1. Techtric Enginering Ltd.
Arc Flash
Safety & Awareness
Presentation.
Techtric Engineering Ltd. Tel

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What Is An Arc Flash?

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An Arc Flash (or Arc Blast) is an explosion caused by the release of energy generated by an electric arc.

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Causes of Arc Flash Include:
Dust, water, impurities, contamination, corrosion, animals.
Discharge from accidental contact, dropped or improper tools.
Over-voltages across narrow gaps.
Failure of insulating materials.
Loose connections.
Equipment failure.
An employee working near energized conductors or circuits without appropriate P.P.E..
Workers assume that electrical equipment is de-energized.

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An Arc Flash causes an explosive expansion of air and metal:
The thermal temperature can reach more than 5000 degrees.
Energy is dissipated in the form of a blinding flash of light and a deafening noise.
Copper vaporizes and expands by a factor of 67,000.
The explosion generates a massive amount of concentrated energy which is forced outward from the electrical equipment producing a potentially lethal spray of molten steel and shrapnel.

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The consequences of an Arc Flash can include:
Electric shock.
Severe burns.
Blindness.
Deafness.
Shrapnel wounds.
Lung blast injuries.
Death.

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The probability of surviving burns:

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The flash of light is so intense that it can temporarily or permanently damage vision.

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Blast Lung Injury (B.L.I.)
Arc Flash can cause inhalation injuries by inhaling high temperature copper vapour.
There are more than 100 toxic substances found in Arc Flash blast fumes.
A combination of Blast Lung Injuries and burns greatly reduces the survival rate.

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Hearing Effects.
Arc blast at 2 feet 145 decibels
Jet engine at 200 feet 132 decibels
Pain threshold 130 decibels

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Pressure Wave Injuries.
An Arc Flash can:
Throw a worker off a ladder.
Throw a worker into nearby walls and equipment.
2000lbs per square foot of pressure on the body can cause:
Concussion.
Collapsed lungs.
Severe internal injuries.

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Effects on the business:
In addition to the personal injury caused by an Arc Flash, serious damage will also be caused to the electrical equipment. This could ultimately lead to serious disruption to electrical systems in manufacturing and process industries.
The cost of this downtime is considerable and the potential effect on employees, customers and suppliers can be devastating.
Should any subsequent enquiry identify poor maintenance or negligence as a cause, fines, imprisonment or business closure could be a result.

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Canadian Standards Association -Standard Z-462
US National Fire Protection Association -Standard NFPA 70E
Canadian Electrical Code -Rule 2-306
Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers -Standard 1584
Occupational Health & Safety Act -Applicable regulations

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NFPA 70E
NFPA70E is the U.S. National Fire Protection Association “Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace”
It is Harmonized with the Canadian CSA Z462.

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CSA Standard Z462
The Standard for Workplace Electrical Safety in Canada.

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CSA Standard Z462 Covers:
Electrical Safety Program.
Arc Flash Hazard Analysis
Flash Protection Boundaries.
Fault Current Calculations.
Arc Fault Clearing Times.
Incident Energy Exposure.
Required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

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Canadian Electrical Code CEC Rule states:
“Electrical equipment such as switchboards, panelboards, industrial control panels, meter socket enclosures and motor control centres that are installed in other than dwelling units and are likely to require examination, adjustment, servicing or maintenance while energized shall be field marked to warn persons of potential electric shock and arc flash hazards.”
“The marking referred to in subrule (1) shall be located so as to be clearly visible to persons before examination, adjustment, servicing or maintenance of the equipment.”

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Bill C-45
Bill C-45 is federal legislation that amends the Canadian Criminal Code. Bill C-45 became law on March 31, 2004 and is now the new Section in the Criminal Code which reads:
"217.1 Every one who undertakes, or has the authority, to direct how another person does work or performs a task is under a legal duty to take reasonable steps to prevent bodily harm to that person, or any other person, arising from that work or task."
The bill established new legal duties for workplace health and safety, and imposes serious penalties for violations that result in injuries or death. It also establishes rules for attributing criminal liability to organizations, including corporations, for the acts of their representatives and also creates a legal duty for all persons directing work to take "reasonable steps" to ensure the safety of workers and the public.

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Accepted Warning Labels

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Arc Flash and Shock Hazard calculations are performed by Techtric Engineering Ltd to identify the maximum expected incident energy if an Arc Fault were to occur. To perform these calculations, it is necessary to understand the manner and method in which a system is grounded.

