Arc Flash Hazard is one of the three hazards that are directly associated with electricity, the other two being shock and arc blast.CSA Z462-15 defines Arc Flash as:
a dangerous conditions associated with the possible release of energy caused by an electric arc.
When there has been a breakdown in equipment insulation, whether from equipment failure or an electrical worker coming into contact when working on energized electrical equipment.
What Arc Flash Looks Like
The video above is an example of an arc flash in a 100A disconnect, it demonstrates the immense energy released and a typical application.
3 Side Benefits of an Arc Flash Study
There are tons of reasons to have a current Arc Flash Study, and an Electrical Safety Program, here are three side benefits that you may not have thought of include:
Hope your doors are attached
- As-Builts – When was the last time you incorporated all the redlines associated with your power system?
- Enclosure Audit – Are you sure all your equipment enclosures have their doors secured? Are there latches missing?
- Document Switching Configurations – Knowing the valid switching configurations for the facility is critical for the study, but not every plant has these written down for the operators.
Labels
The Canadian Electrical Code (rule 2-306) requires labels on all electrical equipment that may require energize work to have a warning label that an Arc Flash and Shock Hazard is present. However, that alone doesn’t provide enough information to ensure that the electrical worker opening that panel can select the appropriate PPE. Below is an oversized example of a typical label we would recommend.It includes all the information that is recommended by CSA Z462 and is easily read and can be audited without much effort. The top warning and first header line is all that is required by the Canadian Electrical Code, the remainder of the information provided allows a trained electrical worker to select the appropriate PPE for the task at hand.
Learning more about how to develop an Arc Flash Analysis for your plant
We are hosting a free webinar on exactly what IEEE 1584.1 is and how you use it to develop an Arc Flash Analysis on July 11, 2018. You can find out more about the webinar and register here https://www.jmkengineering.com/webinar-apply-ieee-1584-1-arc-flash-hazard-analysis/