ARC FLASH

HAZARD
ANALYSIS
Jim Phillips, P.E.

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technical training group

1-800-874-8883

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www.brainfiller.com

Copyright 2005 Technical Training Group

What is an Arc Flash?

Current flowing through air
Produces temperatures
35,000 degrees F
Statistics show 2000
people a year admitted to
hospital for arc flash injury
IT CAN KILL YOU!

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NFPA 70E Annex K

General Categories of Electrical Hazards
Electric Shock
30,000 non-fatal shocks each year
1,000 fatalities per year
500 while servicing equipment < 600 Volts

Arc Flash
Burns - Number 1 electrical accident
2,000 people a year admitted to hospital for electrical burns
Arc flash can kill from farther away even at 10 feet

Arc Blast

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Copper expands 67,000 times when it goes from solid to vapor

Pressure can be 100s or 1000s of pounds per ft2
Sound can reach 160 db, Debris can travel at 700 MPH
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Electrical Safety
Human heart vulnerable to
frequencies of 50-60 Hz.
Grounding reduces /
eliminates voltage on
metal parts and shock
What about arcs and arc
flash? Work electrically
safe!!!
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OUCH !!!
#@*!%
ZAP !

Response to Current (60 Hz.)

(for typical person)

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1 mA
1-3 mA
10 mA
30 mA
75 mA
> 5A

Perception
Painful
Let go current
Breathing stops
Fibrillation
Tissue burning

Page 5

Human Body Typical Resistance

40 k - 1 M
1 - 3 k
500 - 1500
200 - 500
100 - 300
200 - 1000
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Finger contact (dry)

Hand around conducting
object (dry)
Hand around conducting
object (wet)
Hand in water
Foot in water
Human Body (wet)
(excluding skin)
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Electrical Safety
Human Body and Shock

Current
120 Volt
Source

120 Volts / 1000 Ohms = 0.120 Amps (120 mA)

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1000 Ohms
Human Body

Electrical Safety
Current Duration

(IB)2 ts = SB
IB = rms current through body
ts = exposure time in seconds
SB = constant related to tolerable energy
SB = .0135 for 110 lbs. from Dalziel - 99.5%
survival rate.
Heart is more susceptible to fibrillation the longer
the exposure.

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Arc Flash / Blast

Arc Blast
Large current arcing through air
Temperature nears 35,000 F.

Thermal Radiation
Impact depends on clothing,
area exposed, use PPE!

Pressure Wave
Force from blast. Research
25kA @ 2 ft = 480 pounds

Projectiles/Debris
Molten metal, debris
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Electric Arc Injuries

Pressure / Blast - Debris and concussions
throw people off ladder or against wall
Light - can injure eyes (blindness) and does
contain UV that can burn
Heat - sever burns often result from molten
metal, radiation and heat of blast
Damage from sound pressure eardrum
rupture
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Electric Arc Burns

First degree - affects out layer of skin, painful
not usually permanent or life threatening
Second degree - tissue damage, blistering.
Outer skin layer is destroyed
Third degree - complete destruction of skin.
Small areas may recover, large areas need
skin grafting

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1.2 Calories per Centimeter2

1.2 Calories per square centimeter

is the threshold of a second degree
burn.
Arc Flash protection is to limit the
injury to no more than the just
curable 2nd degree burn.
You can still be burned by abiding
by the rules!!!

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Dont Become an OSHA Statistic

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Major Standards Used for Arc Flash

Analysis and Protection of Workers
OSHA 1910 and OSHA 1926
NFPA 70-2005 - National Electrical Code
NFPA 70E - Standard for Electrical Safety in
the Workplace
IEEE Std. 1584TM 2002 - Guide for
Performing Arc Flash Hazard Calculations

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Occupational Safety and Health

Administration (OSHA)
Created by Congress - 1970 to create, review
and redefine standards.
Occupational Safety and Health Act
In 1970

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14,000 job related deaths per year

2.5 million people were disabled by injury
Covers ALL employees except self employed and family farms
States can have capability of developing their laws

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OSHA - Jurisdiction
OSHA applies to employees in all 50 states.
Three exceptions
Self employed people
Farms - immediate farm family employees
Where regulated by other federal agencies or statutes

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Occupational Safety and Health

Administration
You Have a Right to a Safe
and Healthful Workplace.

