Arc Flash Safety:

Arc flash is the result of a rapid release of energy due to an arcing fault. It is different from the

arc blast, it is just a part of the arc fault. The conductor of an arc fault is air. An arc fault is

similar to the arc obtained during electric welding and it occurs due to the failure such as a

breakdown in insulation. Arc flash safety is used to provide safety so that it decreases the

probability of the occurrence of these arcs.

Causes of arc flash:

Impurities on the surface of conductor.

Failure due to improper installation and the use of the substandard parts.

Due to the improper insulation and gap between the insulation.

Arc flash safety process can be conducted by performing the following steps:

Find the hazardous arc flash if it exists in the equipment.

Apply the methods to remove or eliminate the arc flash to provide arc flash safety.

Find out the safe working distance from the equipment where an arc flash hazard exists

frequently.

Put the labels of shock warning on the electrical equipment in which arc flash occur

frequently.

To ensure the arc flash safety, it is essential to identify arc flash hazards in the equipments you

are availing. Arc flash labeling is the most important task that should be addresses by the

employer of an organization. It includes the labeling of electrical equipments such as industrial

control boards, switchboards, meter control centers. These labels should have relevant

information to keep employees safe, including arc flash boundary and personal protective

equipment information.

There are various mistakes of an arc flash program:

Not to implement the program because of the high cost of implementation. The small

investment on the implementation of the electrical equipments can save the lives of the

workers from the arc flash

The use of arc flash clothing without the proper reference. The arc flash clothing is

required for the coverage of the electric equipment but purchase clothing without proper

guidance prior to an arc flash analysis can be dangerous and expensive.

The use of cheap insulated material. Due to the use of wrong insulated material, it is more

likely the short circuits or arc flash to happen.

To provide the arc flash safety in proper manner, the workers should be well trained and well

qualified about their processes. They should have full knowledge about the arc flash process.