Presentation 13.

Testing & Commissioning of ARC Detection

Vishal Gupta, DEE, AMIE,PGDBA ( Schneider Electric, India)

Introduction
Arc flash faults inside switchgears are proved to be
Arc Flash Phenomenon
fatal and dangerous not only for personal but also > Arc fault is a short circuit through ionized
for equipments and production processes. Arc gas (normally air) between one live part
faults often leave the equipment damaged to such and ground or between live parts.
extent that it need complete replacement or major > Arc fault can be characterized as an
repair. Many times it is also hazardous for the electrical explosion, because of the
personal working around the switchgear/ speed, power, heat and pressure of the
equipments. The arc flash energy increase phenomenon.
exponentially with the time , so to reduce the
damage by ARC fault is to reduce the isolation
time. The light is the first thing to appear in case of
ARC fault so fastest way of detection of ARC fault
is to detect light and isolate the faulty section by
the fastest way. The ARC flash protection system
provide tripping time of 1 to 8 ms which reduce the
isolation time to 35 to 80 ms depending upon the
breaker operation time. To avoid nuisance tripping
many time over current is also added as additional
logic to ensure correct operation. Today with
advance ARC flash protection systems we can
achieve customized schemes for selected
operations depending upon the fault location. The
Arc protection schemes can not only reduce
damage to equipment & personal but also ensure
faster availability of the system to minimize the
production cycle losses.

Internal Arc protection

 Internal Arc 40 kA for 1 sec will only prevent
the arc to go in such a direction that it will
not harm the person operating the panel
from front side or rear (IAC AFLR LSC2B)
Causes of ARC Faults
however it does not: Human errors
o Prevent any damage to the panel  Service maintenance of switchgear
and apparatus inside  Bridging by tools in the switchgear
o Panel cannot be brought back into  Forgotten tools
service without complete
replacement .  Error when working on live parts / removing
enclosure parts
 If a internal ARC happens then there would
be need for a long downtime for the Poor connection
complete switchboard resulting in loss of  Loose connection
production and increase in maintenance  Vibration
cost.
 Insufficient mechanical dimensioning
 Active arc fault protection embedded in
IED’s provide the benefit of fast detection (  Reduced insulation / protection degree
during flash phase) using optical sensors Animals, dirt, grease, gas, fluid
and thus with the help of CB are able to  Results in an arc short-circuit between one
clear and extinguish the fault thus saving live part and ground or between live parts
the equipment from damage

© OMICRON – Asia-Pacific Protection & Testing Conference 2014

 Presentation 13.2

ARC Flash Impact

 Intense light, burning and blinding adiation
 High temperature up to 20.000 K
 Heated air  pressure and sound wave
 Vaporized copper (volume 67.000 times
solid copper) Pressure wave
 Toxic gases
 Shrapnel and molten metal
 Hazardous voltage
Hazard to personnel
 The flash can damage eyesight
 The arc blast can damage e.g. hearing and
lungs
 The shrapnel can cause injuries ARC Flash Impact - Pressure
 Toxic gases, e.g. copper oxides, can be  The pressure does not rise immediately
formed with the ARC
 Most arc-flash related injuries are arc burns
 The severity of arc-flash burns depends on ARC Flash Impact - Light
the working distance, the voltage, the
current and the arcing time  In the beginning, there is light
 The easiest way to limit the arc energy is  Tests confirm that light appears
often limiting the arcing time by high-speed  practically instantly when the arc starts.
protection  Detection of the light is the fastest way to
detect the ARC
 Optical Sensor is First one to sense

 Often very high indirect costs due to

interruption of processes
o Electricity distribution process
o Industrial processes (steel, paper, oil
refining etc.)
Other possible indirect costs, e.g. legal and
medical expenses

ARC Flash Characteristics

An arc is developed within a millisecond.
Released energy is proportional to ~ I² x t.