ITS THE
LAW!
You have the right to notify your employer
or OSHA about workplace hazards. You
may ask OSHA to keep your name
confidential.
You have the right to request an OSHA
inspection if you believe that there are
unsafe and unhealthful conditions in your
workplace.

Is OSHA
Enforceable?
How is it enforced?
What does OSHA say
about electrical safety

You can file a complaint with OSHA within

30 days of discrimination by your employer
for making safety and health complaints or
for exercising your rights under the OSH
Act.
You have the right to
Check OSHA for exact poster
requirements

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OSHA Electrical Safety Standards

1910 General Industry Subpart S
Organized into four key sections:
1. Design Safety Standards
2. Safety Related Work Practices
3. Safety Related Maintenance Requirements
(future)
4. Safety Requirements for Special Equipment
(future)

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Occupational Safety and Health Standard

General Industry
Part 1910 OSHA, Subpart S - Electrical
1910 Subpart S - Electrical

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1910.301

Introduction

1910.302

Electric utilization systems

1910.303

General requirements

1910.304

Wiring design and protection

1910.305

Wiring methods, components, and equipment for general use

1910.306

Specific purpose equipment and installations

1910.307

Hazardous (classified) locations

1910.308

Special systems

1910.332

Training

1910.333

Selection and use of work practices

1910.334

Use of equipment

1910.335

Safeguards for personnel protection

1910.399

Definitions applicable to this subpart

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OSHA Electrical Safety Standards

1926 Construction Industry Subpart K
Organized into four key sections:
1. Installation safety requirements
2. Safety related work practices
3. Safety related maintenance practices and
environmental considerations
4. Safety requirements for special equipment

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Safety and Health Regulations for

Construction
Part 1926 OSHA, Subpart K - Electrical
1926 Subpart K - Electrical

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1926.400

Introduction

1926.402

Applicability

1926.403

General Requirements

1926.404

Wiring design and protection

1926.405

Wiring methods, components, and equipment for general use

1926.406

Specific purpose equipment and installations

1926.407

Hazardous (classified) locations

1926.408

Special systems

1926.416

General Requirements

1926.417

Lockout and tagging of circuits

1926.431

Maintenance of equipment

1926.432

Environmental deterioration of equipment

1926.441

Batteries and battery charging

1926.449

Definitions applicable to this subpart

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OSHA General Duty Clause

each employer shall furnish to each of his
employees employment and a place of
employment which are free from recognized
hazards that are causing or are likely to
cause death or serious physical harm to
employees
Recognized hazards links NFPA 70E to
OSHA

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OSHA 1910.269
Electric Power Generation, Transmission
and Distribution
Covers operation and maintenance of electric
power generation, control transformation,
transmission, and distribution lines and
equipment.
Applies to electrical installations, electrical safetyrelated work practices, or electrical maintenance
considerations covered by Subpart S.
Work practices conforming to 1910.332 through
1910.335 are considered complying with
requirements.
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OSHA 1910.335
(a)(1)(i) Employees working in areas where
there are potential electrical hazards shall be
provided with, and shall use, electrical
protective equipment that is appropriate for
the specific parts of the body to be protected
and for the work to be performed.

What are the details for selecting PPE?

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OSHA 1910.2(g)
National Consensus Standards
A standard that has been adopted by a
nationally recognized standards producing
organization
Developed and approved with the input of a
broad cross section of people affected by the
standard

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NFPA 70

OSHA

ASTM

NFPA 70E

How Do all of The Various Standards Fit the

Arc Flash Puzzle?

ANSI
IEEE-1584

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National Fire Protection Association

NFPA
Founded in 1896 to protect the
people and property through
development of many standards
Publishes NFPA 70 The National
Electrical Code and NFPA 70E
Standard for Electrical Safety in
the Workplace
Standards promote safer design
and work practices
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Standard for Electrical Safety in the

Workplace - NFPA 70E

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OSHA initially used NEC

NEC was mostly construction and installation
NEC does not directly address worker safety
OSHA requested NFPA to form new Standard
Created specifically for OSHA
NFPA 70E committee formed in 1976
NFPA 70E first published in 1979

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Organization of NFPA 70E

Chapter 1
Safety Related Work Practices

Chapter 2
Safety Related Maintenance Requirements

Chapter 3
Safety Requirements for Special Equipment

Chapter 4
Installation Safety Requirements
NFPA 70E chapter organization parallels OSHA Subpart S and K organization
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NFPA 70 NEC
National Electrical Code
Originated in 1897 only 7 years
after Pearl Street Station!
In 1911 NFPA became the sponsor
of the NEC
Much language is for construction
and installation
Many NEC safety articles are used
in NFPA 70E

