The last thing you want to occur on your facility is an electrical incident – especially an arc flash – so how prepared are you to prevent any from occurring? No one wants the dangers of arc flashes to cause an electrical outage or significant personnel injury. It is critical to refresh your knowledge of electrical engineering to have a safe and up-to-code workplace. Here are five helpful techniques to ensure that you prevent arc flash incidents from occurring in your workplace.
To prevent arc flash incidents, several techniques can be implemented:
1. Conduct Regular Risk Assessments
Regular and thorough risk assessments are crucial. This involves data collection, power systems modeling, short circuit analysis, protective device coordination, and arc flash calculations. A licensed engineer should prepare and certify a comprehensive Arc Flash Hazard Analysis Report. [1]
2. Clearly Label All Equipment
After assessments, equipment should be clearly labeled with danger or warning headers, incident energy levels, arc flash boundaries, and required personal protective equipment (PPE). These labels help workers understand the risks and necessary precautions [1].
3. Reduce Available Fault Current
Implement strategies to reduce fault currents, such as high-resistance grounding systems or current-limiting reactors. This can decrease the energy released during an arc flash. An Arc Flash Hazard Analysis provided by Elliot Engineering (EEI) will provide a report containing mitigation recommendations. EEI can provide the service and make the necessary modifications to improve the safety of your operation [1].
4. Offer Adequate Training
Only qualified workers should operate electrical equipment. Training should cover hazard recognition, distinguishing energized parts, understanding voltage levels, and emergency procedures. Regular continuing education is essential to keep up with safety protocols.
EEI will provide Arc Flash Training. The training will be conducted by a qualified Professional Engineer who performs arc flash studies regularly. Topics covered in the training session will include NFPA‐70E and IEEE 1584 study methodology, evaluating arc flash requirements, and PPE selection. You should also review the specific details of your facility’s recently completed arc flash hazard analysis. Each attendee will receive training materials and certification of attendance.
5. Wear Proper PPE
Use flame-resistant and arc-resistant clothing to protect against high temperatures. PPE should be selected based on the arc rating to ensure it provides adequate protection against potential arc flash incidents [1][3].
With the help of these techniques, your facility will be safe and secure against the threat of arc flash incidents. Your friends at Elliot Engineering specialize in power system construction consulting and want to ensure that your power distribution system is as safe as it is today. We specialize in power system construction consulting and want to ensure that your power distribution system is as safe as today find out how we can ensure your NERC compliance and provide arc flash analysis services for your business. Contact Us
Sources
[1] Arc flash best practices and tips – Van Meter Inc. https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.vanmeterinc.com%2fblog%2farc-flash-best-practices-and-tips&c=E,1,8QLPv53C0AUnkZsPb1Zxlpj0d8dhYVF_-e-nSDmkbE3g1B6AYei6ys2GDXqe9kQnwUGaIIYf3QgKn_cpOzvol8IZeqOz45_HzMiQ_3Bdm52qjy17&typo=1
[2] First Aid for Arc Flash: What Triggers It, Ways to Prevent It & First Aid … https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.onlinecprcertification.net%2fblog%2ffirst-aid-for-arc-flash-what-triggers-it-ways-to-prevent-it-first-aid-tips%2f&c=E,1,VrajRpbUT8OmUthXBO1t7Yeg_7Rg4OgRvD9yc-XZKhy9OYB3KJpbuyztmGt4K7OlyAPnq35br8FkumXHN0FrUP0ao_6nJfl87_4_6-TbMjJEcr7TOQ,,&typo=1
[3] Arc Flash: What It Is, Why It Happens, and How To Prevent It https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2felecsafety.co.uk%2fwhat-is-arc-flash%2f&c=E,1,gCN-9bS16tcvvhXCO3YTj6UOC9InKe6NxD8DGTOpeKd5XV9Df6CzDLhbh_LZ0T_SMvYYKytWKJeGqkjnvFCkc6y4VdRhyL7ecrtDrqBlae58S8dXD1Dc3yZwjg,,&typo=1
[4] Understanding Arc Flash Hazards: Prevention and Protection … https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fblog.airlinehyd.com%2funderstanding-arc-flash-hazards-prevention-and-protection-strategies&c=E,1,qSTvkernw1RIbhy5Gh7PTS945r43DchPYnyvQVEXn-KCbePPEABG9oFxOTV0MAGTBPkW7UECUY92mPCkjSxn0CWwBOz_93h0jxrux04HYLXnmw,,&typo=1
[5] What is an arc flash and four strategies to prevent it – Schneider … https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fblog.se.com%2fsustainability%2f2022%2f05%2f31%2ffour-strategies-to-prevent-arc-flash-events%2f&c=E,1,l58IoS5RUKFO2DEXUhZFIdhSsbk-vc96-vvg8Qm241klBft4CYrB3v1rht7nyHOcU4xtVj6q3bNcYBqzieYdY1Orq4CIfxCUAWwV9l1PJRXB7dvqCUcILac,&typo=1
[6] Preventing arc flash hazards – Health & Safety International https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.healthandsafetyinternational.com%2farticle%2f1843977%2fpreventing-arc-flash-hazards&c=E,1,bDCCfdqu8y4SIwkA3xtIJH3l8O3GwOi-z3F8ofPaWuFr3Wv-ZPN1faJsWht4tPXemI4PWppJXmTZkjUmX0Qu08eZFCe9QbT63ihr01yxXIwZHw,,&typo=1
[7] How To Avoid Arc Flash: 7 Steps To Avoiding Electrical Hazards https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2finsights.am-ind.com%2fhow-to-avoid-arc-flash-7-steps-to-avoiding-electrical-hazards&c=E,1,1HIO360SOS5ggX2KVCK8TFtqma6_Ff3725oyc4LU6VavXIDL25qtMcMKJpoHzsWVtzlGbjvezzcI700WEo1sL91C-p3A9ILhWj6DHS_wiJeztQcMJQ,,&typo=1
[8] Reducing Arc Flash Hazards | TÜV SÜD – TUV Sud https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.tuvsud.com%2fen-us%2fresource-centre%2fblogs%2frisk-engineering%2freducing-arc-flash-hazards&c=E,1,nzP26I5pDEKbskWy3nWDc51SDlCiqKqE4Ec7Kpc7qgJ55eg64bpcLoPkAhkjimbAcdOwf_AWcF1RXYTn0FOaPu6pKBMGaaNXFEVsZeSS5CSoMCr_QySu5M_exv2f&typo=1