Arcflash PDF

Arc Flash Analysis
ETAP Workshop
©1996-2010 Notes
Operation © 1996-2010
Technology, Inc. Operation
– WorkshopTechnology,
Notes: ArcInc.
Flash Analysis Slide 1
Electrical Arc Hazards
• Electrical Arcs can occur when a conductive

object gets too close to a high-amp current
source (energized conductor).
• Arc Flash Burns
– The arc can heat the air to temperatures as
high as 35,000 F, and vaporize metal.
– Arc flash can cause severe skin burns by direct
heat exposure and by igniting clothing.
©1996-2010 Operation Technology, Inc. – Workshop Notes: Arc Flash Analysis Slide 2
Electrical Arc Hazards
• Arc Blast Impacts

– The heating of the air and vaporization of metal
creates a pressure wave that can damage
hearing and cause memory loss (from
concussion) and other injuries. Flying metal
parts are also a hazard.
• Falls
– Electric shocks and arc blasts can cause falls,
especially from ladders or unguarded
scaffolding.
Definitions
• Limited Approach Boundary: A shock protection
boundary not to be crossed by unqualified persons
unless escorted by qualified personnel.
• Restricted Approach Boundary: A shock protection
boundary to be crossed by only qualified persons.
Shock protection is required.
• Prohibited Approach Boundary: A shock protection
boundary to be crossed by only qualified persons. The
use of techniques that may require direct contact with
energized equipment.
Definitions
• Flash Protection Boundary: Distance at which the
incident energy equals 1.2 Cal/cm^2.
• Incident Energy: The amount of energy impressed on
a surface, a certain distance from the source,
generated during and electrical arc event.
• Working Distance: The dimension between the
possible arc point and the head and body of a worker
positioned in place to perform the task.
• Bolted fault current: A short-circuit contact between
two conductors at different potentials in which the
impedance between the conductors is zero.
Definitions
• Available fault current: The electrical current that can
be provided by the serving utility and facility-owned
electrical generating devices and large electrical
motors considering the amount of impedance in the
current path.
• Arcing fault current: A fault current flowing through an
electrical arc-plasma, also called arc fault current and
arc current.
• Voltage (Nominal): A nominal value assigned to a
circuit or system for the purpose of designating its
voltage class (I.e. 120/240 V, 480Y/277 V, 600V, etc).
Regulating Authorities
• OSHA 29 CFR 1910.132 (d) requires
employers to assess the workplace to
determine if hazards are present, or likely to be
present and select and have each employee
use the types of PPE that will protect them.
• OSHA 29 CFR 1910.333 Requires employees
who are exposed to electrical shock hazard to
be qualified for the specific task that they are
performing and use the appropriate PPE
Regulating Authorities
• OSHA 29 CFR 1910.335 (a)(1)(I): Protective
equipment for specific body parts
• OSHA 29 CFR 1910.335 (a)(2)(I): use of Insulated
tools when working around energized equipment.
• NEC 110.6: equipment must be marked to warn
qualified persons of potential electrical arc-flash
hazards.
• NFPA 70E-2000 Part II Chapter 2, paragraph 2-1.3.3
states that arc-flash analysis must be performed in
order to determine the level of hazard and appropriate
PPE for given tasks.
Protection From Arc Flash Hazards
NFPA 70E 2004 “Standard for Electrical Safety

Requirements for Employee Workplaces”
IEEE 1584 2002 “Guide for Performing Arc Flash

Hazard Calculations”
Comparison of Arc Flash Standards
NFPA 70E-2000 IEEE 1584-2002
208 – 15 kV (Empirical)
Voltage Range 208 V – 600 V
15 kV+ (Lee Method)
Current Range 16 kA – 50 kA 0.7 kA to 106 kA
Arc Duration Range No limit No Limit