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NFPA 70 NEC
110.16 National Electrical Code
Switchboards, panelboards,
industrial control panels, meter
socket enclosures, and motor
control centers in other than
dwelling occupancies and are
likely to require examination,
adjustment, servicing or
maintenance while energized shall
be FIELD MARKED to warn
qualified persons of potential
electric arc flash hazards.
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FPN No. 1 refers to NFPA

70E for assistance in
determining the severity of
exposure

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics

Engineers (IEEE)
Publishes technical standards
Split into many societies such as power,
computer, industrial
Founded in 1884 (before Pearl Street Station)
as American Institute of Electrical Engineers
IEEE 1584 Guide for Arc Flash Hazard
Analysis

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Qualified Persons
Based on NFPA 70E Definitions
Qualified Person
Trained and knowledgeable of the construction and
operation of equipment or a specific work method and be
trained to recognize and avoid the electrical hazards that
might be present with respect to that equipment or work
method.
Shall also be familiar with PPE including arc flash, insulating
and shielding materials, insulated tools, and test equipment.
Working within Limited Approach boundary can distinguish
energized parts, determine voltage, understand approach
distances

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110.8 (A) Working On or Near Electrical

Conductors or Circuit Parts
Safety related work practices shall be used to
safeguard employees from injury while they
are working on or near exposed electric
conductors and circuit parts that are or can
become energized

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110.8 (B) (1) Electrical Hazard Analysis

If live parts > 50 Volts are not placed in
electrically safe condition, safe work practices:
Shall be used to protect employee against ARC FLASH
Shall be used to protect employee against contact with LIVE
PARTS
Safe work practices will be defined BEFORE person
approaches exposed live parts in limited approach boundary

DANGER
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110.8 (B) (1) Electrical Hazard Analysis

(a) Shock Hazard Analysis Determines:
Voltage
Approach limits
PPE to minimize possibility of electric shock

(b) Flash Hazard Analysis Determines:

Flash protection boundary
PPE for people in the boundary

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120.1 Process of Achieving an Electrically

Safe Work Condition
Determine all sources, check UP TO
DATE one-line
Drop load and then open each service
Visually verify blades are open if possible
Lockout / Tag out
Use adequately rated voltage detector to
verify
Ground phases when induced voltage can
occur
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130.1 Justification for Work

Work it de-energized (electrically safe) unless
it can be demonstrated that de-energizing:
Introduces additional hazards or is not possible due to
equipment design
Increases hazards like life support , emergency alarm
system, hazardous location ventilation

Examples of not possible to de-energize:

Diagnostic testing, start up, trouble shooting
Continuous process

Need energized work permit for live work

Except for testing/troubleshooting if safe work practices used
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Energized Work Permit

E N ER GIZED ELECT R ICAL W OR K PER MIT

PART I:T O BE COMPLET ED BY T HE R EQUEST ER :

Job/ Work Order Number:

(1) Description of circuit/ equipment/ job location:

PP-1
(2) Description of work to be done:

(3) Justification of why the circuit/ equipment cannot be de-energized or the work deferred until the next scheduled outage:

Requester/ Title

Date

PART II: T O BE COMPLET ED BY T HE ELECT R ICALLY QUALIFIED PERSON S DOIN G T HE W ORK:

Check
When
Com plete
(1) Detailed job description procedure to be used in performing the above detailed work:

(2) Arc Flash study results and description of the safe work practices to be employed:
Flash Boundary
Shock Hazard

16 inch
480 VAC

Required PPE

Class 0

Flash Hazard
Limited Approach
Restricted Approach
Prohibited Approach
Untreated Cotton

0.97 cal/ cm^2

42 inch
12 inch
1 inch

Working Distance
Glove Class

18 inches
00

Shock and Flash hazard analysis

(3) Means employed to restrict the access of unqualified persons from the work area:

Can work be done safely? Would

you sign this?

(4) Evidence of completion of a Job Briefing including discussion of any job-related hazards:
(5) Do you agree the above described work can be done safely?

(If no, return to requester)

Electrically Qualified Person(s)

Date

Electrically Qualified Person(s)

Date

PART III: APPROVAL(S) T O PER FOR M T HE W ORK W H ILE ELECT R ICALLY

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Manufacturing Manager

Maintenance/ Engineering Manager

Safety Manager

Electrically Knowledgeable Person

General Manager

Date

Would you want your signature on

this form as granting approval?

