The New IEEE-1584

Guide for Performing Arc-Flash

Calculations
David Rewitzer
10/21/2019
 • Standard differences
• Brief history
IEEE 1584 • Definitions

Agenda • Significant differences

• General guide line
• Where arc flash and electrical safety is
heading
The
Standards
What’s the
IEEE 1584 2018
difference?
Guide for Performing Arc Flash NFPA 70E 2018
Hazard Calculations
Governs Employee
Workplace Safety
 • D2. Lee Calculation Method (1981)
◦ Arc as a point
• D.3 Doughy Neal Paper (2000)
IEEE 1584- ◦ D.3.2 Arc In open Air
2018 ◦ D.3.3 Arc in a cubic box
• D.4 1584-2002 Calculation Method (2002)
Evolution of
Incident Energy
prescribed in
Annex D of NFPA-
70E

• 75k plus help from the Navy

Source: NFPA-70E-2018
 Voltage ~ Number of tests
208V (3ph) 240V (1ph) 195
480V 400
IEEE 1584-
600V 340
2018
2700V 320
Evolution of 4160V 180
Incident Energy 14.3kV 270

~3.5million donated for these tests

Source: IEEE-1584-2018
 IEEE 1584- • New arcing fault (Iarc) equations
2018
Highlights • New incident energy (IE) equations
• Electrode Configuration-Very Significant!
Key Changes
• Enclosure size factor (CF)
• New guidance for equipment =<240V

Source: IEEE-1584-2018
 • Arc: Plasma cloud formed in a gap between two electrodes with sufficient
potential difference

IEEE 1584- • Arc flash: An electric arc event with thermal energy dissipated as
radiant, convective, and conductive heat.
2018 • Fault current: A current that flows from one conductor to ground or to
Highlights another conductor due to an abnormal connection between two
conductors.

Definitions • Bolted fault: A short-circuit condition that assumes zero impedance

exists at the point of the fault.

• Arcing fault current (Arc current): A fault current flowing through

an electric arc plasma. General rule of thumb AF=50% of BF @480V

• Incident Energy (IE in cal/cm2): the amount of thermal energy

impress on a surface, a certain distance from the source, generated during
an electric arc event.
Source: IEEE-1584-2018
 Incident Energy (IE)
based at defined distance

IEEE 1584-
2018
Highlights
Distance for 2nd degree burn
Based on PNL
Definitions Voltage at Equipment
Glove Class based on Voltage
Shock Hazard
Voltage Based Distances
Equipment of interest

* I.E. = Incident Energy

Article 100-Definitions

1.2 cal/cm2 = second degree burn

 • Step1:Collect system and installation data

• Step2: Determine the system modes of operation

• Step3:Determine bolted fault currents

IEEE 1584- • Step4: Determine arcing fault currents
2002 • Step5: Find protective device characteristics and duration of arcs
The 9 step
• Step6: Document system voltages and classes of equipment
program
• Step7: Select working distances

• Step8:Determine Incident Energy(IE) for all equipment

• Step9: Determine Flash-protection boundary for all equipment

Source: IEEE-1584-2002
 1. Collect system and installation data

2. Determine the system modes of operation

3. Determine bolted fault currents

4. Determine typical gap and enclosure size based on system

IEEE 1584- voltages and classes of equipment

2018 5. Determine equipment electrode configuration (HCB, VOA, etc.)

The 10 step 6. Determine working distances

program 7. Calculate arcing current

8. Calculate arc duration (through OCPD)

9. Calculate Incident energy (IE)

10. Determine arc flash boundary for all equipment

Note: Black=new for study engineer, Red=new for software
Source: IEEE-1584-2018
IEEE 1584-2018 Highlights
Electrode configuration
 • VCB
◦ Vertical Conductors in a Box (IEEE 2002)
• VCBB
Electrode ◦ Vertical Conductors in a Box with an insulating
Configuration Barrier
• HCB
Now Includes Five ◦ Horizontal Conductors in a Box
Vertical and
Horizontal • VOA
Configurations ◦ Vertical Conductors in Open Air (IEEE 2002)
• HOA
◦ Horizontal Conductors in Open Air
Source: IEEE-1584-2018
 Electrode
Configuration
VCB Vertical
Conductors in a
Box (IEEE-2002)

