What is an Arc Flash?

An Arc Flash is any event in your electrical system that generates an unwanted and unexpected release of energy. It can cause temperatures of upto 19,500°C (the sun’s surface is 5500°C) and lead to release of metal shrapnel, vapourised conductors, enclosure metal and poisonous nitrogen dioxide gas. Critically, Arc Flash accidents typically happen while equipment is being worked on or “live”.

This short video shows the devastating effects of an Arc Flash incident in a switch room:

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Arc Flash Safety Hazard and the Law

Ireland

• The Safety, Healthy and Welfare at Work Act 2005 makes the employer responsible for providing a safe work place and for carrying out proper risk assessments related to all hazards in the workplace. Electrical Hazards are listed in the act as being one of the hazards that the employer needs to safeguard against.

United Kingdom

• The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 makes the employer responsible for providing a safe work place and for carrying out proper risk assessments related to all hazards in the workplace.


• The Electricty at Work Regulations 1989 imposes specific conditions on workplace electrical safety.

United States of America

• The NFPA 70E defines the standards of electrical safety in the workplace. Data compiled by EFSI shows that Arc Flash is directly responsible for 2000 injuries in the workplace in the US.


• IEEE Std.1584™, IEEE Guide for Performing Arc Flash Hazard Calculations defines the practice for performing detailed arc flash calculations. This method has become the currently accepted industry practice used for calculating the prospective incident energy that could be available at a given location which can be used to determine the PPE requirements.

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