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Energized Work Permit

EN E R GIZE D E LECT R ICAL W OR K P ER MIT

PART I:T O BE COMPLET ED BY T HE REQUEST ER:

Job/ Work Order Number:

(1) Description of circuit/ equipment/ job location:

PP-1
(2) Description of work to be done:

(3) Justification of why the circuit/ equipment cannot be de-energized or the work deferred until the next scheduled outage:

Requester/ Title

Date

PART II: T O BE COMPLET ED BY T HE ELECT RICALLY QUALIFIED PERSONS DOING T HE W ORK:

Check
When
Com plete
(1) Detailed job description procedure to be used in performing the above detailed work:

(2) Arc Flash study results and description of the safe work practices to be employed:

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Flash Boundary
Shock Hazard

16 inch
480 VAC

Required PPE

Class 0

Flash Hazard
Limited Approach
Restricted Approach
Prohibited Approach
Untreated Cotton

0.97 cal/ cm^2

42 inch
12 inch
1 inch

(3) Means employed to restrict the access of unqualified persons from

the work
Page
40 area:

Working Distance
Glove Class

18 inches
00

Energized Work Permit

Requester/ Title

Date

PART II: T O BE COMPLET ED BY T HE ELECT RICALLY QUALIFIED PERSONS DOING T HE W ORK:

(1) Detailed job description procedure to be used in performing the above detailed work:

(2) Arc Flash study results and description of the safe work practices to be employed:
Flash Boundary
Shock Hazard

16 inch
480 VAC

Required PPE

Class 0

Flash Hazard
Limited Approach
Restricted Approach
Prohibited Approach
Untreated Cotton

0.97 cal/ cm^2

42 inch
12 inch
1 inch

Working Distance
Glove Class

18 inches
00

(3) Means employed to restrict the access of unqualified persons from the work area:
(4) Evidence of completion of a Job Briefing including discussion of any job-related hazards:
(5) Do you agree the above described work can be done safely?

(If no, return to requester)

Electrically Qualified Person(s)

Date

Electrically Qualified Person(s)

Date

PART III: APPROVAL(S) T O PERFORM T HE W ORK W HILE ELECT RICALLY

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Manufacturing Manager

Maintenance/ Engineering Manager

Safety Manager

Electrically Knowledgeable Person

General Manager

Date

Page 41

Check
When
Com plete

Approach and Flash Boundaries

Live Object
Prohibited Boundary
Restricted Boundary
Limited Boundary
Flash Boundary

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Limited Approach Boundary

NFPA 70E Definition
A shock protection
boundary to be crossed
by only qualified
persons
Unqualified persons
may not cross
boundary unless
escorted by a qualified
person
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Restricted Approach Boundary

NFPA 70E Definition
Boundary / Approach
limit at distance from
exposed live part where
there is increased hazard
of shock due to electric
arc over combined with
inadvertent movement.

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130.2 (C) Approach to Exposed Live Parts

Operating at 50 Volts or More
No qualified person shall approach or take any
conductive object closer to live parts than the
RESTRICTED APPROACH boundaries in Table
130.2(C) Unless:
Qualified person is insulated or guarded from live parts
Live part is insulated from qualified person
Person is insulated from any other conductive operation as in live
line bare hand work

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Unqualified persons shall not be permitted to

enter spaces that are for qualified persons only
unless conductors are in electrically safe condition
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Prohibited Approach Boundary

NFPA 70E Definition
A shock protection boundary
to be crossed by only
qualified persons
Measured as distance from
live part
Requires the same protection
as if direct contact is made
with live part

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NFPA 70E
Table 130.2(C)
Table 130.2(C) Approach Boundaries to Live Parts for Shock Protection. (All dimensions are distance from live
part to employee.) Partial list through 145 kV
(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

Exposed Fixed
Circuit Part

Restricted Approach
Boundary; Includes
Inadvertent
Movement Adder

Prohibited Approach
Boundary

Not Specified

Not Specified

Not Specified

Not Specified

50 to 300

3.05 m (10- 0)

1.07 m (3- 6)

Avoid contact

Avoid contact

301 to 750

3.05 m (10- 0)

1.07 m (3- 6)

304.8 mm (1-0)

25.4 mm ( 0-1 )

751 to 15 kV

3.05 m (10- 0)

1.53 m (5-0)