Open Air, Open Air, Cubic Box,
Installations
Cubic Box Cable Bus
Working Distance 18 inches + 18 inches +
Unit of Measure Cal/cm2 or J/cm2 Cal/cm2 or J/cm2
Incident Energy Comparison
600 Volt Arc in Open Air Incident energy Exposure @ 18 in.
20
15
Calorie/cm^2
NFPA 70E-2000
10
IEEE 1584-2002
0
0 10 20
Fault clearing time (Cycles)
Incident energy exposure at a working distance of 18”

for a 19.5 kA Arc @ 600 Volts (open air equipment)
600 Volt Arc in Closed Box Incident energy Exposure @ 18 in.
20
15
NFPA 70E-2000
Calorie/cm^2
IEEE 1584-2002
10
0
0 10 20
Fault clearing time (Cycles)
Incident energy exposure at a working distance of 18”

for a 19.5 kA Arc @ 600 Volts (enclosed equipment)
NFPA Hazard Risk Determination
Quick Table (Table 3-3.9.1 of 2000 Ed)
• Can you use them exclusively and still be in
compliance for Arc-Flash safety?
• Developed based on outdated standard that only
covers 600 V systems
• May result in unnecessary overprotection / under
protection
• Best when used only in emergency situation for quick
evaluation of hazard level
• Standard mandates a detail arc-flash analysis be
performed when the task is not specifically covered by
this table
General Steps for Performing
Arc Flash Analysis
• Collect system information required for the Arc
Flash Calculation
• Determine the system operating configuration
• Calculate 3-Phase bolted fault currents
• Calculate arcing fault current (IEEE only)
• Determine arc clearing time (arc duration) -TCC
General Steps for Performing
Arc Flash Analysis
• Calculate Incident Energy
• Determine Flash Protection Boundary
• Determine Hazard/Risk Category based on

NFPA 70E requirements
• Select appropriate protective equipment

(PPE Matrix)
Data Collection for Arc Flash
NFPA IEEE
Required Parameter 70E 1584
System Nominal Voltage X X

Gap Between Conductors X
Distance X Factor X
System Grounding
X
(Grounded/Ungrounded)
Open/Enclosed Equipment X X
Working Distance X X
Coordination Information (TCC) X X
Gap between Conductors
Additional Considerations
• Up to date one-line-diagrams
• Data similar to information required for Short-
circuit studies like MVAsc values of Utilitiy
including X/R, subtransient and transient
reactance, cable impedance, etc.
• Include low voltage equipment which is often
not included in large systems
3-Phase Bolted Fault Current
• Perform ANSI/IEC short circuit study that considers
the following:
– 3-phase bolted fault
– ½ cycle or 1½-4 cycle fault current depending on the
type of device or system voltage
– Include all cables & Overload heaters
– Prefault voltage (nominal circuit voltage)
– Short-circuit Calculation should be more accurate rather
than too conservative (faults may persist longer at lower
current levels which may translate into higher energy)
System Modes of Operation
• Open or looped
• One or more utility feeders in service
• Utility interface substation secondary bus tie breaker
open or closed
• Unit substation with one or two primary feeders
• Unit substation with two transformers with secondary
tie opened or closed
• MCC with one or two feeders, one or both energized.
• Generators running in parallel with the utility supply or
in standby mode
Why use 3-Phase Faults
• Line to Line faults quickly escalate into three- phase

faults
• LV L-G faults in solidly grounded systems quickly
escalate into three phase faults
• LV L-G faults in Ungrounded / High resistance
grounded systems do not release enough energy.
• MV faults in low resistance or reactance grounded
systems should be cleared quickly, but worst case
scenario 3-phase fault should be considered
Standards for Short-Circuit
• IEEE Std 141-1993 (IEEE Red Book)

• IEEE Std 242-2001 (IEEE Buff Book)
• ANSI (different standards like C37, etc)
• IEC (60909, 60363, etc)
• See ETAP help file for more standards
Arcing Current
In general, arcing current in systems below 15.0 kV will be less
than the 3-phase fault current because of arc impedance.
For buses with nominal kV in the range of 0.208 to 1.0 kV:
lg( Ia ) = K + 0.662 * lg( I bf ) + 0.0966 *V + 0.000526 * G

+ 0.5588 *V * (lg( I bf )) − 0.00304 * G * (lg( I bf ))
Arcing Current
For buses with nominal kV rating in the range of 1 to 15.0 kV:
lg( Ia ) = 0.00402 + 0.983 * lg( I bf )
For buses with nominal kV rating greater than 15 kV, the

arcing current can be considered to be the same as the
bolted fault current:
Ia = I bf
Arc Duration LV CB
Arc Duration LV CB
Arc Duration for Fuses
Incident Energy
Empirical method (1.0 to 15.0 kV)
 t  610   x
E = 4.184 * C f * En   *  x 
 0 .2   D 
Lee method (higher than 15.0 kV)