Damage to equipment
 Direct damage
 Often very high indirect costs due to
interruption of processes
o Electricity distribution process
o Industrial processes (steel, paper, oil
refining etc.)
 Other possible indirect costs, e.g. legal and
medical expenses

© OMICRON – Asia-Pacific Protection & Testing Conference 2014

 Presentation 13.3

ARC Flash protection system  Dedicated arc stages, trip <= 15 ms with
L>&I> and/or L>&Io> criteria
 Communicates with VAMP arc protection
Purpose of Arc flash protection systems is to
system (VAMP221 and VAMP 121) via
detect arcs which occur during short-circuits in
BIO interface
LV/MV equipments and to limit damage to
personnel & equipment thru reduction in time of  Economical arc protection
operation of Switchgear to isolate the faulty  Selective tripping possibilities
section. With following features :
> Selective ARC protection system
ARC Flash Protection – Sensors
> Indication of activation
Point sensor
> Developed in accordance with protection
Fixed in each protected compartment
relay standards
Simple installation
Exact fault spot location
Recommended for MV applications
Fiber optic sensor
Routed through protected areas
Cost effective solution recommended for
low voltage applications
Personal sensor
Utilized temporarily during live work
- Connected to clothes or next to work place

ARC Protection with IED & Arc system ARC flash Protection system
Testing & Commisioning

System Inspection

Before the actual testing begins, the station and

the system to be tested should be inspected. The
aim is to find out the relevant details of the system
to be able to choose a suitable testing procedure.
The inspection consists of different procedures. .
o Consulting the customer about the details
of the system as good communication
and mutual understanding is a
prerequisite for successful testing.
o Defining the boundaries of the safe and
hazardous working areas and checking
that they are properly marked.
o Inspecting the devices and wiring
visually.
o Checking the application; comparing the
actual system to the available system
 Integrated arc protection module in relays drawings and also checking that the
 Two sensor channels per relay system and application are logical.
o up to four sensors can be connected

© OMICRON – Asia-Pacific Protection & Testing Conference 2014

 Presentation 13.4

o Checking that the used settings correspond o Current injection device with ARC flash
to the system plans and further, checking Initiator like OMICRON CMC 356,
any anomalies in the settings, like a CMC 353, CMC 256plus and CMC 256-6
deviation from the planned value, with the o Powerful light source like the ARC 256x
customer. Arc Flash Initiator
o Based on the details of the system, defining o Screwdriver kit
the proper testing procedure.
o Test leads
o Checking device code and location map;
o Extension cord
comparing the device and location codes
with the available system drawings and o Multimeter
documenting the deviations in the test report o Relay tester
o Arc flash resistive clothing including helmet,
protective goggles and gloves
Testing & Commissioning
o For testing Arc Flash simulator initiates an Summary
arc by strong source like a xenon tube,
positioned close to the arc flash sensor
o A connection cable is to external socket of It is described that ARC faults are often result in
the testing kit set . Providing supply damage of equipments and personal hazardous.
voltage & Trigger Signal The Arc flash protection system with optical
sensors and logical schemes can safeguard not
o Protection system is then automatically only Human and equipment but can also ensure
tested thru software, controlling the trigger faster availability of the equipment.
signal & measures operation delay
o The Arc flash simulator Position shall be
secured very close to linear sensor by About the Author
adhesive rubber compound.

Vishal Gupta is currently

working with Schneider
Electric from last seven
years as Business
development manager for
Asia Region, have total 16
years of experience in
Electrical power systems.
He have worked in various
profiles including project
management, sales, marketing & business
development. His mail area of work have been
around substations including protection systems,
ARC flash protection , IEC 61850, high end
metering, Insulation monitoring devices , Energy
management systems etc.

Required equipment
o Special tools and protective clothing are
required during the testing.

© OMICRON – Asia-Pacific Protection & Testing Conference 2014

 Internal Arc protection

> Internal Arc 40 kA for 1 sec will only prevent the arc to go in such a direction
that it will not harm the person operating the panel from front side or rear (IAC
AFLR LSC2B) however it does not:
- Prevent any damage to the panel and apparatus inside
- Panel cannot be brought back into service without complete replacement .

> If a internal ARC happens then there would be need for a long downtime for
ARC Flash Testing & Commissioning the complete switchboard resulting in loss of production and increase in
maintenance cost.
OMICRON _ AP.PTC

> Active arc fault protection embedded in IED’s provide the benefit of fast
detection ( during flash phase) using optical sensors and thus with the help of
CB are able to clear and extinguish the fault thus saving the equipment from
damage
14th to 16th Oct. 2014
Vishal Gupta
Energy – VAMP

1 Confidential Property of Schneider Electric 2

ARC Flash – Explosion ARC Flash phenomenon

Presentation 13.5

Equipment ARC flash test

> Arc fault is a short circuit
without ARC protection
through ionized gas (normally
air) between one live part and
ground or between live parts.