660.4 mm (2-2)

177.8 mm ( 0-7)

15.1 kV to 36 kV

3.05 m (10- 0)

1.83 m (6-0)

787.4 mm (2-7)

254 mm (0-10)

36.1 kV to 46 kV

3.05 m (10- 0)

2.44 m (8-0)

838.2 mm (2-9)

431.8 mm (1-5)

46.1 kV to 72.5 kV

3.05 m (10- 0)

2.44 m (8-0)

965.2 mm (3-2)

635 mm (2-1)

72.6 kV to 121 kV

3.25 m (10- 8)

2.44 m (8-0)

991 mm (3-3)

812.8 mm (2-8)

138 kV to 145 kV

3.36 m (11- 0)

3.05 m (10-0)

1.093 m (3-7)

939.8 mm (3-1)

Limited Approach Boundary

Nominal System
Voltage Range,
Phase to Phase
Less than 50

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Exposed Movable
Conductor

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Boundaries Defined by Sign

WARNING

Arc Flash and Shock Hazard

Appropriate PPE Required

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19 inch

Flash Hazard Boundary

1.29

cal/cm^2 Flash Hazard at 18 inches

Class 0

Untreated Cotton

480 VAC

Shock Hazard when cover is removed

42 inch

Limited Approach

12 inch

Restricted Approach

1 inch

Prohibited Approach

Bus Name:

MDP, Prot Device: MA 800A

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NFPA 70E Article 130.3

Flash Hazard Analysis
A flash hazard analysis shall be done to
protect personal from injury by an arc flash.
This requires determining the Flash
Protection Boundary.
Must determine the appropriate PPE for
work within the boundary.
Better to work on electrically safe equipment!!

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Flash Protection Boundary

How do you determine
clearing time?
How do you determine
short circuit current?
How do you determine
Flash Protection
Boundary?
Exposed live parts?
What about line side vs.
load side of switches?
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Arc Flash Protection Boundary

Line Side vs. Load Side?

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130.3 (A) Flash Protection Boundary

< 600 Volts and < 300 kA Cycles
Systems < 600 Volts Flash Protection Boundary
is 4.0 ft.
Based on 300 kA cycles or 5000 Amp Seconds
i.e. 50,000 Amps for 6 cycles (0.1 Seconds)
For clearing times and currents other than 300
kA cycles or under engineering supervision the
Flash Protection Boundary can be calculated.
Standard also states 4 feet is good for < 300
Amp Cycles
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130.3 (A) Flash Protection Boundary

300 kA Cycles
Energy of 50,000 Amps for 6 Cycles

Energy is area
under the curve
Defined as I2t
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Flash Protection Boundary

Default 4 Ft. for 300 kA cycles
Dc = 4.0 Ft. for 300 kA-Cycles
Dc = distance in feet of person from an arc source for a just
curable burn (2nd degree burn)
t = time of arc exposure in seconds
Voltage < 600 Volts
Based on 0.1 Seconds (6 Cycles) and fault current of 50 kA
Based on total = 5000 Amp Seconds or 300 kA Cycles
Can use when combination is < 5000 A-S or 300 kA-C
For other than 300 kA Cycles or under engineering
supervision formulas on following pages can be used
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Flash Protection Boundary

Transformer MVA
Dc = [53 x MVAtr x t]1/2
Dc = distance in feet of person from an arc source for a just
2
curable burn (2nd degree burn 1.2 cal/cm )
2
If t = < 6 cycles, then injury limit is increased to 1.5 cal/cm
MVAtr = Transformer MVA. if MVA<0.75 then multiply MVA
x 1.25
t = time of arc exposure in seconds
Ignores source and transformer impedance. Assumes
source impedance has little impact and transformer
impedances are all the same except for < 750 kVA
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Flash Protection Boundary

Actual Short Circuit Current
Dc = [2.65 x MVAbf x t]1/2
Dc = distance in feet of person from an arc source for a just
curable burn (2nd degree burn)
2
If t = < 6 cycles, then injury limit is increased to 1.5 cal/cm
MVAbf = bolted fault in MVA at location
t = time of arc exposure in seconds
Uses the most detail. Includes source and transformer
impedance

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Comparison of Three Methods

130.3 (A)
What is the Flash Protection Boundary for the secondary side of a
3750 kVA transformer rated 480 Volts with a short circuit current of
50,000 Amps and a clearing time of 6 cycles (0.1 Seconds)
Method 1:

