Arc Flash Analysis: Improve Workplace Safety & Performance

An energy explosion that results from an electrical arc connected to ground or any other voltage phase in an electric system is called arc flash. This can be caused due to many factors or things that may include corrosion, accidental contact with electrical systems, dropped tools, build up of conductive dust, and improper work procedures.

As per expert research, it can produce hottest temperatures up to 35,000 degrees on the earth.  No wonder, the risk of fatal injuries is higher with its occurrence. Flash hazards have been recognized as dangerous and occur frequently, putting the lives and health of workers engaged in electrical jobs at significant risk. Based on hospitalization records, statistics indicate that around 5-10 arc accidents involve a serious injury every single day in the United States to an employee.

Generally, these accidents types occur when any employee is required to work on electrical equipment. To avoid this, every country and state has been putting lot of efforts to reduce these incidents. In fact, a large number of organizations are now more willing and inclined to conduct arc flash analysis to ensure employee electrical safety during the course of job in a workplace.

The Flash Analysis Working

*    Data Collection: Accurate and up-to-date information about electrical system is gathered as it is vital for analysis. The data includes:
*    Transformer Data - KVA, Voltages, Impedance
*    Fuse and Circuit Breaker Data
*    Conductor Sizes and Lengths
*    Electric Utility

*    Engineering Analysis: The power system is evaluated using IEEE 1584 and NFPA 70E.

*    Short-Circuit Analysis: It is required for coordination analysis, interrupting rating analysis, and arc flash analysis.  

It is very clear that the fundamental requirements need to have a safe electrical working environment to place electrically safe equipments in the work place. The analysis on arc helps to include the equipments that have been verified to be safe electrically, meaning they won’t cause any danger.

Since, the accidents resulting from arc flash lead to devastating consequences wherein the workers and their families are involved, so it has become extremely important to conduct an analysis to ensure safety program to avoid any accident in the workplace.

Basically, a flash-hazard analysis comprises of studies of three electrical systems. They include:

*    Short circuit study
*    Protective device time-current coordination study
*    The flash-hazard analysis study

The analysis is really important as it provides a detailed assessment of the electric system or help in evaluating the energy released during an arcing fault within the electrical equipment.

But, the flash hazard analysis must be executed accurately else it may worse than none at all. If you want to increase the safety of your work environment, then a flash hazard analysis would make a best choice to protect your employees and your business.

Crucial for personnel safety in any kind of industrial manufacturing unit, it must be undertaken with complete care and diligence. You may easily find many qualified professionals to do the task for you, but you must have thorough understanding of what you will be getting on your effort to create a complete secure electrical work environment from the company you are investing in to implement the safety program for your organization.