This document provides an introduction to arc flash, including definitions of what arc flash is, the hazards it presents, and a brief history of safety standards and regulations. It describes some basic requirements from the NEC, OSHA, and other standards. It also outlines some common methods for calculating arc flash hazards, such as the Ralph Lee method and IEEE 1584 method. Mitigation techniques are discussed as well as examples of personal protective equipment. References and additional resources are provided.
This document provides an introduction to arc flash, including definitions of what arc flash is, the hazards it presents, and a brief history of safety standards and regulations. It describes some basic requirements from the NEC, OSHA, and other standards. It also outlines some common methods for calculating arc flash hazards, such as the Ralph Lee method and IEEE 1584 method. Mitigation techniques are discussed as well as examples of personal protective equipment. References and additional resources are provided.
This document provides an introduction to arc flash, including definitions of what arc flash is, the hazards it presents, and a brief history of safety standards and regulations. It describes some basic requirements from the NEC, OSHA, and other standards. It also outlines some common methods for calculating arc flash hazards, such as the Ralph Lee method and IEEE 1584 method. Mitigation techniques are discussed as well as examples of personal protective equipment. References and additional resources are provided.
This document provides an introduction to arc flash, including definitions of what arc flash is, the hazards it presents, and a brief history of safety standards and regulations. It describes some basic requirements from the NEC, OSHA, and other standards. It also outlines some common methods for calculating arc flash hazards, such as the Ralph Lee method and IEEE 1584 method. Mitigation techniques are discussed as well as examples of personal protective equipment. References and additional resources are provided.
What Is Arc Flash? What Is Arc Flash? Arc Flash is current that leaves its assigned path and short‐circuits through the air between conductors, or between a conductor and ground. Temperatures can soar well beyond that of the sun's surface (about 10,000F) in just a fraction of a second. Hazards include:
Presently, arc hazard analysis and standards primarily address the g thermal danger
1 ECE 525 – Introduction to Arc Flash History of Arc Flash History of Arc Flash •1960’s – Petrochemical industry begins applying fire hazard risk management to electrical arc flash hazards •1982 – Dr. Ralph Lee publishes “The Other Electrical Hazard: Electric Arc Burns”. The arc flash hazard continues to gain recognition as a significant safety risk. •1990 – Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recognizes need for arc‐flash safety in 29 CFR 1910 Subpart S safety in 29 CFR‐1910 Subpart S •1995 – National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) revised standard 70E to include arc flash protection boundaries. •2002 – NEC revised to require arc flash warning labels •2002 – IEEE releases Standard 1584,“Guide for Performing Arc‐Flash Hazard Calculations” •2007 NESC implements arc flash hazard requirements for utilities •2007 – NESC implements arc flash hazard requirements for utilities •2009 – Latest revision of NFPA‐70E 0 •2012? – Expected release of next revision to IEEE 1584 pected e ease o e t e s o to 58
2 ECE 525 – Introduction to Arc Flash
Basic Requirements Basic Requirements NEC 2008, section 110.16: Flash protection is required for "electrical equipment, such as switchboards, panelboards, industrial control panels, meter socket enclosures, and motor control centers" that are likely to require "examining, adjusting, servicing, or maintaining energized " h lk l " d d equipment, and the equipment shall be field marked to warn qualified persons of potential electric arc‐flash hazards".
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.132(d)(1): Places Arc Flash safety responsibility on employers to evaluate the (d)( ) l l h f bl l l h workplace for hazards and select and require the use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for its employees.
OSHA 269 CRR 1910.269(l)(6): Requires that workers be trained in potential electrical arc hazards and OS 269 C 9 0 269(l)(6) i h k b i di i l l i l h d d prohibits workers from wearing clothing that in the event of an arc, could potentially increase the extent of injuries. Interpretation Memorandum
NESC 410.A.5: Effective as of January 1, 2009, the employer shall ensure that an assessment is NESC 410 A 5 Eff i fJ 1 2009 h l h ll h i performed to determine potential exposure to an electric arc for employees who work on or near energized parts or equipment. This standard is voluntary and has limited applicability.