Dc = [2.65 x MVAbf x t]1/2

MFAbf = 50,000 Amps x sqrt(3) x 0.48 kV = 41.569 MVAbf

Dc = [2.65 x MVAbf x t]1/2 = [2.65 x 41.569 MVAbf x 0.1 Sec.]1/2
Dc = 3.32 Feet (More Accurate)
Method 2:

Dc = [53 x MVAtr x t]1/2

Dc = [ 53 x 3.75 MVA x 0.1 Sec.] 1/2

Dc = 4.45 Feet (Does not include source impedance)
Method 3
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Article 130.3 (4) - 300 kA Cycles:

Dc = 4.0 Feet (Typical / Approximate)

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Personal Protective Equipment

NFPA 70E 130.3(B)
Determine and document the incident energy
exposure in calories / cm2
Determine Flame Resistant (FR) clothing and
PPE requirements based on the exposure
Or
. As an alternative, use 130.7(C)(9)
Hazard/Risk Category Classifications

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Personal Protective Equipment Discussion

In addition to defining
the flash protection
boundary, An flash
hazard analysis
requires determining
proper PPE to wear for
people working within
the flash hazard
boundary.
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What is a Detailed Arc Flash Study?

Determines PPE
requirements
Defines boundaries
including Flash Boundary
Provides summary tables
Provides warning labels
What data is required?
What standards do I use?
Performed by: Wylie E. Coyote
Reviewed by: Road Runner

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Overview of Arc Flash Study

Based on results of short circuit and
coordination study
Must have those studies performed first
Short circuit (fault current) magnitude effects
arcing energy and device tripping time
Coordination study is used to determine
device tripping time
Arcing current and tripping time are used to
determine the incident energy
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Page 61

Study Results
Arc Flash Warning Labels
Flash hazard
boundary
Incident energy at
working distance
Working distance
Class of PPE
Shock hazard
Limited approach
Restricted approach
Prohibited approach
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WARNING

Arc Flash and Shock Hazard

Appropriate PPE Required
19 inch

Flash Hazard Boundary

1.29

cal/cm^2 Flash Hazard at 18 inches

Class 0

Untreated Cotton

480 VAC

Shock Hazard when cover is removed

42 inch

Limited Approach

12 inch

Restricted Approach

1 inch

Prohibited Approach

Bus Name:

MDP, Prot Device: MA 800A

Page 62

Study Results
Selection of Adequate PPE
Define class of
personal protective
equipment PPE
Based on incident
energy at worker
location from possible
arc source.

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Page 63

Arc Flash Hazard Analysis

Study Process
Input Data
Bolted Fault

Short Circuit Study

Arcing Fault
Coordination Study

Device Clearing Time

Protective Device /
Setting Changes

Incident Energy at
Working Distance
Arc Flash Boundary

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Page 64

PPE Selection
Warning Labels With
Boundaries / Data

Short Circuit Amps - SCA (Isc)

Source

Source

Circuit Breaker

Circuit Breaker

Line-Ground

3 Phase
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Page 65

Original Reason for Short Circuit

Calculations - AIC Ratings
NEC 110.9 and 110.10
dictates equipment shall have
adequate AIC rating.

CIRCUIT BREAKER

SHORT CIRCUIT

TYPE

RATING

QOB

10,000

QOB-H

22,000

QOB-VH

42,000

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Page 66

Per Phase Analysis

Example
Ia

Ic
Ib

Z of circuit

Z of circuit

Z of load
Z of circuit

Three Phase Representation

Z of circuit
and load

Single Phase Representation

A 480Y / 277V source is serving a balanced three phase wye resistive load
of 20 ohms per phase. What is the current in phase A, B and C?

t2g

Page 67

Per Phase Analysis

Short Circuit
Ia

Ic
Ib

Z of circuit

Z of circuit

X
X
A

Z of load
Z of circuit

Three Phase Representation

Z of circuit

Single Phase Representation

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Page 68

Bolted Short Circuit

I

277 Vl-n

Overcurrent Device

Zsource

Ztransformer

Zconductor

Zload

0.0021

0.0053

0.0084

2.0

Short Circuit (Bolted Fault)

Zero Impedance at Fault

I = V / Z = 277 V / (0.0021+0.0053+0.0084)
I = 277 V / 0.0158 ohms
I = 17,532 Amps of bolted short circuit current
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Page 69

Bolted vs. Arcing Short Circuit

Short circuit studies traditionally determine
the maximum bolted short circuit current
A true bolted fault has no arc
An arcing short circuit produces heat, flash
and other damaging and dangerous effects
Arc in a box directed toward worker

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Page 70

Arcing Short Circuit

How is the arcing current / impedance obtained?
I

277 Vl-n

Overcurrent Device

Zsource

Ztransformer

Zconductor

Zload

0.0021

0.0053

0.0084

2.0

Short Circuit (Arcing Fault)

Arc Impedance at Fault Voltage occurs across
impedance creating an arc.

