The Basics of Arc Flash Protection

2008
The Basics Arc Flash Protection
“An arcing fault can be

defined as the flow of
current through a path where
Rob Vajko
it is not intended to flow”
12/15/2008

www.nationalsafetyinc.com

What is an Arc‐Flash?
An arc flash starts with an arcing fault. An arcing fault can be defined as the flow of current
through a path where it is not intended to flow. The current creates an electric arc plasma and
releases dangerous amounts of energy
An electric arc is the passage of substantial electrical current through ionized air and gases.
Bad things can happen.
An electric arc fault is a bad thing!
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© National Safety, Inc.

The above photo is a still shot of a video clip of a arc flash that you can view online at
http://205.243.100.155/frames/mpg/345kV_SWITCH.MPG
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The above photo is a still shot of a video clip of a arc flash that you can view online at:
http://205.243.100.155/frames/mpg/500kV_Switch.mpg
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Clothed areas can be more severely burned than exposed skin!
The Costs of Burn Injury
Personal
• Burns are one of the most painful injuries a human can experience
• Burn victims often seek psychological care
• Rehabilitation is a slow and difficult process
Financial
• Medical costs quickly accumulate due to years of treatment
• Rehabilitation costs can exceed 1 million US$ per person

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Arc Blast Hazards
z Up to 80% of all electrical injuries are burns resulting from an arc flash and ignition of FLAMABLE
clothing
z Approximately 1 person dies daily in the U.S. from arc blasts, and 6‐7 people are admitted to
hospitals for associated injuries
z Pressure waves associated with Arc Blasts can:
z Vaporize copper, expanding it 67,000 times its initial volume
z Create a sonic boom condition
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z There is a known case where a utility cabinet door was blown off the hinges and embedded in a
concrete wall 1.5 inches 10 feet away from the utility cabinet.

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HOW TO PREVENT ARC FLASH
Regulations and Standards
Several industry standards concern the prevention of arc flash incidents:
z OSHA 29 ‐ Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 1910 Subpart S.
z NFPA 70‐2002 ‐ National Electrical Code.
z NFPA 70E‐2000 ‐ Standard for Electrical Safety Requirements for Employee Workplaces.
z IEEE Standard 1584‐2002 ‐ Guide for Performing Arc Flash Hazard Calculations.

Regulations for the State of Washington (Check with your own state agencies)
z WAC 295‐155 – Washington State Electrical Standards for Construction
z WAC 296‐44 – Washington State Electrical Construction Code
z WAC 296‐45 – Washington State Electrical Work Safety Rules
WISHA 6 Point Plan
Compliance with the latest OSHA standards involves adherence to a six‐point plan:
z A facility must provide, and be able to demonstrate a safety program with defined
responsibilities.
z Calculations for the degree of arc flash hazard.
z Correct personal protective equipment (PPE) for workers.
z Training for workers on the hazards of arc flash.
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z Appropriate tools for safe working.
z Warning labels on equipment.
z Companies will be cited and fined for not complying with these standards.
NFPA 70E promotes establishing electrically safe work conditions by...
1. Identifying all power sources
2. Interrupting the load and disconnecting power
3. Visually verifying that a disconnect has opened the circuit
4. Locking out and tagging the circuit
5. Testing for voltage
6. Grounding all power conductors
How can we prevent arc flash when we have to work on or near energized parts?
Special situations:
z Interruption of life support equipment
z Deactivation of emergency alarm systems
z Shutdown of hazardous location ventilation equipment
z Removal of illumination for an area
A. Use written permit system for planning & conducting work in these situations
B. Use the appropriate tools for voltage and current levels when performing all electrical work
NFPA 70E ‐ Key PPE Steps
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1. Determine Arc Flash Protection Boundary
2. Conduct Arc Flash Hazard Analysis
3. Select Required “FR Clothing” & “PPE” Based on Specific Hazard Present Within Flash Protection
Boundary

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Personal Protective Equipment
Select Required “FR Clothing” & “PPE” Based on Specific Hazard Present Within Flash Protection
Boundary

Wear the appropriate protection when working on or around
energized equipment!
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What Types Of Arc Protective Flame Resistant Garments Are Available?
Basic FR Clothing Options
z Shirts
• Knit and Woven
• Short and Long Sleeve
z Pants
• Uniform
• Dress
• Jeans
z Coveralls
Cold and Inclement Weather FR Clothing Options
• Rain wear
• Lined and Unlined Jackets
• Fleece Sweatshirts and Sweatpants
• Insulated Overalls and Coveralls
• Insulated Parkas
• Long Underwear and Socks
• Hoods/Balaclavas
• Vests

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FR Garment Examples

Category 1 Category 2 Category 2

Category 3 and 4

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FR Clothing Selection Criteria
z Protection
z Wearer Comfort
z Durability
• Flame Resistance Durability
• Garment Wear Life
z Cost Effectiveness
• Initial Cost
• Life Cycle Cost
z Ease of Care / Appearance
In Summary
• Burn Injuries From Electric Arc Exposures Can Be Fatal or Can Severely Injure the Worker
• Based on Known Electrical Parameters and Work Practices, Arc Exposure Intensity Can Be
Estimated for the Hazard, hence job tasks listed and recommendations on PPE to wear.
• Based On Estimated Arc Exposure Intensity, Appropriate Protective Clothing Selections Can Be
Made To Minimize Worker Burn Injury Levels In The Event Of An Electric Arc Accident
• In Many Situations, Layering of FR Clothing Is Required to Match Electric Arc Hazard Energy
Levels
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Rain wear with Non‐Meltable Substrate Rain wear with Meltable Substrate
(ASTM F‐1891)

Photo courtesy of Hugh Hoagland www.arcwear.com

REMEMBER
• The Outermost Garment Must Be Flame and Arc Resistant
• Meltable Substrates Can Increase Worker Injury
Other Considerations
• Face Shields Rated for Arc Hazard
• Hearing Protection Rated for Arc Hazard
• Hand and Foot Protection Rated for Arc Hazard
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Exposure Energy Basics
• Exposure Energy is Expressed in cal/cm2
• Measured Using Thermal Sensors
• 1 cal/cm2 » the Exposure on the Tip of a Finger by a Cigarette Lighter in 1 Second

An Exposure Energy of 1 to 2 cal/cm2 Will Cause a 2nd Degree Burn on Human Skin
Definitions
z ARC RATING ‐ The maximum incident energy resistance demonstrated by a material PRIOR TO
BREAKOPEN OR AT THE ONSET OF A SECOND DEGREE BURN. A 1st Degree Burn or less is the
goal during an electrical arc flash.
z HRC ‐ Hazard Risk Category. Current categories that apply to workers are Level 0‐4. Remember
4, 8, 25, 40!
z FLAT PANEL TESTING ‐ This is how our fabrics are tested and how the calorie rating is found
(breakthrough threshold).
z CALORIE/CM² ‐ This is a measurement of ENERGY. A Cigarette lighter placed under your finger
for 1 second equals roughly a 1 calorie burn.
z What is a Calorie?
• A Calorie is a measurement of energy, similar to labels on food products
• A 100 cal/cm² blast can reach temperatures of up to 35,000 degrees Fahrenheit in the
center, and 11,000 degrees on the perimeter
Arc Hazard Exposure Levels
z Category 0 – N/A
z Category 1 – 4 cal/cm²*
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z Over 40 cal – Recommended to re‐engineer system to a lower rating.
z * Req'd minimum Rating of PPE.
z 1.2 cal/cm² is the ONSET of a second degree burn
z PPE Levels are the maximum at each exposure category
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