

Arc Flash Study & Assessment

What is Arc Flash Study?

An arc flash study or risk assessment is engineering studies that identifies and analysis
the specific arc flash hazard for an electrical equipment within a facility. The study or
assessment of the arc flash hazard risk is an engineering study. This is with certain
procedures to determine the amount of incident energy at an electrical facility or
device. From the amount of incident energy, the arc flash hazard level will be
determined, personal protective equipment that must be used when working on this
device —Omazaki Consulant is a consultant that provides arc flash studies or risk
assessments consulting service. Contact us if you are looking for consultants who
provide arc flash study and analysis consulting services for your systems in Indonesia
and South East Asia by sending an email to [email protected] or by filling in the form in
contact. Our arc flash analysis study mostly using ETAP software.

Arc flash study provides actual calculated short circuit currents, tripping times and
incident energy (arc flash energy). Arc flash assessment also reviews coordination to
mitigate arc flash energy levels while focusing on eliminating nuisance tripping, both
during a ground fault and/or phase fault condition.

The objectives of the flash arc assessment are to:

Identify arc flash hazards

Estimate the likelihood of occurrence and potential severity of injury or damage
to health
Determine whether additional protective measures are required.

The arc flash study will calculate the short circuit current and the tripping time
(opening or breaking of the electrical safety). Arc flash assessment is also carried out by
reviewing coordination to reduce incident energy levels while focusing on eliminating
disturbances, both during ground faults and/or inter-phase fault conditions.

Currently the majority of studies and assessments of arc flash hazard risk refer to IEEE
1584 and NFPA 70E. According to the NFPA 70E standard, arc flash studies must be
carried out every 5 (five) years or whenever major modifications are made to the facility.

———————————————

Why Need to Conduct Arc Flash Study or Assessment?

The main reason why we need to do arc

flash studies or assessments is for the
safety of personnel. Short circuit and arc
flash fault are very dangerous and
potentially fatal phonemes for personnel.
Arc flash exposure often results in a variety
of serious injuries such as severe burns. In
addition, it can cause visual impairment, ruptured eardrums, damaged lungs,
psychological trauma and even death.
Arc flash hazard analysis is required to determine the arc flash risk to personnel and to
alert personnel or workers to what types of personal protective equipment they should
wear when working on live electrical equipment.

The second reason why it is necessary to conduct an arc study or assessment is that
there are obligations and government regulations.

———————————————

Scope of Study

In general, the scope of work in an arc flash study or assessment is as follows:

Short circuit current analysis (worst case short circuit current)

Evaluation and coordination analysis of electrical protective devices
Arc flash hazard analysis

———————————————

Practical Steps for the Arc Flash Study

Step 1: Identify all sites and equipment to be assessed

Arc flash studies or assessments are required only for locations where workers are
exposed to arc flash risk. Therefore, studies need not be carried out on every piece of
equipment in the power system. Panels and switchboards with a value less than 208
volts can be ignored when fed by a transformer with a capacity of less than 125kVA. This
is because the arc will not be sustainable at a lower voltage and the available fault
current is smaller. This comes from the IEEE 1584-2002 recommendations. All panels
with breakers and fuses should be included in the study if there is a significant
potential for arc flash injury. Incidents can occur when a fused disconnect is operated,
even with the door closed.

Step 2: Data Collection and Verification

The greatest single attempt at conducting an arc-flash study is in data collection. For
systems with the most recent single-line diagrams, data collection can take up 25-40
percent of the research effort.
Details of the electrical distribution system are required to accurately calculate the
hazard level. Here is a list of information that is usually required:

Data for short circuit analysis: voltage, size (MVA/kVA), impedance, X/R ratio, etc.
Data for protective device characteristics: device type, existing settings for relays,
breakers and trip units, amp rating, current vs time curve, and total clearing time.
Data for arc flash studies: type of equipment, type of enclosure (open air, box,
etc.), gap between conductors, type of grounding, number of phases and
approximate working distance for equipment.

The data collection approach could also include:

Utility data, list or log of tampering and protection settings

One Line Diagram showing major electrical equipment
When a one-line diagram does not show a complete distribution, an additional
list should be obtained from all three-phase power distribution panels. This is the
location that will be labeled (and counted). Single-phase loads and distributions
do not apply.
List of cables by size & length
Schedule of relay settings and circuit breakers.

Step 3: Updating One Line Diagram and System Modelling

After data collection and verification is

carried out, it is usually necessary to
update the single-line diagram It is to
makes sure that the drawings match
those installed in the field.

After the one-line diagram is confirmed to

be the latest diagram, then the electrical
installation system modeling is carried
out. System modeling is carried out in application software such as ETAP, EasyPower,
SKM, EDSA, and so on.