Source: PCIC-2019 Tutorial 1&7

 Electrode
Configuration
VCBB Vertical
Conductors in a
Box with a Barrier

Source: PCIC-2019 Tutorial 1&7

 • For LV - IE up to 2x that of VCB
Key Findings • Arcing current (Iarc) reported to be higher than
VCB
VCBB
• 208V arcs sustained down to 4kA
◦ According to testing electrode shape and gap are
important at this level

Source: PCIC-2019 Tutorial 1&7 15

 Electrode
Configuration
HCB Horizontal
Conductors in a
Box

Source: PCIC-2019 Tutorial 1&7

 Electrode
Configuration
VOA Horizontal
Conductors in a
Open Air

Source: PCIC-2019 Tutorial 1&7

 Electrode
Configuration
HOA Horizontal
Conductors in a
Open Air

Source: PCIC-2019 Tutorial 1&7

 Arcing fault
vs
Bolted fault

LV System
100ms clearing
time
The maximum arcing fault spread is 25-40% higher

Source: PCIC-2019 Tutorial 1&7 19

 Incident Energy
vs
Bolted Fault

480V system
Clearing time-
100ms

Source: PCIC-2019 Tutorial 1&7 20

 Incident Energy
vs
Bolted Fault

Box vs Open Air

Source: PCIC-2019 Tutorial 1&7 21

 Arc Fault
vs
Bolted Fault

MV System

New Model considers the effect of arc impedance at

high fault current levels
Source: PCIC-2019 Tutorial 1&7 22
 Incident Energy
vs
Bolted Fault

4160-SWGR
Clearing time-
100ms

More linear than LV, but bigger spread

Source: PCIC-2019 Tutorial 1&7 23
 VCBB vs. VCB

IEEE-1584-2018

IEEE-1584-2002
 VCB vs. VCBB vs. HCB
IEEE-1584-2018

IEEE-1584-2002
So, what is going on here??
 • Electrode configuration makes a big difference
in IE

Takeaways • HCB has worst case IE

• VCB/VCBB-Which to Use? Depends on the
Configuration OCPD characteristics
Matters!! ◦ If not sure on equipment, run both and take more
conservative number
• HOA & VCB- IE is close at LV

27
 • Software makes study engineer choose
Takeaways • HCB – Highest Incident Energy
◦ Drawout Switchgear
Electrode ◦ Busduct stabs
configuration ◦ Tranformers
makes the biggest ◦ Termination compartments
difference

The above information is a list of examples only, only the qualified Study Engineer can decide on what selections to use.
 HCB

Examples
Electrode
configuration
makes the biggest 600V Drawout 600V Drawout 600V Drawout
Switchgear breaker
Switchgear Switchgear with
difference Iron Frame compartment

The above information is a list of examples only, only the qualified Study Engineer can decide on what selections to use.
Source: PCIC-2019 Tutorial 1&7
 HCB-Transformers

Examples
Electrode
configuration
makes the biggest 15kV / 480V Transformer
compartments
difference
480V Transformer
compartments
The above information is a list of examples only, only the qualified Study Engineer can decide on what selections to use.
Source: PCIC-2019 Tutorial 1&7
 VCB vs. VCBB

Takeaways
Electrode
configuration
makes the biggest
difference Low Voltage Power Low Voltage Low Voltage Fused
Distribution PNL Switchboard Disconnect

The above information is a list of examples only, only the qualified Study Engineer can decide on what selections to use.
Source: PCIC-2019 Tutorial 1&7
IEEE 1584-2018 Highlights
Enclosure Dimensions
 • Equations normalized for a “typical” box size
(20”x20”x20”)
Enclosure
• CF used when box is bigger than typical
Dimensions ◦ Usually found in submittals

Correction Factor • Record enclosure height and width to

for Larger determine the “equivalent” box size
Enclosures ◦ Between 20” and 26”
◦ Between 26” and 49”
▪ Greater than 49” use 49”