> Arc fault can be characterized

as an electrical explosion,

© OMICRON – Asia-Pacific Protection & Testing Conference 2014

because of the speed, power,
heat and pressure of the
phenomenon.
Equipment ARC flash test
with ARC protection

3 Confidential Property of Schneider Electric 4

 Causes of ARC Faults ARC Flash Impact
> Human errors
> Service maintenance of switchgear Vaporized copper (volume
> Bridging by tools in the switchgear Intense light, burning 67.000 times solid copper)
> Forgotten tools and blinding adiation Pressure wave
> Error when working on live parts / removing enclosure parts
 Toxic gases

> Poor connection

> Loose connection
High temperature up
> Vibration
to 20.000 K Shrapnel and molten
> Insufficient mechanical dimensioning
> Reduced insulation / protection degree metal

Photo: J. Vogler
> Animals, dirt, grease, gas, fluid
> Results in an arc short-circuit between one live part and ground or between Heated air 
live parts Hazardous voltage
pressure and sound
wave
Confidential Property of Schneider Electric 5 Confidential Property of Schneider Electric 6

ARC Flash Impact

Presentation 13.6

ARC Flash Impact - Pressure

>Hazard to personnel
> The flash can damage eyesight
> The arc blast can damage e.g. hearing and lungs
> The shrapnel can cause injuries current
> Toxic gases, e.g. copper oxides, can be formed
> Most arc-flash related injuries are arc burns pressure

> The severity of arc-flash burns depends on the working distance, the voltage, the
current and the arcing time
> The easiest way to limit the arc energy is often limiting the arcing time by high-speed
protection current
pressure

© OMICRON – Asia-Pacific Protection & Testing Conference 2014

>Damage to equipment
> Direct damage Kay

> Often very high indirect costs due to interruption of

Peak pressure 8..15ms after arc initiation
processes
> Electricity distribution process
> Industrial processes (steel, paper, oil refining etc.)
Totally damaged switchgear in an The pressure does not rise immediately with the ARC
> Other possible indirect costs, e.g. legal and medical arc-flash fault
expenses
Confidential Property of Schneider Electric 7 Confidential Property of Schneider Electric 8
 ARC Flash Impact - Light ARC Flash – Damages
The arc power and the luminous signal (light intensity) have a very strong
correlation
Damage in the switchgear is often
extensive;
•Injuries
”In the beginning, there •Direct cost
is light.” - Cubicle parts
- Circuit-breaker
- CT & VT
- S/S building itself
•Non-direct cost
- Off-service time
- Re-building
Tests confirm that light
appears practically instantly
Melouki, B., Lieutier, M., Lefort, A., The correlation between luminous when the arc starts.
and electric arc characteristic. Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics
Volume 29, Number 11, 1996)

Detection of the light is the fastest way to detect the ARC

Confidential Property of Schneider Electric
Optical Sensor is First one to sense 9 10

ARC Flash – KEMA video

Presentation 13.7

ARC Flash - Characteristics

An arc is developed within a millisecond.

Released energy is proportional to ~ I² x t.

I²t, kA² s

Steel fire

© OMICRON – Asia-Pacific Protection & Testing Conference 2014

Copper fire

Cable fire
Total breaking time
with arc protection
7 + (35 .. 80)ms

0 100 200 400 ms

Source: Empirical data from switchgear manufacturers

Confidential Property of Schneider Electric 11 12
 ARC Flash – Minimising ARC Flash - Normal OC protection
The damage resulting from arcing depends on the arcing current Ipre Ifault Ipost
and time and other factors such as switchgear type, PPE, etc.
50/51,
50/51N
Extensive damage to
equipment and injury to
I²t, kA² s personnel
87

Personnel and equipment can 50/51,

be at major risk • Sampling 15-30 ms 50/51N
• Contact closure 5 ms
• Time delay setting 30 - 350 ms
Personnel and • Breaker operate time 50 - 80 ms
equipment may
sustain little or no
injury or damage Total fault clearing time typically:
- Outgoing 15+5+30+80 = 130 ms + AR
- Income 15+5+350+80 = 450 ms

