Arc Flash Hazard analysis

Protection from
electric arc hazards
in power systems
Automotive

Powering
business
worldwide
Aerospace

Eaton delivers the power inside hundreds of products

that are answering the demands of todays fast changing
world.
We help our customers worldwide manage the power
they need for buildings, aircraft, trucks, cars, machinery
and entire businesses. And we do it in a way that
consumes fewer resources.

Next generation Powering Greener Buildings

transportation
Truck
Eaton is driving the
development of new
technologies from hybrid
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systems to advanced engine
components that reduce fuel
consumption and emissions in
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Higher expectations
We continue to expand our
aerospace solutions and
services to meet the needs
of new aviation platforms,
Hydraulics
including the high-flying light jet
and very light jet markets.
and Businesses
Eatons Electrical Group is
a leading provider of power
quality, distribution and control
solutions that increase energy
efficiency and improve power
quality, safety and reliability.
Our solutions offer a growing
portfolio of green products
and services, such as energy
audits and real-time energy
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Our hydraulics business
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Hydraulics
Electrical

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Arc flash
The threat is real
Complying to Arc flash is the result of an electric current that is passed
through air when insulation or isolation between energized
European safety conductors is no longer sufficient to withstand the applied
voltage. The majority of arc flash events take place during
standards does not or immediately after work on an electrical installation.
automatically prevent An arc flash is often the result of human actions, such as a
circuit breaker racking failure, misplacement of a test probe,
arc flash incidents. or dropping a tool on live parts of the installation. Some
work activities such as voltage testing, fault finding, and
Despite intrinsically commissioning take place with energized conductors in close
proximity.
safe equipment designs
and the preference Arc flash is often an unexpected event, due to the fact that
human error is difficult to predict. The result is commonly
of working on de- destruction of equipment involved, fire, and injury to the
workers.
energized equipment,
A common misconception is the delusion that high voltage
arc flash accidents do systems are more dangerous than low voltage systems with
actually happen all regard to arc flash hazard. Low voltage installations can have
very high potential arc energy levels while they are operated
across Europe. and worked on much more frequently.

An electric arc fault may be rare,

but the damage caused and its
effects are extremely serious.

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 Why is Arc a hazard?
The electrical arc flash is associated with release
of large amount of heat energy that causes
copper and steel of the electrical equipment
to melt and evaporate almost instantly. The
result is a fiery explosion that has the capacity
to produce extremely serious and fatal injuries.
Professional analysis is required in order to
quantify such potential and properly protect
staff from this risk.

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Arc Flash Safety Solutions
Common practice
Throughout the world, arc flash
threatens personnel safety,
companies face lost time,
lawsuits, fines, equipment
damage, facility downtime, and
lost production.
Arc flash hazards impact all
business areas, namely:
Safety
Legal
Financial
But there is a solution.
Regulations
European codes and standards
do not specifically require a
risk assessment for arc flash
hazard, despite the fact that arc
flash is a recognized risk. Many
electrical workers will be able
to tell you about real accidents
or near misses that they have
seen or heard about.
According to the EN 50110
Standard, which is applicable
to operation of electrical
installations, work is divided
into three categories: live
working, dead working and
working in the vicinity of live
parts. Because most work is
carried out under the dead
working condition it is often
assumed that arc flash hazard
is not a concern. Some work
activities such as voltage
testing, fault finding, and
commissioning take place
with energized conductors in
close proximity, either because
there are allowed exceptions
or because the activity requires
it. Even the act of making the
equipment safe to work on
can expose the worker to this
hazard.
Eaton has the capability of
performing an Arc Flash Hazard
Assessment of your electrical
installation. Based on this
assessment, we can provide
specific recommendations to
make working on the electrical
equipment safer.
Safety MeansKnowing
Your Potential Hazards.
Ensuring that your facility has
the best possible arc flash
safety plan in place is vital to
the safety of your employees
and the continued success of
your business. While adoption
of international arc flash safety
standards is increasing, they
may not provide the specific
attention to detail required for
safe work environment with
respect to arc flash, even under
worst case conditions.
Eaton has the experience
and expertise to help you
understand the level of arc
flash hazard in your facility and
optimize your safety program
accordingly.

Energy transfer mechanisms of an arc flash. Distances are important.

The Eaton Approach of many methods used to

Eatons Arc Flash Analysis
helps to deal with Arc Flash
hazard. The starting point is to
prevent dangerous situations.
Through a comprehensive
analysis of every part of your
electrical network, we provide
insight into the arc flash hazard
at any location. We quantify the
risk. In addition we look into
any concerns relating to short
circuit capacity and selectivity.
For any locations that have
dangerously high arc flash
incident energy we investigate
solutions to significantly
lowering the probability of an
arc flash incident and ways to
limit the workers exposure
by system design, equipment
modifications, alternate
protection settings and work
methods.
Optimized settings of
protection devices, use of
override switches, equipment
modifications, remote
switching are only a few
effectively improve electrical
safety. The costs of the
solutions vary, but even
higher cost solutions are small
investments compared to
the costs of dealing with the
consequences of arc flash
accidents.
A top-notch safety plan
incorporates not only
arc flash hazard analysis
recommendations, but also
practical training for personnel
who operate and maintain
electrical equipment. Eaton
offers both. Eatons trainers
are the electrical engineers
who perform arc flash hazard
analyses and often also work
in the field install. When you
train with us, youre assured
of getting the most current
information, techniques, and
procedures available to keep
your personnel safe and your
processes running.
Implementation starts with awareness.