I = V / Z = 277 V / (0.0021+0.0053+0.0084+.01866)
I = 277 V / 0.04446 ohms
I = 8,038 Amps of arcing short circuit current
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Page 71

Motor Contribution
At the instant of the short circuit, all connected
running motors (excluding drives without bypass)
contribute to the short circuit current.
Voltage collapses to zero but residual magnetic
field remains for several cycles
SCA from
source

Voltage drop across circuit components

277 V

Zsource

Ztransformer

Zconductor

0.0021

0.0053

0.0084

Total SCA

SCA Total = SCA source + SCA motor

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Page 72

SCA from
motor

Protective Device Time Current Curves

CURRENT IN AMPERES
1000

100

10
TIME IN SECONDS

Used to determine
clearing time for given
fault current
Two bands define entire
curve
Upper/right most band
is the longest time and
should be used

0.10

0.01
0.5 1

10

100

1K

10K

70A CB.tcc Ref. Voltage: 480 Current Scale x10^1

t2g

Page 73

Input Data
Effect of Utility Contribution
Source Impedance
Generation Capacity
Utility substation configuration
Future utility expansion

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Page 74

Source Strength

Normal flow is controlled by the dam

based on the water requirements /
load
Utility / Source

When the dam breaks, the short

circuit flow will depend on how much
water is behind the dam
More water / stronger source will
create larger and stronger pressure
and flow
The further downstream you are, the
less flow / pressure you will see

Conductor
t2g

Page 75

Input Data
Other Sources of Short Circuit Current
On site parallel
generation
Emergency generation
Motors

t2g

Page 76

Input Data
Effect of Transformer Data

t2g

kVA size
Percent Z
Parallel transformers
Future changes /
additions

Page 77

Input Data
Conductor Data Requirements

t2g

Conductor size
Conductor type i.e. Al or Cu
Number per phase
Length of run
Insulation type
Conduit type

Page 78

Input Data
Protective Devices Low Voltage

to Cycle in
current limiting region

t2g

1 to 3 Cycles in
instantaneous region

Page 79

3 to 30 Cycles
depending on
instantaneous and
short time settings

Input Data
Protective Device Data Low Voltage
Device type and rating
Time current curves
Device settings
CURRENT IN AMPERES
1000

1000

100

100

100

10

10

10

0.5 1

10

100

1K

10K

800A AND 500A FUSE.tcc Ref. Voltage: 480 Current Scale x10^2 EQUIP

0.01

TIME IN SECONDS

0.10

0.10

0.01

TIME IN SECONDS

TIME IN SECONDS

t2g

CURRENT IN AMPERES

CURRENT IN AMPERES

1000

0.10

0.5 1

10

100

1K

10K

K FRAME BREAKER.tcc Ref. Voltage: 480 Current Scale x10^0 EQUIP1

Page 80

0.01

0.5

10

100

1K

10K

2000A CB.tcc Ref. Voltage: 480 Current Scale x10^0 EQUIP1.drw

Input Data
Protective Devices Medium and High
Voltage

Relay and Breaker

Times

t2g

Relay Operating
Time Include
Tolerances

Page 81

Breaker Operating
Time 3 to 8 Cycles

Input Data
Protective Device Data Relays
CURRENT IN AMPERES

100

10
TIME IN SECONDS

Time Current Curve

Amp Tap, Time Dial
Instantaneous is very
important!
Tolerances and breaker
opening time

1000

0.10

0.01

0.5

10

100

1K

10K

RELAY.tcc SCALE
Ref. Voltage:
Scale
x10^0 EQUIP1.drw
X 23000
1 ATCurrent
23,000
VOLTS

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Page 82

One Line Diagram

Must have good one-line
diagram
Identify overcurrent
devices and system
configuration
Used as basis for short
circuit, coordination and
arc flash studies
t2g

