NFPA70E, Arc Flash and Safe and Efficient Thermography Practices

By Darren Billings
Atlas Inspections & Art Stout - Electrophysics Corp.

Estimates indicate that 10-15 serious arc-flash incidents - those that result in burn injuries requiring treatment in a burn center - occur each day in the U.S., so it is not surprising that awareness of the hazards associated with arc flash continues to grow. Concerns about operator safety in the event of an arc-flash event are causing inspectors of high voltage switch gear to adopt new practices. We will examine the impact of new safety practices including infrared transparent windows and PPE (Personal protective equipment) on the use of thermography inspection.

 

What is an Arc Flash?

An Arc flash is essentially a bolt of lightening that occurs around energized electrical equipment. It can occur spontaneously and is often triggered simply by the movement of air when an electrical enclosure is opened. The NFPA has recognized the significant hazard of arc flash and is attempting to protect workers via the latest implementation of NFPA 70E - The Standard for Employee Safety in the Workplace"

Every person who has worked around energized electrical equipment is familiar with arc flash - most have seen it first hand. But it is kind of like a major automobile accident: no one really expects it to happen to them, so people have a tendency to drive with significantly less caution than they should.

 

So it is with arc flash, only worse. Similar to driving you can make a mistake, or you can be doing everything right when someone slams into you.

 

Specifically, what is an Arc Flash? An Arc Flash is Electric current flowing through an arc outside its normal path where air becomes the conductor of high thermal energy (5000C +) and generates highly conductive plasma. An Arc Flash will conduct all available energy and generate an explosive volumetric increase of gases which blows electrical system doors off and potentially generates shrapnel What are the causes of Arc Flash? An Arc Flash occurs when the gap between conductors or conductors and ground is momentarily bridged. There is always a trigger event which almost always involves human intervention. Typical causes and contributing factors include: Accidental contact with energized parts

 

  • Inadequate short circuit ratings
  • Tracking across insulation surfaces
  • Tools dropped on energized parts
  • Wiring errors
  • Contamination, such as dust on insulating surfaces
  • Corrosion of equipment parts and contacts
  • Improper work procedures

The vast majority of arc faults occur when the door is open or being opened.



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