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Arc Flash study

Arc flash study is an analysis of a distribution system to calculate the incident energy to determining the arc flash hazard and risk that a personnel could be exposed during an event of arc flash. With the calculated value of incident energy proper personal protective equipment (PPE) is recommended and warning labels are generated.

Objectives of Arc Flash study:

  • To find the incident energy at low voltage and medium voltage switchgears
  • To propose the flash protection boundary, limited approach boundary, restricted approach boundary and prohibited approach boundary
  • To mention the risk assessment for human and equipment safety
  • To propose the required PPE kit as per the IEEE 1584-2018 based on the incident energy
  • Generation of arc flash warning labels

Arc Flash study Execution:

  • Gathering all the required inputs such as, Single line diagram, equipment parameters, impedance data, system fault level, grid X/R ratio, electrode configuration and protective device settings
  • Field verification of the system
  • Modelling the system as per the input data collected from the customer
  • Short circuit current (bolted fault current) is determined at each bus
  • The fault clearing time of each bus is determined by the source PD of that bus and incident energy is calculated based on the FCT and Arc current
  • Suitable PPE Kit is recommended based on the incident energy level
  • Warning labels are generated and attached to the final report

Result of Arc Flash Study:

  • Arc flash boundary is found
  • Suitable PPE kits are recommended
  • Warning Labels are generated
  • Incident energy level at each buses are found
  • Arc current and bolted fault currents found

Reference Standards:

  1. NFPA 70E- Standard for electrical safety in the workplace.
  2. IEEE Std 1584- 2018- IEEE Guide for performing Arc flash hazard calculation.