ARC FLASH

Five Main Topics

1. Introduction to arc flash
2. Arc flash injuries
3. Codes and standards
4. Prevention
5. Protective clothing and equipment
What is the Arc Flash
An Arcing fault is a flow of current through the
air between phase conductors or phase
conductor and neutral or the ground . An
arcing fault can release tremendous radiated
energy at the point of acing in a small fraction
of a second resulting in extremely high
temperature, a tremendous pressure blast and
shrapnel hurling at high velocity (700miles per
hour).
Typical applications (OSHA Standards)
Switchboards, panel boards, industrial control
panels, and motor control centers in other than
dwelling occupancies, that are likely to require
examination, adjustment, servicing, or
maintenance while energized, shall be field
marked to warn qualified persons of potential
electric arc flash hazards. The marking shall be
located so as to be clearly visible to qualified
persons before examination, adjustment,
servicing, or maintenance of the equipment.
Tasks with Potential for Arc Flash
Operating a switch or circuit breaker
Inserting or removing a circuit breaker
Opening an enclosure door
Removing a cover (bolted or hinged)
Testing for voltage
In each task:
Worker is interacting with energized equipment.
What Causes Arc Flash?
Dust, impurities, corrosion, condensation, animals
Spark discharge from:
Accidental touching
Dropping tools
Over-voltages across narrow gaps
Failure of insulating materials
Equipment failure
Human error (incompetence)
Effects of Current on the Body
Perception Threshold
0.001 Amps (1 mA)
Painful Shock
0.009 Amps (9 mA)
Cannot Let-Go Level
0.010 Amps (10 mA)
Ventricular Fibrillation
0.100 Amps (100 mA) 3 Seconds
0.200 Amps (200 mA) 1 Second
Heart Failure
0.5 Amps (500 mA)
Organ Burn and Cell Breakdown
1.5 Amps (1500 mA
Release of radiated energy
Electric arc Arc flash Arc blast
Arc Flash Events
ARC-FLASH
As much as 80% of all electrical injuries are burns
resulting from an arc-flash and ignition of flammable
clothing.
Arc temperature can reach 35,000F - this is four times
hotter than the surface of the sun
Fatal burns can occur at distances over 10 ft.
ARC EXPOSURE ENERGY BASICS
Exposure Energy is Expressed in cal/cm
2
1 cal/cm
2
Equals the Exposure on the tip of a finger by a
Cigarette Lighter in One Second
An Exposure Energy of Only One or Two cal/cm
2
Will Cause
a 2nd Degree Burn on Human Skin
Arc Flash Injuries
Electric shock
Severe burns
Blindness
Blast injuries
Shrapnel wounds
Lung blast injuries
Ruptured eardrums
Pressure wave injuries
1. Power amount of
energy at the arc
2. Distance of the
worker to the arc
3. Time duration of
the arc exposure
Severity Factors
One Type of Burn from Arc Flash
Surface Burns
Caused by exposure to the arc flash
Can cause more surface burns if the initial
arc flash ignites other material such as
clothing
1st degree to 3rd degree
It has and may cause death!!!!!!
Burns resulted from Arc flash accident
Blindness
Flash of light is so intense it can damage
vision.
Blast Lungs Injury (BLI)
Arc blast can cause inhalation injuries.
For example:
Inhaling high temperature
copper vapour.
More than 100 toxic
substances can be found
in the fumes.
BLI + Burns = Greater chance of death
The impact
Electric arcs produce the highest temperatures on
earth up to 35,000 degrees Fahrenheit (4 x temp
of the sun)!
The intense heat from arc causes the sudden
expansion of air that results in a blast with very
strong air pressure (Lightning is a natural arc).
All known materials are vaporized at this
temperature. (Copper expands 67,000 times,
Water 1670 times).
The Impact of Arc Flash
Arcs in enclosures, such as a Motor Control Centers
(MCCs) or switchgear, magnify blast and energy
transmitted as the blast is forced to the open side of
the enclosure.
Arcs spray droplets of molten metal at high-speed
pressure. Blast shrapnel can penetrate the body.