N Note: standards are evolving so refer to latest revision before implementation d d l i f l ii b f i l i
3 ECE 525 – Introduction to Arc Flash
Theory Ralph Lee Method Theory – Ralph Lee Method thev
AC
Note: Ralph Lee Method is not normally used for voltages between 208 V and 15 kV – refer to IEEE 1584-2002
4 ECE 525 – Introduction to Arc Flash
Theory Ralph Lee Method Theory – Ralph Lee Method thev
AC
Note: Ralph Lee Method is not normally used for voltages between 208 V and 15 kV
5 ECE 525 – Introduction to Arc Flash
Theory – Ralph Lee Method
Incident Energy = Energy impressed on a surface at a distance
f from an arc over a period i d off time ti [J/ 2 or cal/cm [J/cm l/ 2]
Note: Ralph Lee Method is not normally used for voltages between 208 V and 15 kV
6 ECE 525 – Introduction to Arc Flash
Theory Ralph Lee Method Theory – Ralph Lee Method
7 ECE 525 – Introduction to Arc Flash
Standards NFPA 70E‐2009 •Not Highly Technical •Not Highly Technical •Focuses on Safety, Task Planning and Execution •Provides Look Up Tables For PPE Based on Task and Equipment •References, but does not require use of IEEE‐1584
IEEE 1584‐2002 •Technical •Focuses on radiated heat from an arcing fault •Equations are empirical based on 208V‐15kV tests •Equations are empirical ‐ based on 208V 15kV tests •Curves fit to measured data (Lee method often too conservative)
8 ECE 525 – Introduction to Arc Flash
General Analysis Steps for IEEE 1584 Method
General Analysis Steps for IEEE 1584 Method
1. Calculate bolted 3‐phase fault currents (sometimes highest fault current is not the worst case e g inverse time curves – longer clearing time may dominate) worst case, e.g. inverse time curves – longer clearing time may dominate)
2. Determine duration of the arc a. Protection b. Machine decay c. Human response time (careful – must consider evacuation space)
3. Identify distance between worker and the arc
Identify distance between worker and the arc
4. Determine equipment configuration (enclosure type, bus gap, grounding etc.)
5. Calculate the Flash Protection Boundary, Incident Energy, and Identify l l h l h i d id d d if corresponding Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
9 ECE 525 – Introduction to Arc Flash
Example see handout for TCC Example – see handout for TCC Utility 115 kV Infinte Bus
SEL-587, 51P
100 100:5
115 – 4.16 KV 6 MVA Z = 7.6% on 6 MVA
GE SR-735 51P
2000:5
Note: The spreadsheet used in the lecture to calculate the arc flash energy (incident energy) for this example is based on the IEEE 1584-2002 method. Refer to the 2500 HP standard for details. The equations and method are also described in the file Induction Motor “ieee1584_procedure.pdf” which accompanies this presentation. A link to an on-line arc flash calculator is included in the references section of this presentation.
10 ECE 525 – Introduction to Arc Flash
Example see handout for TCC Example – see handout for TCC
11 ECE 525 – Introduction to Arc Flash
Arc Hazard Mitigation
Arc Hazard Mitigation
• De‐energizing equipment before performing maintenance
• Wearing appropriate personal protective equipment
• Setting or selecting protective devices to clear faults faster (differential, maintenance mode definite time, optical detectors etc ) etc.)
• Maintaining a greater distance from arcing sources by using remotely controlled devices
References/Links [1] Lee, R., “The other electrical hazard: electrical arc blast burns,” IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications, vol 1A-18. no. 3, p. 246, May/June 1982.
[2] IEEE IEEE, Std 1584 1584-2002 2002 Guide for Performing Arc Arc-Flash Flash Hazard Calculations Calculations, The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc., New York, 2002.
[3] NFPA 70E-2009, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace, National Fire Protection Association, 2005.
[4] Blackburn, J. L., Protective Relaying: Principles and Applications – Second Edition, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, 1998.
[[5]] Anderson,, P.M.,, Analysis
y of Faulted Power Systems, y , IEEE Press,, NJ,, 1995.
Arc Flash Information Resource Center: http://www.arcflash.me
