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Consulting Engineer - Arc Flash Mitigation

This document summarizes questions and answers from a webinar on arc flash mitigation. Experts discuss topics like: whether UPS systems require arc flash labeling; if zone-selective interlock can be retrofitted; how light detection relays isolate fault currents; how zone-selective interlock reduces circuit breaker trip times while maintaining coordination; and more. The experts provide clarification and additional context in response to questions from webinar participants.

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42 views

Consulting Engineer - Arc Flash Mitigation

This document summarizes questions and answers from a webinar on arc flash mitigation. Experts discuss topics like: whether UPS systems require arc flash labeling; if zone-selective interlock can be retrofitted; how light detection relays isolate fault currents; how zone-selective interlock reduces circuit breaker trip times while maintaining coordination; and more. The experts provide clarification and additional context in response to questions from webinar participants.

Uploaded by

techtric
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
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Your questions answered: Arc flash mitigation

Reducing arc flash to electrical personnel is an evolutionary process. Learn more in this Q&A
BY ZIA SALAMI AND TRACY WAGONER SEPTEMBER 22, 2020

Courtesy: CFE Media and Technology

During the Sept. 17, 2020, webcast on “Arc flash mitigation,” several questions were left unanswered. The subject matter experts providing additional
information are:

Zia Salami, PhD, Management Specialist – SME: Electrical Power System, CDM Smith, Charlotte, N.C.
Tracy Wagoner, Senior Electrical Systems Manager, Associate, Henderson Building Solutions, Lenexa, Kansas.

Question: Is a direct current arc flash calculation required for uninterruptible power supply systems to determine the greatest fault current between the
alternating current and DC connections? Are UPSs required to be labelled?

Zia Salami: In general, it is important to have label for all equipment including UPS. If it is a large UPS, and if possible, perform study with both sources,
AC and DC, and apply the worst-case label on the UPS.

Question: Can zone-selective interlock be put into existing equipment?

Tracy Wagoner: Depending on the existing switchgear, it is technically possible to retro-fill the gear with a new, engineered ZSI system. Because new
internals are installed in existing gear in place, there can be significant additional cost, but savings in downtime may offset. Finances involved will vary by
each situation.

Zia Salami: Yes. Of course, it is not part of IEEE 1584-2018 standard; however, this standard is provided some guidance’s, refer to IEEE 1584-2018,
Section 4.11.

Question: How do you use light detection relay for isolation of source of current?

Zia Salami: I suggest referring to the manufacturer manual and website for detail.

Question: Can you explain a little more how zone-selective interlock reduces overcurrent protective device trip times while maintaining proper
coordination?

Zia Salami: Within ZSI scheme, we can have INST setting of incoming CB enabled since the restrain (control) signal from the load CB prevent (block) it
from tripping on INST, if there is a fault on the load side. This scheme can be implemented with more than one CB or based on a defined zone and would
require communication between each CB/trip units. It is important to consider the communication and CB operating time when establishing time delay (or
fault clearing time) between these devices.

Question: Clarification is needed on the arc-resistant switchgear topic. You mentioned it reduces the amount of energy, but does not reduce electrical
energy in the circuit. Could you please clarify that?

Zia Salami: Clarification, I meant, arc-resistant switchgear reduces the amount of energy exposed to the person that is nearby and typically should be
provided by manufacturer. However, arc-resistant switchgear does not reduce the electrical energy stored in the switchgear/circuit.

Question: We had an arc fault in a 480-volt switchboard. The main had a ground fault relay, but did not trip. The breaker tested fine, and the client is
wondering why the main breaker did not trip.

Tracy Wagoner: Some arc faults have a high impedance path and the current flow is not high enough to trip the circuit breaker on overcurrent. Conversely,
it is also possible for an event to have a higher current that the overcurrent protection device is capable of clearing if the OCPD selected is less that the
available energy.
Question: Is selective coordination required per NEC for 480-volt, 1,000-amp service?

Tracy Wagoner: It is required for overcurrent protection devices for the life safety, critical and essential electrical branches for health care occupancies.

Question: How does an engineer handle single-phase systems as it relates to arc flash?

Zia Salami: Refer to IEEE 1584-2018, Section 4.11 related to single phase system. It states “… the arcing current can then be used to find the protective
device opening time and incident energy by using the three-phase equations provided in this guide. The incident energy result is expected to be
conservative …”

Also, I recommend using electrical software that provides modeling and analysis for single phase system including arc-flash study.

Question: Does the team have any experience with arc quenching technology? Can you please provide some background on how it works and its
effectiveness?

Tracy Wagoner: We do not, but we are working on investigating those systems

Question: Is it possible to have a ZSI system for circuit breakers located in more than one enclosure and provided by different manufacturers?

Tracy Wagoner: While technically it would be possible, if the communications could be worked out. It will require engineering from the manufactures of
each different gear type and they would have to stand by the system once built.

Question: Can a bus or transformer differential relay lower the arc flash energy?

Zia Salami: In general differential relay can be used to lower arc flash energy if the bus or transformer are within the zone of protection. Also, total fault
clearing time should be specified, this is typically the total of differential relay and CB operating times.

Courtesy: CFE Media and Technology

Question: What is the proper way to inspect contacts on an energized automatic transfer switch? Can I inspect normal contacts while on emergency power
and inspect at emergency contacts while on normal power?

Tracy Wagoner: With proper lockout and safeties and PPE, it is possible on some types of transfer switches. Insurance and liability considerations have to
be taken into account for each facility in question and cannot be answered without specific details.

Question: Do disconnect switches and transformers require arc flash label? If yes, what is the minimum disconnect ampere rating and transformer kilovolt
ampere requiring labels?

Tracy Wagoner: Standards state that any electrical equipment operating at 50 volts or more and is likely to require examination, adjustment, servicing or
maintenance while energized will require an arc flash label so yes, they do. Kilovolt-ampere rating of the transformer is not specified and exemptions for
less than 125 kVa have been removed from newer codes.

Question: Would you consider relay coordination to be the most important factor in mitigating arc flash, or another component?

Zia Salami: In my opinion, changing protective device setting (or type if possible), as long as it maintains system coordination (i.e., for system reliability)
would be my top choices for mitigation strategies.

Question: In the study case for the arc flash calculations, how many levels of contributions should we consider?

Zia Salami: I would not go more than two, or maximum three, levels.

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