Arc Flash Analysis
Caution: Don't Get Burned!

	Avoid a major threat to your employees and facility. Contact Us Today

NFPA 70E states, “Flash hazard analysis shall be done before a person approaches any exposed electrical conductor or circuit part that has not been placed in an electrically safe work condition.” “Where it has been determined that work will be performed within the flash protection boundary...., the flash hazard analysis shall determine, and the employer shall document, the incident energy exposure of the worker. This incident energy exposure level shall be based on the working distance of the employee’s face and chest areas from a perspective arc source for the specific task to be performed. Flame Resistant Clothing and Personal Protective Equipment shall be used by the employee based upon the incident energy exposure associated with the specific task.”

IEEE Std. 1584 states “For ready access to the specific needed flash protection boundary, working distance, and incident energy, such calculated values should be predominantly displayed on every piece of electrical equipment where an arc flash hazard exists in a workplace or otherwise be made available to workers.”

Arc flash hazard analysis should be performed in association with or as a continuation of a short circuit and protective device coordination study. Arc flash hazard studies performed by (CEG) provide the client with the calculated incident energy exposure level and arc flash protection boundaries. This information is then used to develop strategies that have the goal of minimizing burn injuries to employees. Specific strategies may include special PPE requirements, de-energized work requirements, arc-resistant switchgear requirements, special protection solutions.

CEG’s arc flash hazard studies conform to NFPA 70E and IEEE Std. 1584 and include the following steps:

• Collect system data.

• Determine modes of operation.

• Determine bolted fault currents.

• Determine arc fault currents.

• Determine the arc duration based upon protective devices.

• Determine the working distance for each piece of equipment.

• Determine the incident energy level for each piece of equipment.

• Determine the flash protection boundary for each piece of equipment.

• Develop strategies that have the goal of minimizing burn injuries to employees.

For safer and more reliable power systems and assistance with any of your power system needs, please contact us at (256) 351-1256.