Page 83

Operating Modes
Utility configuration
Identify all power
sources
Emergency (low short
circuit) conditions
Large motors

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Page 84

Define Overcurrent Device that Limits Arc

Duration for a Panel
1500 KVA
23KV Pri
480V Sec
5.75%Z
Device 1

Device 3

Device 2

Does Device 4 or
Device 3 dictate the
fault clearing time for
an arc flash event at
PP-1?
t2g

Device 4
Device 5

Panel PP-1

Page 85

Working Distance and Arc Flash Protection

Boundary
Flash Protection Boundary
Distance from arc source
where incident energy is less
than 1.2 cal/cm2

Working Distance
Typically 18. PPE
Class is based on the
incident energy at this
distance.
t2g

Page 86

Arc in Open Air

Incident energy is not
as concentrated as arc
in a box
Incident energy is
calculated in cal/cm2 or
joules/cm2

t2g

Page 87

Arc in a Cubic Box

Energy, pressure, debris etc
are focused in one direction
toward worker

Cubic Box 20
inches on each
side and open on
one end
t2g

Page 88

#%&@!!

Duration of Current
Molded Case Breaker
CURRENT IN AMPERES
1000

The time current curve of A 225 Amp

circuit breaker is shown. The current
scale is Amps X 10. What is the
maximum opening time for a fault of:

100

10
TIME IN SECONDS

1)

10,000 Amps?

2)

2,000 Amps with low setting

3)

2,000 Amps with hi setting?

0.10

0.01

t2g

0.5 1

10

100

1K

10K

225A CB.tcc Ref. Voltage: 480 Current Scale x10^1 EQUIP1.drw

Page 89

Duration of Current
Solid State Breaker
CURRENT IN AMPERES
1000

LONG TIME
PICKUP

ELECTRONIC TRIP
BREAKER

Given the 1000 Amp electronic trip

breaker, what is the maximum time
delay for the following:

1000 AMP FRAME

LONG TIME
DELAY

100

TRIP = LTP X SENSOR

1) 20,000 Amps, Inst. = Hi

10
TIME IN SECONDS

SHORT TIME PICKUP

2) 10,000 Amps, Inst = Hi, STD = Hi

3) 10,000 Amps, Inst = Int, STD = Hi
4) 10,000 Amps, Inst = Hi, STD = Low

SHORT TIME
DELAY
0.10

Available settings are:

INSTANTANEOUS
PICKUP

0.01

Low, Intermediate, High

0.5

10

100

1K

10K

2000A CB.tcc Ref. Voltage:

480 Current
Scale x10^0 EQUIP1.drw
Current
in Amps

t2g

Scale x 1000
Page 90

Duration of the Short Circuit

20A, 150A and 800A - LS Circuit Breakers
CURRENT IN AMPERES
1000

100

20 A C/B

TIME IN SECONDS

10

150 A C/B

800 A No Inst.

0.10

0.01

0.5

001.tcc

t2g

10
Ref. Voltage: 480

100

1K

Current Scale X 10^1

10K

A term that NFPA 70E uses

is Amp-Seconds
This shows current and
duration
How many Amp-Seconds
would there be for a 20,000
Amp fault protected by the
800 Amp breaker?
How would you lower it and
what would be the new
Amp-Seconds?
Page 91

Reducing Incident Energy Levels

Incident energy is of current and time
Lower current or lower time or both
Be careful, lowering current could increase time!

Use solid state breakers with instantaneous

instead of short time only
Use current limiting devices
Perform arc flash study to review device
settings
Have transformer secondary breakers to
protect main bus (except line side C/B lugs)
t2g

Page 92

Reducing Arc Flash Exposure

t2g

Recondition or replace older equipment

Arc resistant switchgear and equipment
Viewing windows for thermal imaging
Remote racking of breakers
Work only on electrically safe equipment
(dead) BEST METHOD

Page 93

QUESTIONS?

t2g

jphillips@brainfiller.com
Page 94

References and
Trademarks
References

NFPA 70 - 2005 National Electrical Code

NFPA 70E 2004 Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace
IEEE 1584 - 2002 Guide for Performing Arc Flash Hazard Calculations
OSHA CFR 29 1910 and 1926

Trademarks

t2g

National Electric Code and NEC are registered trademarks of the National Fire Protection
Association.
T2G Technical Training Group is a trademark of Technical Training Group
Brainfiller is a trademark of Technical Training Group
All other trademarks referenced in this notebook are the property of their respective owners.

Page 95