Resistance Grounded Network 50/51, 50/51,

0 100 200 500 ms 50/51N 50/51N
- Ground relay operation time very slow

13 Confidential Property of Schneider Electric 14

Presentation 13.8

ARC Flash – Arc Protection Scheme

50/51,
50/51N master

Overcurrent setting
87

50/51,
• Light information 1ms 50/51N ARC Flash Protection Scheme
• O/C comparison 1ms
• Initiate trip 5 ms slave

© OMICRON – Asia-Pacific Protection & Testing Conference 2014

• Breaker operate time 50 - 80 ms

Total fault clearing time typically:

- Outgoing 1+1+5+80 = 87ms
- Income 1+1+5+80 = 87ms

Resistance Grounded Network 50/51, 50/51,

50/51N 50/51N
- Fault clearence in 87 ms
Confidential Property of Schneider Electric 15 16
 ARC Flash protection system ARC Protection with IED & Arc system
Purpose of Arc flash protection systems is to detect arcs which occur during short-
circuits in LV/MV equipments and to limit damage to personnel & equipment thru
reduction in time of operation of Switchgear to isolate the faulty section. With >Integrated arc protection module in
following features : relays
> Selective ARC protection system
>Two sensor channels per relay
> Indication of activation
> up to four sensors can be
> Developed in accordance with protection relay standards
connected

>Dedicated arc stages, trip <= 15 ms

with L>&I> and/or L>&Io> criteria

>Communicates with VAMP arc

protection system (VAMP221 and
VAMP 121) via BIO interface

>Economical arc protection

>Selective tripping possibilities

17 18

ARC Protection with IED & Arc system ARC Protection with IED & Arc system
Presentation 13.9

Normal situation:
Normal situation: The main transformer feeds
The Main transformer feeds the busbar. A fault in the CB
the busbar. A fault in the cable compartment.
compartment.
I> &
Arc sensor in CB
An arc
The
Lightmain
sensor
and
fault
current:
transformer
transfers
in the the
feeds
light Light
An
The arc
main
fault
and
fault
current
current:
transformer
in cannot feeds
be
compartment picks the arc
information
the
TRIP!
cable
fault.
compartment
to the relay within TRIP!
measured
the CB
fault.
compartment
in the outgoing
and transfers light info to the
1ms. feeder. Therefore, the light
relay within 1 ms
information is transferred to
the incomer.

© OMICRON – Asia-Pacific Protection & Testing Conference 2014

I>

&
Only the faulted outgoing
feeder tripped. Busbar and The incomer CB tripped,
other feeders still in service. because the fault in the CB
compartment.
Confidential Property of Schneider Electric 19 Confidential Property of Schneider Electric 20
20
19
 ARC Protection with IED & Arc system Three busbar system
Full Selectivity with ZONES & several Tripping outputs

-Arc protection scheme of three busbar system.

-System is devided in to zones to achieve selectivity. Faulty part of network can be
isolated from the healthy part during arc fault.
Confidential Property of Schneider Electric 21 Confidential Property of Schneider Electric 22

Simplified SLD-Three bus bar system ARC flash detection system Example
Presentation 13.10

321 - Master 321 – Slave 321 - Master 321 – Slave

I> I>
I>

10L – Zone 3 10L – Zone 3 10L – Zone 3 10L – Zone 3

10L – Zone 1 10L – Zone 2 10L – Zone 1 10L – Zone 2

© OMICRON – Asia-Pacific Protection & Testing Conference 2014

TRIP!
L>

-12L
-Breaker
-Fault
-Point
-321 has current
opens
occur
sensor
detects
indication
and faulty
detects
the faultthetogetger
feeder
light
current
with
is
and
and light
isolated
send
sends information
the
the
and trip signal
Information
Information is given
forward
forward
12L - Feeder 12L - Feeder 12L - Feeder 12L - Feeder

+
Confidential Property of Schneider Electric 23 Confidential Property of Schneider Electric 24
 ARC Flash Protection System - Sensors ARC Flash Protection System - Sensors
Personal Protector –
Optical sensor selection
For Workforce safety
1) Point sensor
- Fixed in each protected
compartment
- Simple installation
Master Master
- Exact fault spot location
Point Sensor – For HV/LV Chambers - Recommended for MV applications

8000 LUX Sensitivity Slave Slave Slave

2) Fiber optic sensor
- Routed through protected areas
- Cost effective solution
- recommended for low voltage
applications

3) Personal sensor
Optical Sensor – For Bus Bar ,
- Utilized temporarily during live work
cable alley etc. - Connected to clothes or next to work place
(8000 LUX Sensitivity )
Confidential Property of Schneider Electric 25 Confidential Property of Schneider Electric 26

System Inspection
Presentation 13.11

> Before the actual testing begins, the station and the system to be tested
should be inspected. The aim is to find out the relevant details of the system
to be able to choose a suitable testing procedure. The inspection consists of
different procedures. .