6 t 
E = 2.142 *10 *V * I bf  2 
D 
Flash Protection Boundary
Empirical method (1.0 to 15.0 kV)
 t  610   x
1.2 = 4.184 * C f * En   *  x 
 0 .2   D 
Lee method (higher than 15.0 kV)

 t 
6
1.2 = 2.142 *10 *V * I bf  2 
D 
Hazard / Risk Categories
NFPA 70E 2000
Incident Energy Hazard Risk Total Weight

Exposure cal/cm2 Category Oz/yd2
1.2 > cal/cm2 ≥ 0 0 4.5 – 7
5 > cal/cm2 ≥ 1.2 1 4.5 – 8
8 > cal/cm2 ≥ 5 2 9 – 12
25> cal/cm2 ≥ 8 3 16-20
cal/cm2 ≥ 25 4 24-30
Personal Protective Equipment
PPE Matrix
Categories 0 and 1 Personal Clothing/Equipment Requirements

per Table 3-3.9.2 of NFPA 70E 2000
Category 0 (up to 1.2 Cal/cm2)
• Shirt (Long-Sleeve)
• Pants (Long)
• Safety Glasses
• V-Rated Gloves
• Insulated Tools
Category 1 (1.2 up to 5.0 Cal/cm2)
• Shirt (Long-Sleeve) FR
• Pants (Long) FR
• Safety Glasses FR
• V-Rated Gloves
• Insulated Tools
• Hard Hat FR
Category 2 (5.0 up to 8.0 Cal/cm2)
• Category 1 Requirements
plus
• Extra Layer of Untreated
Natural fiber (Shirt & FR FR
Pants)
• Leather Work Shoes
Category 3 (8 up to 25 Cal/cm2)
plus
• Coveralls up to 2 Sets
• Double Layer Switching
Hood
• Hearing Protection
Category 4 (higher than 25 Cal/cm2)
plus
• Flash Suit
PPE Incident Energy Rating
• ATPV: is the defined as the incident energy on a fabric or

material that results in sufficient heat transfer through the
fabric or material to cause the onset of a second degree
burn.
• EBT: is defined as the average of the five highest incident
energy exposures values below the Stoll curve where the
specimens do not exhibit breakopen. EBT is reported when
the ATPV cannot be determined due to FR fabric
breakopen.
• HAF%: is the heat transfer capability of the fabric or
material
Stoll Curve
FR Equipment Layering
Example of Layered System
(100 − HAF %)
E ' = Ecalculated ( cal / cm 2 ) *
100
• Proposed PPE for Arc Fault with E = 22 Cal/cm^2
Proposed ATPV Rating EBT HAF %

Equipment (cal/cm^2) (cal/cm^2)
FR Shirt (long 5 9 85
Sleeve)
FR Raincoat 10 18 70
Example of Layered System
(100 − 70) 2
E ' = 22 * = 6.6cal / cm
100
• Energy that passes to second layer is higher than ATPV
• EBT is too low for outer layer (possible breakopen)
Modified ATPV Rating EBT HAF %

Equipment (cal/cm^2) (cal/cm^2)
FR Shirt (long 9 9 85
Sleeve)
FR Raincoat 15 22 70
Considerations for layering
• ATPV rating of the equipment must be above

the calculated incident energy of the Arc for
single layer FR system
• In multiple layer FR system there must be no
breakopen that reaches the innermost layer to
prevent possible ignition of such
• NFPA example recommends
Example1
Arc Fault at
Location A
Arc Fault at
Location B
Example1
• Fault at location B
Calculated incident energy = 0.784 Cal/cm2
(Relay B operates at 1.206 cycles + 5 cycles HVCB)
• For a fault at location A
(Relay A operates at 2.406 cycles + 5 cycles HVCB)
• Hence the Incident Energy to be considered for this system

should be 0.945 Cal/cm2 (the most conservative value).
Example 2
Arc Fault at
Location C
Arc Fault at
Location D
Example 2
• Fault at location C:
(LVCB 15 operates in 0.150 sec.)
• For a fault at location D:

(LVCB 16, 17 & 18 operate in 0.115 sec.)
• Hence the Incident Energy to be considered for this system

should be 7.604 Cal/cm2 (the most conservative value).
Arc Flash Hazard Labels
• Place labels at each location (cubicle)

