WHAT IS AN ARC FLASH STUDY

You are aware that you require a power study and a label (or sticker), but you are unsure of the purpose or what to anticipate. This ambiguous requirement may appear to have wrecked your project plans, but we’re here to help and we pledge to do the task as swiftly, thoroughly, and affordably as we can.

In order for you to understand the arc flash study, why you need one, and what the results will be for any new construction or renovation project, we’ve taken a difficult procedure and made it simple.

A qualified electrical engineer does an arc flash analysis to assess the risks posed by an electrical distribution system and to inform employees of potential dangers at work. An arc flash analysis identifies the risks and possible dangers inherent in electrical systems and assesses the electrical safety of a working facility.

What results from the arc flash research might you anticipate?

Frequently, we hear things like:
What is a label for an arc flash?
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I want an arc flash sticker; how can I obtain one?
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“What PPE guidelines are there for my site?
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“What makes an arc flash study necessary?
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“What can I learn from an arc flash study?
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Arc flash studies are intricate investigations that yield two straightforward deliverables: an arc flash label (also known as an arc flash sticker) and a thorough report.

Arc flash labels are intended to alert employees to potential dangers and offer guidance on the Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) that is needed in the area. A label will be placed on each area of concern in a facility. The findings of the arc flash research directly influence the information on each label.

Although while this is what many people consider the study’s end product, there is obviously much more to it than simply an arc flash label. Our thorough power assessments include precise equipment labeling for arc flash, fault current analysis, evaluation of protective device coordination, PPE recommendations, and ideas to increase system safety and protection.

Results of the Arc Flash Study include:

Critical information about arc flash and shock hazards is provided on arc flash labels.
PPE guidelines to ensure staff safety
To confirm that all equipment is rated appropriately for the installation, do a short circuit analysis.
To make sure there are no code violations, to certify that all electrical equipment is suitably protected, and to optimize overcurrent settings in order to reduce the possibility of significant power outages

identifying possible risks to increase system protection & safety
Label for arc flash
PPE Guidance
Arc Flare Analyses for New Construction & Existing Projects

Before the first start-up of every new building project, an arc flash study should be planned.

If everything goes according to plan, there should be plenty of time to finish the research before the system is turned on. It might be exceedingly dangerous to turn on new equipment before the arc flash labels have been put in. Requirements for PPE and employee safety shouldn’t be thought of in retrospect. By include an arc flash analysis at the outset of your project, you may ensure that there are no unanticipated shutdowns, expensive equipment failures, or staff casualties.

We’ve had thousands of arc flash investigations done by our engineers. In order to have your facility up and running as soon as possible, we take pleasure in our speedy quote and turnaround times.

Existing Facility Arc Flash Studies – Change is Continuous
Electrical systems are evolving constantly:

It’s possible that your facility now has new equipment.
Or perhaps the utility altered the transformers that are connected to your facility.

Or perhaps the nearby substation has changed

Any of these adjustments will directly affect the arc flash dangers at your site, necessitating an arc flash study to address the changes.

The NFPA-70E Standard mandates that an arc flash study be revised every five years at the very least, even in the exceptional situation when nothing has changed over time. You’re overdue for a study if your facility hasn’t had one in that time range. Our objective is to complete the study as soon and affordably as we can. We pride ourselves on being able to deliver these intricate research swiftly since we are aware of how limited time is.

Data gathering, a short circuit study, a coordination study, and ultimately the actual arc flash evaluation make up the arc flash study in an existing facility’s many phases.

First Phase: Data Gathering

For an accurate arc flash investigation, accurate data gathering is essential. Our engineers can lessen assumptions regarding onsite circumstances by compiling all the pertinent data. The engineer may give precise research estimates and helpful site recommendations by concentrating on gathering pertinent data. You care about this because you get PPE suggestions that keep your staff safe.

Short Circuit Investigation in Phase 2

An examination of an electrical system to ascertain the size of the currents flowing during an electrical defect is known as a short-circuit investigation. Another technique to make sure your equipment doesn’t fail disastrously is to compare these computed values to the equipment ratings.

Phase 3: Investigation of Coordination

In order to minimize power outages and guarantee electrical equipment is adequately safeguarded, a coordination study makes sure that your electrical equipment is correctly coordinating so that downstream breakers trip first in the case of an incident.

Arc Flash Research, Phase 4

Study in compliance with IEEE Standard 1584 that is linked with the NFPA-70E Standard
Correct arc flash labels and stickers that include vital information about arc flash and shock hazards

PPE suggestions to guarantee staff comfort and safety

synchronization of protective devices to reduce power outages and equipment failures

Identification of potential risks to increase system safety and protection

Arc flash incident energy, arc flash border lengths, trip durations, arcing fault values, and fault current analysis are among the calculations included in the study.

What are research on short circuits and coordination?

You may be asking why we are discussing coordination and short circuit studies when all you really need is an arc flash study and arc flash labels. A short circuit study and a coordination study are both included in an arc flash investigation for an existing facility. Consider these to be stages of the actual arc flash investigation.

We may build a model of the relevant electrical distribution system using a short circuit analysis. In a power system, that model emphasizes sources of fault current and system impedances. This knowledge is then applied to make sure that electrical equipment is appropriately rated for the fault current it could encounter in the event of a short circuit. The concept is essentially created to guard against potential catastrophic equipment failure or short circuit safety hazards.

It’s all in the name when it comes to the coordination study; it makes sure that your electrical equipment is correctly coordinating, as the name suggests. In order for all electrical systems to operate as intended and for protection mechanisms to trip in the proper order in the event of an electrical fault or overload, the study must be successful. The ultimate aim is to prevent expensive system failures while protecting on-site employees and equipment. The mandatory compliance criteria mandated by the NEC include coordination studies.

What makes an arc flash study necessary?

For legal compliance and for the safety of your facilities and staff, you must conduct an arc flash study. Workers must wear a minimal amount of personal protective equipment (PPE) while they are close to exposed, electrified equipment, according to arc flash research.

To put it simply, you need the research to make sure that this doesn’t happen. The study is completed to assure worker and equipment safety and to meet OSHA requirements.