Arc Flash Hazard

Arc Flash Safety: Comprehensive Training, Studies, and Analysis

Ensuring safety from arc flash incidents is crucial for any workplace dealing with electrical systems. Our Arc Flash Safety solutions provide an in-depth approach to identifying and mitigating risks through specialized Arc Flash Training, detailed Arc Flash Studies, and comprehensive analysis. Our Arc Flash Studies assess your facility's electrical infrastructure to identify potential hazards and provide recommendations for protective measures. The results of an Arc Flash Study guide our customized training programs that equip your team with the knowledge and skills to work safely around electrical systems, ensuring compliance with the latest safety standards. With our expert-led Arc Flash Training and thorough assessments, you can maintain a safe, compliant, and efficient working environment for all your employees.

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What is Arc Flash?

Arc flash is a type of electrical explosion that can occur when there is a sudden release of energy in an electrical system. This energy can be created by a short circuit, an overload, or a fault. Arc flash can cause serious injuries or death to workers who are nearby.

How is Arc Flash Produced?

Arc flash is a dangerous electrical event that can occur when an electric current passes through the air. This current can cause a sudden bright flash of light and an intense burst of heat. These events can cause serious injuries, including burns and death.

Arc flash is produced when electrical current flows through the air. This can happen when an electrical fault causes current to bypass the load and flow through the air. This can also happen when a conductor (such as a wire) carrying current is suddenly broken.

A bright flash of light is produced when the electrical current creates a spark. This spark can generate temperatures of up to 35,000 degrees Celsius. The intense heat can cause burns and injuries.

What are the Rules in Canada and United States?

In Canada the standard used is the CSA-Z462 Workplace Electrical Safety which is closely harmonized with the most used standard in United States, NFPA 70E - Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace.

In Canada and the United States, there are specific rules and regulations in place to help protect workers from the dangers of arc flash. By understanding how arc flash is caused and taking the necessary precautions, you can help protect yourself and your coworkers from this hazard.

Why Do you Need the Study?

Nowadays, arc flash incidents are taken more seriously than 20 years ago because the increase of fatalities, injuries, and damage to equipment, all combined, have created the necessary awareness within the electrical industry to promote electrical safety in the workplace.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration in US and Canada provide rules to follow for creating a safer place for the electrical workers while performing maintenance or troubleshooting. At this point it is important to know what the hazard is to be exposed and the best way to do it is by performing an arc flash analysis throughout a study performed by a licensed engineer.

Enerxion provides its expertise in this area to let you know what hazard are present at your facility and what the measures are to reduce the likelihood of an injury or even an equipment damage.

What’s the Next Step?

Enerxion’s principal owner has dedicated his career to electrical safety and developed ways to provide the right and most accurate results for his customers. Once clients have the intention to know what hazards are present at their facilities, Enerxion will provide a complete solution which includes data collection, short circuit, device evaluation, time current curves, protective device coordination, arc flash analysis, arc flash mitigation, affixing arc flash labels, electrical safety training, and electrical safety program as needed.

Enerxion have developed a step by step procedure to know what is included in an arc flash study and how to get value of its results.

How We Provide an Arc Flash Study?

Step # 1

The Quote

The first step for an arc flash study is to generate a quote. We will request the single-line diagrams even if they are outdated, don’t worry, Our Engineers will update them once you approve the scope of work.

If the SLDs are not available, we strongly suggest you contact us to discuss other ways to provide further details on what is needed in order to get this quote.

When the quote is generated we define the scope of work as per your requirements, if you need help, please contact us to provide more information. Some of this preliminary information about your electrical system could be:

Facility size and type
Number of electrical panels, transformers, switchgear
Voltage levels and protective device types
Compliance with standards (e.g., IEEE 1584, NFPA 70E, CSA Z462)

There are two ways we can get the electrical system information.

You provide all the electrical system information, including updates like new upgrades.
Our experts go to your site and inspect your electrical equipment for accurate data collection. When we get the opportunity to gather information, we ensure we assess every piece of equipment to provide you with feedback on compliance by reviewing them based on electrical codes.