• Contain information that is clear and
communicates the danger level
• Meet current format per ANSI Z535 2002
(safety symbols)
Examples of Safety Labels
ASTM Insulating Glove Voltage Classes
Types of Insulating Glove Max. use voltage AC
(L-L) (V-Rating Class Bus nominal kV range
field)
500 00 kV ≤ 0.500 Bus kV ≤≥
Low Voltage Gloves

1000 0 0.500 kV < Bus kV ≤ 1.0 kV
7500 1 1.0 kV < Bus kV ≤ 7.5 kV
17000 2 7.5 kV < Bus kV ≤ 17.0 kV
High Voltage Gloves

26500 3 17.0 kV < Bus kV ≤ 26.5 kV
36000 4 26.5 kV < Bus kV ≤ 36.0 kV
Solutions to Arc-Flash Problems
• Infrared Analysis: which allow inspections of
the equipment to be made without exposure to
the equipment (inspections of load, connection,
component fatigue and overheating without
opening the equipment).
• Remote Racking Systems: which allow the
racking of circuit breakers at a safe distance
and thus reducing the amount of incident
energy exposure.
• Low Arc Flash Circuit Breakers : which are
designed to blow open the terminals in an
amount of time comparable to current limiting
fuses.
• Arc-Flash Detecting Circuit Breakers:
devices which can sense a combination of
arcing current and the light emitted by an arc
(cause the main circuit breaker to open to
extinguish the fault).
• Current Limiting Fuses: Fuses designed to
operate very fast at certain current levels. Will
work for a lot of situations, but they may
introduce coordination problems and nuisance
tripping.
• De-energize When Possible : The best
strategy to protect against arc-flash dangers is
to de-energize the equipment if possible at all.
• Replacing Switchgear with Arc Resistant
Switchgear
• Adding a Secondary Relay that can trip the
Primary Breaker
• De-energize When Possible : The best
strategy to protect against arc-flash dangers is
to de-energize the equipment if possible at all.

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Arc Flash Analysis

• Electrical Arcs can occur when a conductive

• Arc Blast Impacts

NFPA 70E 2004 “Standard for Electrical Safety

IEEE 1584 2002 “Guide for Performing Arc Flash

Arc Duration Range No limit No Limit

Unit of Measure Cal/cm2 or J/cm2 Cal/cm2 or J/cm2

Incident energy exposure at a working distance of 18”

Incident energy exposure at a working distance of 18”

• Determine the system operating configuration

• Calculate 3-Phase bolted fault currents

• Calculate arcing fault current (IEEE only)

• Determine arc clearing time (arc duration) -TCC

• Determine Flash Protection Boundary

• Determine Hazard/Risk Category based on

• Select appropriate protective equipment

System Nominal Voltage X X

• Line to Line faults quickly escalate into three- phase

• IEEE Std 141-1993 (IEEE Red Book)

For buses with nominal kV in the range of 0.208 to 1.0 kV:

lg( Ia ) = K + 0.662 * lg( I bf ) + 0.0966 *V + 0.000526 * G

lg( Ia ) = 0.00402 + 0.983 * lg( I bf )

For buses with nominal kV rating greater than 15 kV, the

Empirical method (1.0 to 15.0 kV)

Lee method (higher than 15.0 kV)

Empirical method (1.0 to 15.0 kV)

Lee method (higher than 15.0 kV)

Incident Energy Hazard Risk Total Weight

Categories 0 and 1 Personal Clothing/Equipment Requirements

• ATPV: is the defined as the incident energy on a fabric or

Proposed ATPV Rating EBT HAF %

Modified ATPV Rating EBT HAF %

• ATPV rating of the equipment must be above

• For a fault at location A

Calculated incident energy = 0.945 Cal/cm2

(Relay A operates at 2.406 cycles + 5 cycles HVCB)

• Hence the Incident Energy to be considered for this system

• For a fault at location D:

Calculated incident energy = 5.576 Cal/cm2

• Hence the Incident Energy to be considered for this system

• Place labels at each location (cubicle)

500 00 kV ≤ 0.500 Bus kV ≤≥

Low Voltage Gloves

7500 1 1.0 kV < Bus kV ≤ 7.5 kV

17000 2 7.5 kV < Bus kV ≤ 17.0 kV

High Voltage Gloves

36000 4 26.5 kV < Bus kV ≤ 36.0 kV

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lg( Ia ) = K + 0.662 * lg( I bf ) + 0.0966 V + 0.000526 G