Blast pressure waves have thrown workers across
rooms and knocked them off ladders. Pressure on the
chest can be higher than 2000 lbs/ sq. ft.
Proper Safety Procedures Saves Our
People!
Energized electrical work permit (PTW)
Barriers
Training and skills
Job briefings
PPE
Tools
CONTROLLING ARC FLASH HAZARDS
At the Worker
Prevention Summary
1. Include Electrical Safety in your Occupational Health and Safety
Management Program.
2. Use work permit and relevant certificate.
3. If work must be done on or near energized electrical equipment,
identify the potential for arc flash. Carry out Task Risk Assessment
to determine: flash protection boundary, Incident Energy Exposure
and Type of arc rating PPE and rubber matt.
4. Conduct regular equipment maintenance and label equipment
that poses a flash hazard.
5. Confirm single-line diagrams for accuracy and available fault
current.
6. Use flash-resistant equipment and ensure maintenance
7. Provide training and job briefings.
8. Conduct periodic safety audits.
9. Assign competent workers only and ensure supervision
10. Barriers are intended to prevent contact with equipment or
live parts or to prevent unauthorized access to a work area.
Placing a barrier such as a closed door or a portable shield
would also limit the arc flash exposure.Increase the working
distance
11.Use the right PPE: arc flash jacket kit, Electrical rubber gloves,
rubber mat, (Synthetic clothing that melts such as Nylon,
Polyester shall not be worn)
12. In case of electrical accident: turn Off the Power and call
ADCO control room
ADCO PTW Requirements
Apply for permit to work before you start the
job.
Acquire the suitable certificate i.e. Isolation
certificate, high voltage certificate.
Implement PTW requirements on site.
OSHA Standards
Safety -Related Work Practices
1910.335 Safe guards for personnel protection
(a) (2) (B) (ii) Protective shields, protective
barriers, or insulating materials shall be used to
protect each employee from shock, burns, or
other electrically related injuries while that
employee is working near exposed energized
parts which might be accidentally contacted or
where dangerous electric heating or arcing might
occur.
Qualified electrical workers shall not be asked to work
on equipment that is hot or live except for two
demonstrable reasons :1. De-energizing introduces
additional or increased hazards e.g.* cutting
ventilation to a hazardous location* emergency alarm
systemsor2. Infeasible due to equipment design or
operational limitations e.g.* voltage testing for
diagnostics * start up testing
NFPA 70E: Safety in Workplace OSHA 1910.333 (a) (1)
& NFPA 70E 130.1
Increase the working distance.
Reduce the energy exposure.
Use hinged doors instead of bolted doors
to eliminate the risk of bolts falling into the
panel.
Work de-energized.
CONTROLLING ARC FLASH HAZARDS
Along the Path
Steps to Take If An Electrical Accident
Happens
Remove the Immediate Hazard: turn Off the
Power
Remember that Speed is Essential
Extinguish flames
Call for Help (control room)
Begin CPR & First Aid
First Aid
Cool the burn with water
Do not attempt to remove burned clothing
Elevate burned limbs
Handle the victim with care
Treat for shock
Maintain body temperature
Do not give anything by mouth
C P R
Personnel that work near or on energized
parts should be trained in CPR.
Note: The use of Automatic Electronic
Defibrillator (AED) is strongly recommended.
Use LOTO System
LOTO
Types of LOTO system
Use appropriate warning signs
Use the right PPE
Industry Standards and Regulations
Manual 10 part 27
OSHA 29 CFR 1910 Subpart S
OSHA Enforces NEC2002 110.16 & NFPA70E
NFPA 70E-2000
Requirements for shock and arc flash boundaries
Requirements for personal protective equipment
NEC 110.16-2002
What is the best way to prevent the
hazards of electricity?
STOP
Stop : Before Action
Think : Risks/Hazards
Options : LOTO
Protection: Proper PPE
Avoiding energized circuits is the Safest Way!
ARC FLASH HAZARDS
It is ALWAYS
preferable to work on
de-energized equipment.
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