Arc Flash Study
Arc Flash Study
Arc flash is not a new phenomenon. The concern is largely due to new guidelines and standards put forth by IEEE Std 1584-2018 (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers), NFPA (National Fire Protection Association), and NEC (National Electric Code). Arcing faults occur when the current passes through vapor between two conducting materials. These high-temperature arcs can cause fatal burns even when standing several feet from the arc. The electrical arcs also shower droplets of molten material in the surrounding area, causing a further hazard. The arcing fault current is smaller than a traditional bolted fault current because the vapor acts as an impedance between the conducting materials.
Our Process
1. Collecting Information
Gathering the complete information of the electric parts such as transformer, generators, cables diameters and length, circuit breaker size and settings, and motors are the primer step.
2. One-line diagram:
Modeling the system is of vital importance to develop the study.
3. Short circuit analysis:
Three phases and single-phase short circuit analysis are of equal importance, depending on the loads. Every device must be taken into consideration and properly analyzed.
4. Coordination between the protective devices:
Modeling each device, and establishing the settings points for coordination.
5. Arc Flash energy analysis
After modeling each device, an Arc Flash study has to be run to obtain arc flash boundaries, the incident of energy, and the PPE category.
6. Final specifications
Labels, and mitigation actions should be presented to the client to comply with the NEC.