Source: IEEE-1584-2018 33
 Enclosure
Dimensions • Box considered “shallow” when
◦ Height and width both less than 20 inches
Shallow Option ◦ The depth is less than 8”
Added ◦ System voltage is less than 600V

Source: IEEE-1584-2018 34
Box Dimensions

Typical
Shallow
Typical
Typical
Typical
Typical

Typical
Shallow
Typical
Typical
Typical
Typical
 • Box configuration
◦ Modest difference
Takeaways ▪ Larger box by volume=less conservative by a little
▪ Shallow box=less conservative=smaller IE
Enclosure ▪ Default enclosure size usually sufficient

configuration
◦ Software packages use defaults
▪ When on the bubble between two PPE levels go
back and investigate box size

The above information is a list of examples only, only the qualified Study Engineer can decide on what selections to use.
36
IEEE 1584-2018 Highlights
Conductor Gap
Conductor Gap – Defined

• Gap is the distance

between conductors
• Greater the gap, greater
arc flash incident energy
• Usually not in submittals
◦ Dangerous to obtain
◦ Is it worth measuring?
Gaps
 IE vs BF
LV system
VCB

Source: PCIC-2019 Tutorial 1&7 40

 Conductor Gap – Typical

Source: IEEE-1584-2018 41
Takeaways • Gap
◦ Wider gap=more conservative (Higher IE)
For Gap ◦ Software packages use defaults
◦ Be reasonable in choosing gap

The above information is a list of examples only, only the qualified Study Engineer can decide on what selections to use.
IEEE 1584-2018
Other Key Changes
 “Equipment below 240 V need not be considered
125kVA unless it involves at least one 125kVA or larger low-
impedance transformer in its immediate power
Transformer supply.”
Exception
2002 vs. 2018 Replaced with “Sustainable arcs are possible but less
likely in three-phase systems operating at 240V
nominal or less with an available short circuit current
below 2000 Amps.”

Source: IEEE-1584-2018
& IEEE-1584-2002
125kVA • More equipment must be included in your
Transformer study
Exception ◦ Every device from your 125kVA transformers down
to your 30kVA transformers
What Does this ◦ Could dramatically impact the scope and cost of
2018 Change your facility arc flash hazard analyses
Mean to You ◦ Should be addressed during your next study update
or before
 • Basically says most people
can move away from an arc
flash in less than two
seconds, but could be slowed
2-second down by:
◦ Obstacles or barriers
Rule ◦ Being elevated in a bucket
◦ Being restrained by other
No Change safety equipment, etc.

• Your studies professional

must “use engineering
judgement when applying
any maximum arc duration
time for incident energy
exposure calculations”
Source: IEEE-1584-2018
In-Closing
 • New standard makes modeling more complex
IEEE 1584 ◦ Based on test data (not theoretical)
◦ More accurate
▪ Some arc flash values are higher, some lower
Study Complexity
• Strongly suggest using commercial software
for analysis

48
 • Stay in communication with your Qualified Arc Flash
Engineer/ Client on what is going on, be reasonable
in your assumptions.
◦ Vendors are not opening/maintaining equipment if AFIE
General high
Guide • One label per equipment, keep it simple
• Manufacturers – Spending $$ on lowering AFIE in
their equipment
• Design Engineers – Safety by design
◦ Must decide if critical load can be de-energized, if not, how
to maintain it?
 130.1- Electrically Safe Work Conditions.
Energized electrical conductors and circuit parts operating at
voltages equal to or greater than 50 volts shall be put into an
electrically safe work condition before an employee performs
work….

130.1(A)- Energized Work.

NFPA-70E
(1) 130.1(A)(1)- Additional Hazards or Increased Risk.
Energized work shall be permitted where the employer can
demonstrate that de-energizing introduces additional hazards or
increased risk.
• Interruption of life support
Shut down •
•
Deactivation of emergency alarm systems
Shutdown of hazardous location ventilation equipment

It’s the law!! (2) 130.1(A)(2)- Infeasibility

Energized work shall be permitted where the employer can
demonstrate that the task to be performed is infeasible in a
de-energized state due to equipment design or operation
limitations.
• Diagnostics and testing
• Integral part of a continuous process

Source: NFPA 70E-2018

Thank You
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