Arc Flash Study
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Preventing Electrical Explosions
An Arc Flash is a sudden, explosive release of electrical energy through the air when a high-voltage gap exists and there is a breakdown between conductors. The resulting temperatures can exceed 19,000°C—hotter than the surface of the sun—causing severe burns and structural damage.
B2B Industrial Solutions performs scientific Arc Flash Analysis using software modeling (ETAP/SKM) to determine the Incident Energy level at every point in your system, ensuring your personnel are equipped with the correct PPE.
Study Deliverables
Incident Energy
Calculating the amount of thermal energy (cal/cm²) reaching a worker at a specified distance during an arc event.
Energy FluxFlash Boundaries
Defining the "Limited Approach" and "Flash Protection" boundaries where special safety precautions must be taken.
Safe DistancesLabeling Program
Generating and fixing durable labels on switchgear that display incident energy levels and required PPE categories.
Sample LabelsMitigation Strategy
Providing recommendations to reduce incident energy through protection settings or remote switching solutions.
Engineering ControlsPPE Category Matrix (NFPA 70E)
The results of the arc flash study determine the minimum protective clothing required for your electrical team.
| PPE Category | Incident Energy | Body Protection Required |
|---|---|---|
| Category 1 | 1.2 to 4 cal/cm² | Arc-rated long sleeve shirt & pants (min 4 cal) |
| Category 2 | 4.1 to 8 cal/cm² | Arc-rated shirt & pants + Balaclava (min 8 cal) |
| Category 4 | 25.1 to 40 cal/cm² | Arc-rated "Flash Suit" (Coat, pants, hood) |
| Extreme | > 40 cal/cm² | No safe PPE available; Remote switching required |
Arc Flash Study Process Flow
Our systematic approach ensures IEEE 1584 compliance and actionable safety improvements.
| Phase | Activity | Key Deliverable | Standard Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Data Collection | Site survey, single-line diagram review, equipment ratings, protective device settings | Complete electrical system inventory | IEEE 1584 §4.2 |
| 2. System Modeling | Build network model in ETAP/SKM software, validate impedances and fault currents | Validated short-circuit analysis | IEEE 1584 §4.3 |
| 3. Arc Flash Calculation | Run incident energy calculations at working distances (18", 24", 36") | Incident energy (cal/cm²) per bus | IEEE 1584 §D.8 |
| 4. PPE Selection | Determine arc-rated clothing category based on incident energy levels | PPE category matrix | NFPA 70E Table 130.7(C)(15)(a) |
| 5. Labeling | Design and install NFPA 70E compliant arc flash warning labels | Durable equipment labels | NFPA 70E §130.5(D) |
| 6. Mitigation Recommendations | Propose engineering controls to reduce incident energy (e.g., zone-selective interlocking) | Risk reduction strategy | IEEE 1584 §5.4 |