The Importance Of Arc Flash Analysis

By Sonya Riley


Nowadays, more people are starting to realize the importance of arc flash analysis, in order to prevent disastrous losses of equipment and human lives. Arc flashes are known to not only destroy electrical circuit boards, but also to potentially harm people nearby the incident. They are strong, fast and extremely hot (over 5,000 degrees), and explode from a high voltage generator. They move through the air, as this is their conductor, and have an intense force and brightness. Research in this regard is supported and even possibly funded by the NFPA, National Fire Protection Association, and the IEEE, Electrical and Electronics Engineers.

These types of electrical flashes can also be described as an explosion of energy, or as an unexpected release of electricity. The reason why they happen can be attributed to the state of the air that surrounds a powerful electronic device. When the air resistance weakens, it can allow electricity to move into and through the air above it, and the electricity then passes from this live conductor to another, or to some other object or ground surface in the nearby vicinity.

Although the flashes occur over a very short period of time, they are very dangerous. A number of people have been seriously injured, and the flashes almost always result in the destruction of the involved electrical equipment. They are so dangerous because of the heat at which they occur.

Arc flashes cannot happen if there is not enough energy, and therefore they are only common nearby machinery which create voltages of 600 or over. There also needs to be some sort of fault in the device in order for an explosion to happen. For example, a machine that is surrounded by unnatural static electricity could be dangerous, or one with gaps in insulation and corrosion. Other factors can cause explosions as well. Flashes also need another conductor or ground area nearby in order to happen.

People in an accident of this sort are quite likely to sustain burns, either from the flash itself or from hot metals that are air-born from the explosion. Hot gases pose a threat as well. The energy and heat of the flashes rise in intensity very quickly, and cause a fast plasma reaction in the air. Past flashes have been noted as over 5,000 degrees by scientists.

To prevent explosions companies should follow OSHA regulations, and should train their employees accordingly. Industries may also consider providing their employees with protective clothing that is resistant to fire. The proper tools should be used, and high-voltage machinery should be in good operational condition. The wiring of such machinery should especially not be faulty.

Wiring should be well maintained as well, and companies should operate in accordance to OSHA regulations. Nearby the potential source of flashes, workers have a risk of receiving burns of a second degree nature.

Within the 'flash protection boundary', workers have a fifty percent chance of burns if they are not properly protected with PPE wear. Persons who are involved should be particularly careful when working with high-voltage equipment. The above facts are some of the reasons why companies should consider having an arc flash analysis.




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