> Consulting the customer about the details of the system as good communication and
mutual understanding is a prerequisite for successful testing.
> Defining the boundaries of the safe and hazardous working areas and checking that
they are properly marked.
ARC Flash Testing & Commisioning > Inspecting the devices and wiring visually.
> Checking the application; comparing the actual system to the available system

© OMICRON – Asia-Pacific Protection & Testing Conference 2014

drawings and also checking that the system and application are logical.
> Checking that the used settings correspond to the system plans and further,
checking any anomalies in the settings, like a deviation from the planned value, with
the customer.
> Based on the details of the system, defining the proper testing procedure.
> Checking device code and location map; comparing the device and location codes
with the available system drawings and documenting the deviations in the test report.

27 Confidential Property of Schneider Electric 28

 Testing & Commissioning Testing & Commissioning
> For testing Arc Flash
simulator initiates an arc by
Required equipment
strong source like a xenon > Special tools and protective clothing are required during the testing.
tube, positioned close to the > Current injection device with ARC flash Initiator like OMICRON CMC 356,
arc flash sensor CMC 353, CMC 256plus and CMC 256-6
> A connection cable is to > Powerful light source like the ARC 256x Arc Flash Initiator
external socket of the > Screwdriver kit
testing kit set . Providing
> Test leads
supply voltage & Trigger
Signal > Extension cord
> Protection system is then > Multimeter
automatically tested thru > Relay tester
software, controlling the > Arc flash resistive clothing including helmet, protective goggles and gloves
trigger signal & measures
operation delay
> The Arc flash simulator
Position shall be secured
very close to linear sensor
by adhesive rubber
Confidential Property of Schneider Electric compound . 29 Confidential Property of Schneider Electric 30

ARC Flash System - Sensor

Presentation 13.12

Point sensors viewing angle

The light sensor is able to “see” behind the sensor head

This provides a wide coverage area

Back up Slides

© OMICRON – Asia-Pacific Protection & Testing Conference 2014

VA 1 DA-x

31 Confidential Property of Schneider Electric 32

 ARC Flash System - Sensor ARC Flash System - Sensor
Typical Sensor Locations – Point Sensor Cable Compartment Sensor Installation
 Cable compartment is
 Sensors installed in covered by connecting one
every enclosed sensor (VA1DA-x) through
compartment the switchgear wall.

 Installed through hole or  A hole is drilled through the

by using L -and Z-type enclosure so that the
sensor’s most active part
can supervise the cable
compartment.

 Finally the sensor is

attached by screwing it to
the wall.

Confidential Property of Schneider Electric 33 Confidential Property of Schneider Electric 34

ARC Flash System - Sensor ARC Flash System – Sensor

Presentation 13.13

ARC Point Sensor Installation ARC Fibre Sensor Installation

 Installation of point-sensor  BB compartment can be
VA1DA in the breaker supervised by one fibre loop.
compartment by using the  sensitivity 8000 lux
installation plate VYX002
 Also suitable for MCCs

 The multi-core glass fibre is

fixed by cable ties, clips
and strain relief bushings

© OMICRON – Asia-Pacific Protection & Testing Conference 2014

Confidential Property of Schneider Electric 35 Confidential Property of Schneider Electric 36
 Arc-Flash Impact – Current & Energy
Arcing Current
 Medium Voltage
 Arcing current is very close to the bolted fault current
 Low Voltage :
 Arcing current is lower than bolted fault current.
 The current can fall to between 20 and 40 % of the bolted fault
current

Incident energy (IEEE 1584):

“The amount of energy impressed on a surface, a certain distance from the
source, generated during an electrical arc event. Incident energy is
measured in joules per centimeter squared (J/cm2).”
≈ Thermal impact of an arc-flash incident
Used in North American arc-flash protection studies
Useful when the effectiveness of different protection methods are compared
Confidential Property of Schneider Electric 37
Presentation 13.14

© OMICRON – Asia-Pacific Protection & Testing Conference 2014