Data collection is the backbone of an arc flash study, if the equipment information is not correct, the final report will be incorrect as well, so make sure this step is carefully planned.

When we provide data collection, we use software (ETAP or SKM) to input the equipment information directly.

Step # 2

Collect Electrical System Data

Step # 3

Develop or Update Single-Line Diagrams

A comprehensive single-line diagram is critical for visualizing the electrical system and performing an arc flash study. The diagram should include all electrical components, such as transformers, switchgear, panels, and cables, while clearly identifying areas where arc flash hazard analysis is required.

Updating or creating these diagrams ensures the study is performed accurately and efficiently.

Defining the parameters of the arc flash study helps establish its goals and scope. Focus on analyzing your system operating above 50 volts, as these typically pose a risk for arc flash.

Select the relevant standards for the study, such as IEEE 1584 for detailed arc flash calculations and NFPA 70E or CSA Z462 for safety compliance. Additionally, determine the working distances for calculations, which commonly range from 18 to 36 inches, depending on the equipment type.

Step # 4

Define Study Parameters

Step # 5

Perform Short Circuit Analysis

The first analysis performed by our expert engineers is the short circuit analysis, it calculates the available fault currents in the system, a crucial input for arc flash calculations.

This analysis is done by the use of advanced software tools like ETAP or SKM to perform precise calculations. Once the fault current levels are validated against equipment ratings, we ensure they do not exceed the equipment’s interrupting capacity to ensure system safety and reliability.

Next, the protective device coordination minimizes arc flash risks by ensuring that circuit breakers, fuses, and relays operate quickly and selectively during a fault.

Analyzing the time-current characteristics (TCC) of these devices and adjusting their settings as needed will optimize system performance and reduce arc flash energy.

Step # 6

Conduct Protective Device Coordination Study

Step # 7

Calculate and Analyze Incident Energy or Arc Flash

Using the collected data and IEEE 1584 equations with the software help, we calculate the incident energy (measured in cal/cm²) released during an arc flash event at each location that requires an arc flash label.

Also, we determine the arc flash boundary, which is the distance from the arc source where the incident energy equals 1.2 cal/cm², this is a threshold for second-degree burns. These calculations help assess the risk level and guide the selection of personal protective equipment (PPE).

Once the analyses have been performed, we reate a document report to provide a visual illustration on findings and proposed changes in order to comply with the current standards and codes.

The customer will get the opportunity to check this report and provide any input or changes to the revised document. This will ensure that we are aligned with the scope of work and the customer can get any doubts sorted and answered at this time.

Step # 8

Review Arc Flash Results

Step # 9

Implement or Affix Arc Flash Labels

Once the report has been approved by the customer and no changes are required, we proceed to print the arc flash labels with a specialized industrial label printing system.

Labeling is a key step in ensuring compliance and enhancing safety. Install durable, standardized labels on all relevant electrical equipment. These labels should include important information such as the arc flash boundary, incident energy level (or PPE category), and voltage and shock protection boundaries.

Once the report has been approved by the customer and labels installed, we provide proper training that equips workers with the knowledge they need to safely operate around energized equipment.

Educate personnel on the hazards of arc flash, the importance of PPE, and the meaning of arc flash boundaries. Emphasize safe work practices and procedures to minimize risk during maintenance or troubleshooting activities.

Step # 10

Train and Inform Personnel

Step # 11

Update and Maintain the Study

This is the last step, continuing monitoring your electrical system as an arc flash study is not a one-time task. It is required to update the study whenever changes are made to the electrical system, such as new equipment installations or protective device setting adjustments, anything related to electrical system updates shall be recognized as part of your safety standard and updated.

Additionally, review and update the study at least every five years, as required by NFPA 70E or CSA Z462, to remain compliant with evolving standards and maintain workplace safety.

No matter where you are located, we provide arc flash electrical safety services nationwide in North America and South America as we speak Spanish as well.

CANADA: +1 (587) 997-47-26

UNITED STATES: +1 (210) 992-0989

Now Your Next Step is to Get Your Arc Flash Study Done!

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