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The potential short circuit levels throughout the system need to be known and a complete set of protective device settings are required. Given this information, our engineers perform a series of calculations, looking at different operating conditions, loading levels, and generation levels. Worst case results are compiled.

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From these results incident energy levels are categorized and documented for the entire three-phase electrical system. Labeling is installed, notifying all site staff and contractors regarding the potential hazards they might face when working at or near the electrical system.

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Hazard Risk Category Levels.
CSA Z462 has identified five hazardous risk category levels, which are numbered by severity from 0 to 4. Hazard Risk Category is the level of arc flash protection clothing you must wear to protect against a minimum level of incident energy measured in calories per centimeter squared. Meaning, electrical equipment, depending upon the energy delivering capability, under fault conditions can cause an explosion, or arc fault of a certain level, again measured in calories per centimeter squared. That explosion can deliver a certain amount of heat to a certain distance. Each level, 0-4, is rated at a certain amount of flame resistance, again measured in cal/cm2.

25.  1 2 3 4 Personal Protective Equipment (P.P.E.) Requirements.
Hazard/Risk Category
Eye protection, ear canal inserts, long sleeve shirt and pants
Arc rated clothing
Face & Head Protection
Flash Suit Hood  1 2 3 4

26. Required Minimum Clothing Arc Rating
Hazard/Risk Category
Clothing Description
Required Minimum Clothing Arc Rating
Non-melting, flammable material with fabric weight of at least 4.5 oz/yd2
Not applicable 1
Arc-rated FR shirt + FR pants or FR coveralls
4 calories/cm² 2
8 calories/cm² 3
Arc-rated FR shirt + FR pants or FR coveralls, and Arc-rated flash suit, the layered system must meet the required minimum rating.
25 calories/cm² 4
40 calories/cm²

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Hazard Risk Category 0
Hazard Risk Category 1
Hazard Risk Category 2
Hazard Risk Category 3
Hazard Risk Category 4

28. Arc rating of the garment.
Limit the ‘Incident Energy’ level of the
arc flash to 1.2 cal/cm² against the
worker’s chest.
Look for a label that states:
1506 approval (ASTM F1506)
Arc rating of the garment.
All materials in the garment
should be FR Rated:
Thread
Buttons
Insulation
Zippers, etc.

29. What Is A Calorie?
A calorie is the amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of one gram of water by 1°C.
Thermal energy is measured in calories/cm².
1.2 calories/cm² = Holding your finger in the blue part of the flame for one second.

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Tasks with Potential for Arc Flash
(Working With Energized Equipment & According to Equipment Rating.)
Operating a Switch or Circuit Breaker.
Inserting or Removing a Circuit Breaker.
Opening an Enclosure Door.
Removing a Cover (Hinged or Bolted)
Testing for Voltage.

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Arc Flash Hazard Analysis.
If work must be carried out ON or NEAR energized electrical equipment, the potential for Arc Flash must be identified.
Conduct a Flash Hazard Analysis to determine:
The Flash Protection Boundary.
The Incident Energy Exposure.
The Type and Arc Rating of P.P.E.

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As A Part of the Arc Flash Analysis, Techtric Engineering Ltd Will Determine Appropriate Approach Boundaries.
Limited Approach - Employees must use insulated tools and/or handling equipment inside the Limited Approach Boundary if tools might make accidental contact to live parts. Unqualified workers may not cross the Limited Approach Boundary unless escorted by a qualified worker.

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Restricted Approach Boundary - No Authorized Worker can approach or take conductive objects closer to exposed live parts unless:
The person is insulated or guarded from the live parts and no un-insulated parts of the body cross the Prohibited Approach Boundary
The live part is insulated from the worker and from other conductive objects at a different potential
Under no circumstances may an unauthorized person cross the Restricted Approach Boundary.
Approach Boundaries

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Approach Boundaries
Prohibited Approach Boundary - An approach limit from an energized live part, which is considered the same as making contact with the live part and varies from direct contact to several feet depending on the voltage

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Approach Boundaries.

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Summary.
Make Electrical Safety a part of your Occupational Health & Safety Management Program.
Carry out regular Equipment Maintenance and label equipment that poses an Arc Flash Hazard.
Develop Single Line Diagrams for accuracy and Available Fault Current.
Provide Training.
Conduct Periodic Electrical Safety Audits.