ARC Flash Study Analysis

Arc Flash is an accidental event that can occur at any facility like an industrial, commercial, residential systems when the short circuit current flows in an inadvertent path and gets energised by the ionized air surrounding the conductors which now acts as a dielectric. This arc current of the range of 10 KA to 30 KA causes a blast of plasma and an enormous heat and light and a pressure wave sending molten metal, and other debris in the vicinity with a loud sound of about 160 DB. The toxic gases, shrapnel and the heat energy cause severe burns, visual and acoustic damages and may even cause death. Statistics show that Arc Flash incidents occur quite often with severe injuries.

The one-line diagrams are then reviewed for development of new drawings or to include any new changes within the system. For every 5 years period, and for every 30 % change in the load, an Arc Flash Study at your facility is mandated by NFPA 70 E in order to ensure electrical safe working conditions. With the data acquired, VB Engineering team reviews it with the previous records of Arc Flash

Arc Flash Hazard Solutions and Report

Study Reports and develops the necessary One-line diagrams. The system configurations for current, and its orientation are all illustrated in the one-line diagrams for a clear understanding. Identification of all the buses, feeders, fuses, enclosures air gap between the conductors, branch currents, alternate feeds form the crucial data to be analysed for the determination of Arc Flash Hazard Analysis.

From the data collected arc flash study requires all the data pertaining to power sources, generators, large motors that contribute to arc flash hazard. This data is also implemented in the short circuit coordination study. With SKM Tools, Easy power, ETAP, TANTRA and other commercially available software SLDs are developed. All the data pertaining to transformers, tap changers, capacitor banks, current limiting devices, size of transformers (KVA /MVA), type of grounding, type of transformer connections, switch boards, MCCs, control panels, protective relays, buses, fuses are represented in the SLD for easy reference and understanding of the electrical system at the facility.

One of the most important information from the data acquired is the value of short circuit current in Arc Flash hazard analysis. The short circuit currents at all the equipment for different modes of operation is collected. And for each mode of operation and at each equipment the possibility of an Arc Flash hazard, effects of arc flash and the severity and the potential damage that could result is deduced. As per IEEE 1584-2018 mathematical models, the data of the conductors, type of conductors, gap between the conductors, the equipment where the conductors are installed, arcing fault current values, type of enclosure like horizontal, vertical, box type, HOA, VCB, VCBB, VOA, are to be obtained from the facility. Depending on the voltage range, short circuit analysis is determined.

ARC Flash Safety Scope

With the data collected and SLD developed, the fault currents and bolted fault currents are calculated with the implementation of the mathematical models provided by IEEE 1584- 2018. The values of bolted fault currents and arc fault currents are usseful in arc flash calculation. For all modes of operation like multiple utility feeders running concurrently at a given point of time, one or more primary feeders, two transformers with tie open or closed, MCC, and for different X/R ratio the currents are determined.

Arc Flash calculation further requires the Incident Energy values at each equipment likely to exhibit an arc flash hazard. The severity of an Arc Flash and thus the arc flash hazard analysis is determined from the incident energy value. The arc duration, gap between the conductors are the major factors on which the arc flash hazard depends. The arc duration, protective relay operating times are all obtained from the TCC curves. TCC curves for circuit breakers, fuses and their overlapping are determined. The short circuit coordination study is determined from the TCC curves, settings of the protective devices and all the branch currents that energise the arc fault current. From the values obtained from the short circuit coordination studies and arc fault currents and bolted fault currents, incident energy values, the Arc Flash Hazard is categorised. HRC provides the operating distance for the corresponding incident energy, enclosure type and gap between the conductors.

Arc Flash Study Report formulation

Arc Flash study report is formulated for different HRC and level of incident energy values from arc flash calculation. VB Engineering conducts the arc flash survey at your facility in compliance to all the arc flash study requirements. A detailed arc flash study report with the necessary suggestions in

The need for maintenance or replacement of switches, circuit breakers, contactors, protective devices.
Recommendations on the improvement of system operating practices. Need for replacement or adding of new motor, transformers.
Incident energy, bolted fault currents, arc fault currents, TCC curves, SLDs, Arc flash boundaries for each equipment and for different modes of operation are included.
Recommendations for the time settings and protective device settings from the short circuit coordination study to be implemented in the mitigation of the arc. When the arc is mitigated accurately an event of an Arc Flash and hence Arc Flash hazard can be indefinitely avoided or it can be limited to just burn injuries rather than fatal injuries, severe damage to the equipment.
Arc Flash Hazard labelling is one of the paramount aspect of Arc Flash survey. As per the standards for Electrical safety at work places, OSHA and NFPA 70 E, NEC mandates that the workers are to be made aware by the management of the Arc Flash Hazard scenario they are working. At each equipment having a potential possibility of an arc flash, Arc Flash Labelling with the values of Arc Flash Boundaries, HRC, required PPE, incident energy, gap between the conductors, safe operating distance, fault current are to be labelled. VB Engineering supplies you with the Arc Flash Labelling in abstract and easy to understand pattern as per the standards, and PPE for the required operation.
Arc Flash Boundaries provide with the requisite that a qualified operating personnel is working for the operation at hand. The working personnel should be well trained so as to be aware of the risks and required operating practices. VB Engineering provides with the Arc Flash Training as per the facility's requirement along with the arc flash study report.
Deenergizing the lines for working is the best practice in safe guarding your facility. In order to avoid the need for a halt in the production Arc Flash awareness and right working practices are to be followed by any facility irrespective of its size. Statistics of Electrical accidents globally show that 1 or 2 fatal incidents occur due to arc flash. Apart from fatal injuries, Arc Flash also causes burn injuries, and PTSD in some cases. The losses incurred due to outage, production and reliability effects cost millions of dollars. It is fitting to state that a business with the welfare of its employees and safeguarding their facility as its priority gets incentives in the form of nullified fines, safe working environment and satisfied work force. Contact our consultant at VB Engineering for an Arc Flash study at your facility right away.

VB Engineering is a pioneer among the Arc Flash Study companies with a vast experience and satisfied customers globally. VB Engineering, offers an Arc Flash Survey at your facility and conduct an Arc Flash Study with the support of professional team of engineers in the field and formulate an Arc Flash study report with all the necessary measures to adopt to perpetuate safe working conditions at your facility. Arc Flash study companies facilitate in identifying the arc flash hazard and determine the arc flash hazard analysis. The choice of the right Arc Flash company for your facility is crucial. Arc Flash hazard analysis is a systematic procedure to calculate methods to mitigate the incident energy and there by reduce the adverse effects caused during an arc flash. OSHA, NFPA 70 E and other international standards thus make it a mandatory that an Arc Flash study at your facility and a record of the Arc Flash Study reports are maintained periodically. Hefty fines are levied in the violation of these standards. The Arc Flash Survey from an Arc Flash study company ensures that these regulations are met.