It should be noted that the study results will only be as good as the system model.
Every effort should be made to model actual equipment as found in the field.
Step 4: Defining Possible Operation Scenarios

Record all possible connections (system

operation mode) using diagrams and
tables. The status of the circuit breaker,
switch, or fuse may change during
abnormal operation. Parallel feeders can
greatly increase the fault current and
produce an arc hazard. The motor also
contributes to the disturbance and
increases the danger. Arc flash studies or assessments should cover normal operating
conditions as well as worst-case scenarios. In general, the higher the fault current
present, the greater the arc energy. Since arc energy is a function of arc duration and
current, it cannot automatically be assumed that the highest fault current will always
be the worst arc flash risk. From the various established operating scenarios, the arc
flash study must find the worst hazard conditions.

Operation Scenarios

For example, the following scenario could be created:

Maximum Utility – full contribution from all sources, including the motor
Minimum Utilities – the minimum contribution of utilities and all rotating
equipment out of service
Emergency – with an emergency generator supplying part of the system

A calculation needs to be done for all applicable scenarios, the evaluation must be
based on the worst case results. Which scenario produces the worst case outcome is
determined for each location separately.

For installations with a simple radial service from the utility, there is usually only one
mode of operation – normal. However, for larger installations, there may be several
modes of operation. Other scenarios that could be developed include:

Multiple source utilities that are enabled or removed.

Multiple generator sources are operated in parallel or isolated depending on
system configuration.
 Emergency operating conditions. This is possible only with a small backup
generator.
Maintenance conditions where the short circuit current is low and the travel time
is high.
Source operating in parallel for toast switchgear or MCC.
The operable tie breaker is open or closed.
Large motor or process part is not operating

What is important to realize is that each of these conditions can change the level of
short circuit current, which in turn changes the clearing time of the protective device.
These changes can have a significant impact on arc flash hazard and PPE
requirements for individual equipment.

Step 5: Short-Circuit Current Analysis

In this step, the short circuit fault current will be calculated. The bolted short-circuit
current for each apparatus will be calculated and compared with the equipment short-
circuit rating. The short circuit analysis aims to check whether the design capacity of
the switchgear and the electrical protection device is adequate to cut short circuit
current calculated or simulated.

The analysis is carried out at this stage:

Calculation of the maximum 3-phase fault current (bolted short-circuit current)

Calculation of short-circuit current for each branch and contributing load.

The above calculations are carried out for each of the operating scenarios defined in
Step 4. If there is insufficient design capacity of protective equipment, it should be
reported immediately, as it can create unsafe working conditions.

Bolted Short-Circuit Current Calculation

Bolted fault is a short circuit that occurs without any resistance or zero resistance.
While the bolted short-circuit current is the maximum short-circuit current that may
be generated at a specified location or system configuration. This current is often used
to select withstand and interrupt ratings as well as for setting protection relays.
The scenario for calculating the bolted short-circuit is carried out by considering the
following conditions:

Power sources where it is scenarioed that each source is OFF or ON serving the
load
Parallel operated or isolated generation generator depending on system
configuration
During emergency operating conditions
A maintenance condition where the short circuit current is low but the arc
duration may be long
Parallel feeder to switchgear or MCC
Bus-tie in a closed or open position
Large motors or non-operating process parts.

Step 6: Evaluation and Coordination of Electrical Protection Devices

Is performed to ensure selection and arrangement of protective devices limits the

effects of an over-current situation to the smallest area. We perform this study in
accordance with IEEE Std. 242-2001 (Buff Book)

Step 7: Arc Flash Analysis

Is based on available short circuit current, protective device clearing time and distance
from the arc. Calculations of incident energy levels and flash protection boundaries are
completed for all relevant equipment locations. The magnitude of arc hazards are
determined using the ‘Incident Energy Analysis Method’, per NFPA 70E-2015, IEEE Std.
1584 or NESC Tables.

Step 8: Reporting

Upon completion of the calculations, final report will be prepared as an Arc Flash
Hazard Analysis Report and full size one-line drawings. The report will be certified by a
Licensed Engineer (PE).

Arc flash consultant who provide arc flash consulting services will provide them above.

———————————————
 Contact Omazaki Consultant if you are looking for arc flash study and risk
assessment consultants who provide consulting service to analyze your
electrical system in Indonesia and South East Asia, both existing and planning systems.

———————————————

Related Articles

Arc Flash: Definition, Hazards and Risks

Arc Flash Causes Analysis
Arc Flash Calculation Methods
Arc Flash Boundary and Requirements of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Electric Shock Protection Study
Power System Study and Analysis
Short Circuit Study and Analysis

Reference

NFPA 70E – Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace

IEEE 1584 – IEEE Guide for Performing Arc-Flash Hazard Calculations
Book of Practical Solution Guide to Arc Flash Hazards by EasyPower

———————————————

← Previous Post Next Post →

Related Articles

IECeX Hazardous Area Classification (Part 2)

Hazardous Area Classification (Part 1)

Electrical Safety Compliance Audit

Industrial Electrical Energy Audit

Lightning Protection System Audit

Copyright © 2023 Omazaki Group