ARC FLASH HAZARD ANALYSIS (AFHA) NFPA 70EAn Arc Flash is an energy discharge that forms when a fault occurs in an electrical circuit. The arcing fault results in a tremendous amount of energy released as current flowing through ionized air. The arc fault is immediately followed by an arc blast, a pressure wave and accompanying loud sound that results from the superheated air surrounding the arc. An arc flash incident can create devastating injuries including serious burns, hearing loss or loss of life. Falcon Engineering Consultants provides a complete Arc Flash Hazard Analysis (AFHA) study incorporating industry standard practices that comply with NFPA 70E recommendations using IEEE 1584 calculations. An engineered AFHA study calculating the available short circuit current and rating of overcurrent protective devices provides an accurate means of calculating incident energy, thereby determining appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Engineering recommendations for proper coordination and current limiting devices can reduce the occurrence of or damage from an arc fault. Upon completion of an AFHA study, equipment should be field labeled to indicate the risk of an arc flash hazard and identify the rating of PPE that is necessary to minimize an arc flash injury. What are my requirements? NFPA 70E 2009 Article 130.3 states that an Arc Flash Hazard Analysis shall determine the Arc Flash Protection Boundary and the required PPE when working on equipment. Causes of an Arc Flash include:
What are my requirements after the AFHA is completed? NFPA 70E 2009 mandates the arc flash hazard analysis be updated when a major modification or renovation takes place. The analysis should be updated periodically, not to exceed 5 years, to account for changes in the electrical system that could affect the arc flash hazard analysis. Modifications to equipment, adjustments to breaker settings and trip units will invalidate the incident energy calculations and result in improper PPE classification. |
Arc Flash Studies
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