Interesting Facts Regarding Arc Flash Analysis

By Sonya Riley


Both the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, or IEEE, and the National Fire Protection Association, or NFPA, have recognized the importance of arc flash analysis, and have even started an initiative for funding of such research and testing. This is because these flashes can hurt employees, and can cause a meltdown of metals and circuit boards. They are extremely hot, at 5,000 degrees or even worse, and make use of air as a conductor. A high source of voltage is usually from where the explosion occurs, and the flashes move from one location to another nearby.

The flashes can be further explained as an explosion of energy. This occurs because of the weakening of air resistance surrounding a powerful electronic device, which in turn causes the escape of electricity. The electric current usually moves from one live conductor to a nearby ground area, to another live conductor or to a different neutral device.

A short circuit of this nature will happen so quickly, but the damages caused are immense. The flashes are so hot that they easily melt nearby metals, and their heat can obviously cause much harm to people in the vicinity. Electrical gadgets that are part of the occurrence are seldom found in tact.

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.

The danger imposed to people in the nearby vicinity of the flash includes burns from the flashes themselves, which have sometimes been found to be as hot as 5,000 degrees, and burns and other injuries from flying metal, molten metal pieces and hot gas. A person's eyes are particularly at risk. Flashes are virtually instantaneously hot and powerful, and are therefore very dangerous.

People who work around machines that produce high voltages may find it safer to wear garments that are fire-resistant, in case of an explosion. However, explosions are less likely to occur if the machines are in good repair, and the right tools are available.

Electricians dealing with high-voltage devices are at great risk, especially when they are completing installation and wiring tasks. It has been confirmed that, on a daily basis, there are about five arc flashes in the USA. Flashes will only occur around high-voltage equipment, and not in a household with ordinary appliances.

The 'flash protection boundary' is the area in which a person that has no protective gear has a fifty percent chance of sustaining a 2nd degree burn. People who are responsible for arc flash analysis should keep this boundary in mind. It is also wise to ensure they wear the correct PPE for the work.




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