We have extensive experience conducting arc flash hazard assessment studies. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA70E) has adopted safety standards for working on or near energized electrical equipment, and these studies provide valuable information for our clients to help establish appropriate safety measures that should be taken when working on energized electrical equipment. Calculations are performed to determine the potential incident energy that could be available to a worker during an arc flash and establish which protective clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE) to use. After interpreting the results, we identify any modifications that need to be made to the system, and to meet NFPA70, arc flash warning labels are placed on each piece of electrical equipment.

ARC FLASH HAZARD STUDY APPROACH

  • Review existing Electrical One Line Diagrams and power distribution system equipment arrangement.
  • Obtain system design information from engineering design drawings and gather equipment, cable sizes and types, equipment sizes and ratings, and utility service data, through field observation as well as through owner inquiries.
  • Model the system in the power analysis software, SKM. This step includes data entry and validation.
  • Perform calculations, analyze results and determine recommendations.
  • After the calculations have been completed, an arc flash study report is produced including the following information:
    • Short Circuit Analysis with general procedures taken, data utilized, along with results and recommendations
    • Over-current Device Time-current coordination analysis with procedures taken along with results and recommendations
    • Arc Flash Hazard analysis with procedures taken along with results and recommendations and arc flash warning labels to be placed on equipment.
    • System Study One-Line Diagram

ARC FLASH HAZARD STUDY EXPERIENCE