w 80 mil UV inhib. p/c hood (long bib + 6") 23 4.3 3.9 5.4 0.2*
Meta-aramid switching coat
Safety glasses w 80 mil gold coated p/c hood (long bib + 6") 23.8 2.3 1.4 3.5 0.9
Meta-aramid switching coat
* Chin protected by collar of switching coat

the transmitted energy received by each head sensor. polycarbonate windows. One faceshield and one hood
The first test utilized only safety glasses for eye protection, tested had the polycarbonate coated with a thin layer of
the next three tests added molded polycarbonate gold to reflect incident energy away from the faceshield
faceshields and hard hats, and the final three tests utilized and reduce transmitted energy.
safety glasses and protective hoods with molded

12
Results of the first test indicate that the safety glasses about 40% of the incident energy. Adding the
alone significantly reduced the energy reaching the eyes to polycarbonate faceshield further reduced the eye and
mouth energy to about 25% and 48%, respectively, of the FIGURE 16. Leather Glove Protective Characteristics
incident energy. Adding the gold layer to the faceshield
further reduced the eye and mouth energy to about 10% Estimating Incident Energy
and 20%, respectively, of the incident energy. Eye energy
was not significantly different when the full hood was Estimating incident energy produced by an electric arc in a
substituted for the faceshield, however, the energy typical industrial or utility plant is difficult due to the large
transmitted to other parts of the head was noticeably number of factors involved. Due to the testing completed
reduced by the hood. Of particular importance is the by the authors, a number of important factors have been
benefit the hood provides for the chin. As in the case with quantified and are summarized below:
the gold-coated faceshield, the gold-coated hood window
provided the best protection for the eyes and face. The 1) Arc power reaches a maximum as electrode spacing
hood with the long bib provided better protection than the increases.
hood with the short bib. Note, however, that due to the
high incident energy level, the energy transmitted in all 2) The maximum arc power measured in actual tests has
cases tested would still be sufficient to cause a second been in the range of 75-80% of the theoretical maximum
degree or more serious burn on some portion of the head. arc power calculated using Equation (1) in the Appendix.
Based upon these test results, the best protection is
provided by the hood with a long bib and 80 mil gold- 3) Incident energy reaches a maximum as electrode
coated polycarbonate window. spacing increases, but the maximum incident energy
typically occurs at an electrode spacing that is larger than
Leather Glove Performance the spacing that produces maximum arc power.

Three samples of a heavy duty leather work glove with 4) Incident energy is directly proportional to the time
measured fabric weight of 21.7 oz/yd2 were tested by duration of the arc.
subjecting them to incident energy from a single phase
electric arc using the test setup for ASTM Provisional Arc 5) Incident energy is significantly effected by the
Test Method PS58. Energy transmitted through the environment surrounding the arc. Enclosing a 3-phase
leather was measured using copper calorimeters for three arc in a box has the potential to increase the incident
different incident energy levels. The results are shown in energy approx. 3 times, depending upon the box
Figure 16 and indicate that these heavy duty leather work dimensions, as compared to an arc in an open
gloves provide a higher level of protection than a Class 2 configuration.
FR clothing system (See Table II). Figure 16 indicates
that for incident energy levels up to 12 cal/cm2, the 6) The variation of incident energy with distance from a
transmitted energy will be 0.8 cal/cm2 or less, an energy single phase arc has been measured to be inversely
level at which no second degree burn would be expected proportional to the distance from the arc raised to the 2.2
to occur. Less than 10% of the incident energy was power in the range of greatest interest (1-5 feet). At
transmitted through the leather in all cases tested distances greater than 5 feet, measured incident energy
(estimated HAF>90%). Note that, due to the small from electric arcs on typical 600 volt industrial power
number of samples, additional testing is required to systems (with adequate protection) is frequently
validate this result. insufficient to generate a second degree burn of human
skin.

Attenuation of Incident Energy By 7) The radiation transfer function, which can be measured,
Leather Gloves - Weight 21.7 oz./yd2 is the percentage of total arc energy per unit of area that is
actually received (incident energy) at a certain distance
2.50 from the arc. The radiation transfer function varies with
Transmitted Energy,

2.00 the arc current, the electrode configuration, and the


environment surrounding the arc. The difficulty remains,
cal/cm 2

1.50 however, that a large number of tests are required to


define radiation transfer functions for the many different
1.00
arc scenarios that exist in industrial plants.
0.50

0.00
Conclusions
0.00 5.00 10.00 15.00 20.00 25.00
Even though significant progress has been made in
Incident Energy, cal/cm2 understanding and quantifying the hazards to personnel
from electric arcs, additional testing is required to better
estimate the incident energy produced by electric arcs on

