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ArcFlash Hazard Analysis Is Required

NFPA 70E 110.8(B)(1) requires that an electrical hazard analysis be performed to ensure that workers are properly protected whenever they work on or near equipment that is not in an "electrically safe condition". This includes work required to de-energize the equipment.


According to NFPA 70E Section 130.3, the goal of arc flash hazard analysis is to identify:

The arc flash-protection boundary, defined in Article 130.3(A) as "an approach limit at a distance from exposed live parts within which a person could receive a second degree burn if an electrical arc flash were to occur."
  • The proper personal protective equipment (PPE) and protective clothing necessary, based on the incident energy present at the working distance for the task to be performed, as described in Article 130.3(B) and Article 130.7.
  • Appropriate safety-related work practices.
Performing an electrical hazard analysis provides you an additional benefit-an in-depth look at your plant's electrical system. Such an analysis gives you data you can use to improve overall system performance, reduce downtime and manage costs.


Considerations for determining if you need an Arc Flash Study:


  • Arc Flash study has not been performed in the past three years
  • Short-circuit, protective coordination studies have not been performed in the past five years
  • Changes have occurred to electrical distribution system or electric utility system
  • Safety audit is being required
  • Facility insurance policy is up for renewal
  • Modifications or expansions of electrical distribution system are being considered

Working within NFPA and IEEE guidelines, our experienced engineers will perform systematic and accurate ArcFlash Hazard Studies as follows:


1. Short Circuit Calculations:
We will either use your data, or make calculations for you, to identify bolted and arcing fault levels at key points in a power distribution system.

2. Protective Device Coordination:
Using the customer’s electrical systems coordination study, we determine the duration of the arcing faults. If you do not have an up-to-date study or single-line diagrams, we can provide one for you as an option.

3. ArcFlash Hazard Calculations
The incident energy level, the flash hazard boundary, and the PPE required are then calculated for each location.

4. Documentation:
The data and calculations are compiled for you into a comprehensive report, which contains information necessary to comply with regulatory requirements.

5. Unsafe Work Locations:
The report identifies work locations having incident energy levels in excess of available PPE ratings.

6. ArcFlash Hazard Mitigation:
Recommendations will be made to minimize Arc Flash Hazards through changes in system protection or operational procedures.

7. ArcFlash Hazard Labels
In addition to the report, our customers will receive a field label containing the flash hazard boundary distance, incident energy level, PPE category and shock hazard for each location.


Implementing recommendations from an Arc Flash Hazard Study can bring you the following benefits:


  • Improve employee safety
  • Improve your electrical system
  • Provide safety information to subcontractors
  • Assist in compliance with regulations
  • Provide you with documentation that may bring about reductions in workers compensation and insurance rates


Palmetto Engineering Approach:

The greatest single effort in performing an arc-flash study is in the data collection phase. For a system with up to date single line diagrams, data collection can take from 25-40 percent of the study effort. The main difference between an arc-hazard assessment and other studies is that you may need to model the system in more detail, increasing the data collection time and study effort. If the equipment has the potential to be worked on energized, it should be assessed. This includes branch circuits in data centers, panels and switchboards being served by smaller (<500kVA) transformers at 480 volts. Panels and switchboards rated 240 volts or less can be ignored if the service transformer is less than 125kVA.
It is this increase in data collection timing that Palmetto has addressed with field data collection options. Please contact a Palmetto Engineering Representative for questions about ArcFlash.