By definition, an arc flash (blast or explosion) occurs when there is an electrical breakdown of the resistance of air resulting in an electric arc which can occur where there is sufficient voltage in an electrical system and a path to ground or lower voltage

Arc flashes can be caused by seemingly insignificant errors or conditions, such as a dropped tool, corroded equipment, or a buildup of dust. The casual nature of arc flashes combined with temperatures that can reach upwards of 10,000◦ F, create unintended circumstances for catastrophic injury or loss of life and property.

Because of the significant threat posed by arc fault failures, there are stringent rules governing the labeling of energized electrical equipment: Article 110.24 of the 2011 edition of the National Electric Code and NFPA 70E 2009 edition "Electric Safety in the Workplace." Arc Flash Labeling Services can assess your risk level, recommend customized solutions and train your employees on how to work safely.

Arc Flash Labeling Consulting and Survey services include arc flash assessment, analysis, recommendations and training.

Our Process
Accurate information about your facility's electrical system is essential to our process. We will conduct a site assessment to gather data on the electrical system that includes:

Data Collection

• Electric utility available fault current
• Transformer name plate data: KVA, voltages, impedance
• Conduit and conductor types, sizes and lengths
• Panel board and switch gear name plate data
• Fuse and circuit breaker data
• Develop accurate one-line diagrams showing existing conditions.

Analysis

• Power system evaluation for a Short-Circuit Analysis
• Protective Device Coordination Analysis
• Interrupting Rating Analysis
• Arc Flash Analysis based on IEEE1584 and NFPA 70E (supervised by a licensed professional engineer)
• Calculate incident energy (generally at 18 or 24)
• Calculate flash boundary
• Determine hazard/risk category
• Specify personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements for each piece of equipment

Findings

• Coordination problems
• Inadequate interrupting ratings
• Potentially dangerous arc flash energy
• Offer opportunities to reduce hazard/risk category levels

Benefits

• Determine policies on electrically safe work conditions
• Develop an energized equipment work permit program
• Establish PPE requirements inside shock and flash hazard boundaries
• Determine PPE clothing policy

Recommendations and Solutions

• Create warning labels, including incident energy, hazard/risk category, boundaries, and PPE
• Apply warning labels to specified equipment

Training

• Create a training program to teach safe electrical work practices.
• Train all qualified employees, supervisors, and safety personnel focused on electrical hazard recognition and avoidance
• Train employees who could become exposed to electrical hazards, such as operators, mechanics, non-electrical maintenance personnel and their management team, teaching them to recognize, avoid, and notify management of electrical hazards
• Develop a program for identification and correction of potential electrical hazards