13
the many different types of electric power distribution a three phase arc in a specific cubic box increased the
systems. Additional arc testing has indicated that placing incident energy by a factor of 3 compared to the same arc
exposure in open air. Peak noise levels during the 3- equal since the same current flows through the arc and the
phase electric arc tests were found to be at levels power supply system.
sufficient to cause traumatic ear damage. Leather work
gloves were found to provide protection for hands The bolted fault kVA for a balanced 3-phase power system
exceeding that of a Class 2 FR clothing system, but less is equal to √3 times the product of the open circuit phase-
than that of a Class 3 FR clothing system. Of all the head to-phase voltage and the phase current during a bolted
protective systems evaluated, hoods with 80 mil gold- fault. The maximum 3-phase arc power is then equal to:
coated polycarbonate windows were found to be the most
protective. PARCMAX3PH (KW) = 0.5 x √3 x VP-P x I3PH (2)

Acknowledgement As noted in [3], the maximum power will not occur in an


arc unless the arc electrode spacing produces an arc
The authors wish to acknowledge the invaluable voltage that essentially equal to the system voltage drop
assistance provided by the staff of the Ontario Hydro during the fault. For 600 volt equipment, it is common to
Technology’s High Current Laboratory. have conductor/bus spacings in this maximum power
range. For higher voltage equipment, however, the
References conductor/bus spacings that produce maximum arc power
are typically larger than normally provided in equipment
[1] ASTM PS57, “Standard Test Method for Determining design.
the Ignitability of Clothing by the Electric Arc Exposure
Method Using a Mannequin”, April 1997 In the event that the fault is phase-to-phase only, there is
only one arc instead of multiple arcs, and the maximum
[2] ASTM PS58, “Standard Test Method for Determining arc power is reduced. The maximum available arc power
the Arc Thermal Performance (Value) of Textile Materials becomes the product of the open circuit phase-to-phase
for Clothing by the Electric Arc Exposure Method Using voltage and the bolted phase-to-phase fault current:
Instrumented Sensor Panels”, April 1997
PARCMAXP-P (KW) = 0.5 x VP-P x IP-P (3)
[3] Dr. T. Neal, A. H. Bingham and R. L. Doughty,
“Protective Clothing Guidelines For Electric Arc Exposure,” From symmetrical components we know that the bolted
IEEE Petroleum and Chemical Industry Conference fault current in a phase-to-phase fault is √3/2 or 86.6% of
Record, September 1996, pp. 281-298. the 3-phase bolted fault current for any given 3-phase
balanced power system. Substituting the value of (√3/2 x
[4] Ralph Lee, “ The Other Electrical Hazard: Electrical Arc I3PH ) for IP-P, the expression for maximum arc power in a
Blast Burns,” IEEE Trans. Industrial Applications, Vol. phase-to-phase fault becomes:
1A-18, No. 3, P. 246, May/June 1982.
PARCMAXP-P (KW) = 0.25 x √3 x VP-P x I3PH (4)
[5] OSHA Regulation CFR29 1910.95, Table G16, March
8, 1983. The result indicates that the maximum arc power for a
phase-to-phase fault in a balanced power system is 50%
Appendix - Maximum Arc Power of the maximum 3-phase fault power for the same system.

Ralph Lee calculated in [4] that during an electrical fault If the 3-phase power system neutral is solidly grounded
the maximum available arc power in a 3-phase arc, and the fault occurs between a single phase and ground,
(PARCMAX3PH) in kW, occurs when the arc voltage drop the maximum fault energy depends upon the magnitude of
equals the electrical supply system voltage drop, and is the zero sequence impedance (Z0) relative to the positive
equal to: and negative sequence impedance (Z1 & Z2). If all three
sequence impedances are equal, the magnitude of the
PARCMAX3PH(kW) = 0.5 x Bolted Fault kVA (1) single-phase ground fault current is equal to the 3-phase
fault current. For this case, the maximum arc power
becomes 1/3 of the calculated 3-phase maximum arc
Lee stated that the maximum arc power occurs when the power or:
arc voltage is 70.7% of the supply voltage and the arc
current is 70.7% of the bolted fault level. Since the arc is PARCMAXP-G (KW) = 1/3 x 0.5 x √3 x VP-P x I3PH (5)
purely resistive and the system impedance is primarily
inductive, the arc voltage drop and the system voltage If the value of ZO is 50% of Z1 and Z2, the maximum arc
drop are equal, but 90 degrees out-of-phase. The power from a single line-to-ground fault is 20% higher than
magnitude of the arc and supply system impedances is calculated in Equation (5).

14
15

You might also like