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 Arc flash hazard analysis
is critical to working safely
on or near energized
electrical equipment

A comprehensive arc flash hazard analysis

An arc flash hazard analysis is critical to the safety of plant personnel working
on or near energized electrical equipment. Based on extensive empirical testing
and research, the analysis allows accurate assessment of the arc flash hazard by
quantification of the release of thermal energy from the arc. At the conclusion
of the assessment Eaton will provide recommendations to both prevent and to
mitigate the hazard.

evaluate protective device The Study Report includes:

Eatons highly-qualified power
systems engineers performed
many arc flash assessments
in all types of industrial plants
in Europe. Every engineer
has access to a variety of
analysis tools to best address
the safety risks of your
unique system. With the use
of proprietary software and
models based on IEC and IEEE
standards, complex models are
executed including fault current
calculations and protective
device coordination.
For each system node,
multiple scenarios are run to
duties, devices clearing time,
arcing fault currents, duration
of arc and resulting incident
energy. Eatons engineers
draw on past experience,
rigorous training and expertise
in providing recommendations
which are compiled in a written
report. Engineers are available
to present the findings at the
customer site at which time
the basic personnel training
can also be conducted.
A comprehensive arc flash
hazard analysis includes the
following services:
Creation or verification
of one-line electrical in arc flash hazard analysis will
drawings
Arc flash system studies
include:
- Short circuit and
Protection coordination
studies
- Arc Flash calculations
and Consulting
- Input Data
- Short Circuit Analysis
Results
- Time-Current Coordination
Curves (TCC)
- Worst Case Incident Energy
- Arc Flash boundaries
- Safe working distances
- Practical methods for
reducing arc flash hazards
- Personal protection
equipment (PPE)- Safe work
practices
Arc Flash labeling and
training
Eatons extensive experience
provide the best solutions to
protect what you value most.

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Standards for Arc Flash
The Arc Flash calculations as
performed by Eaton, are based
on the following standards:
IEEE 1584-2002
NFPA 70E, 2012
Arc Flash hazard analysis
complies with the following
European standards:
EN 50110
IEC 61482
IEC TR 61 641 (Low Voltage)
IEC 62271-200 (Medium help you understand the level
Voltage)
IEC 60909
Total Arc Flash Solutions
from The Industry Experts
Eatons engineering solutions
stress prevention, protection
and preparation. Our products,
engineering experience, and
industry know-how create
a total arc flash solution to
meet your companys needs.
We offer a complete arc
flash hazard analysis and help
companies protect what they
value most.
Enhanced Safety
Improve your facilitys overall
arc flash safety through training,
labeling, analysis and products
that reduce or eliminate
exposure to dangerous
situations. Meet or exceed the
standards for electrical safety in
the workplace.
Operating Cost Efficiencies
Reduce or eliminate unplanned
downtime, equipment damage,
fines, lawsuits, injuries and
fatalities through improved
safety practices.
Best Products. Best Services.
Best Solutions
Eaton offers the industrys
widest range of arc flash
related products and services.
Our electrical services group
is comprised of leading
engineers who have the
experience and expertise to
of arc flash hazard in your
facility and optimize your
safety program accordingly.
Getting started
For more information on
a comprehensive arc flash
analysis please contact us.
For more technical
information (whitepapers, etc.)
please check our website
www.eaton.eu/arcflash
IEEE Standard 1584
The arcing current of an arc flash behaves very differently
from the bolted short circuit current that can be calculated
using traditional methods. The methods for performing arc
flash calculations are in IEEE Standard 1584-2002. This global
standard takes a great deal of design factors into consideration
and is based on many years of research and empirical laboratory
testing of the arc flash phenomenon.
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Eaton is dedicated to ensuring that reliable, efficient and safe
power is available when its needed most. With unparalleled
knowledge of electrical power management across industries,
experts at Eaton deliver customized, integrated solutions to
solve our customers most critical challenges.

Our focus is on delivering the right solution for the application.

But, decision makers demand more than just innovative products.
They turn to Eaton for an unwavering commitment to personal
support that makes customer success a top priority. For more
information, visit www.eaton.eu.

Eatons Electrical Solutions & Services

ESS portfolio and scope of work has expanded beyond
repair and maintenance of in-house Eaton group product on
utility networks, to complete turnkey power distribution
projects, for both electricity supply companies and large
industrial conglomerates, indeed any body with an electrical
MV and LV distribution network.

Range of ESS Services

Equipment Erection & Installation Pre-Commissioning,
Final System Co-ordination Commissioning
Technical Studies & Reports; Relay Protection, Earthing,
Power Quality, Partial Discharge, Design
Maintenance of MV & LV Systems Networks, UPS & Lighting
Systems Products - Capital Equipment (All makes and models -
Non-Destructive, Non-Intrusive Predictive & Conventional
Time based)
Equipment Life Extension - Retro-fit Equipment & Accessories
including Vacuum Breakers
Local Operational Site Control - SAPs based on clients sites
(SAP-Switching/Safe Systems/Safety Rules)
Training for Competency and Authorisation of persons
Power Systems Engineering & Integration (Protection,
Control & Automation)
Supply of Transformers, Erection & Commissioning (Cast Resin,
Liquid and Oil Transformers 3.3 kV - 33 kV)
Crisis Response and Disaster Recovery - 24 Hour Call-Out
Retainer Contracts and Emergency/Supply Failure

Eaton Industries (Netherlands) B.V.

P.O. Box 23
7550 AA Hengelo
The Netherlands
tel: +31 74 - 246 40 97
fax: +31 74 - 246 40 69

services@eaton.com 2013 Eaton Corporation

www.eaton.eu/services All rights reserved
www.eaton.eu/arcflash February 2013