Arc Flash Analysis

Industrial Tests, Inc. provides comprehensive Arc Flash Analysis services as part of our Electrical Testing and Maintenance services. We perform Arc Flash Analysis for industrial plants, large commercial facilities and municipal power stations. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and are maintenance manager’s first choice for electrical testing, maintenance and repair.

Arc Flash Overview

An arch flash is an electrical short circuit that causes high quantities of current to pass through the air.  The temperatures during an arc flash can reach upwards of 35,000 Fahrenheit which is almost 4 times greater than the surface temperature of the sun.  The high temperatures cause extreme pressures in the surrounding neighborhood where the arc flash occurs, which results in an explosion similar to dynamite.    Shock hazards and electrical arc flashes are seen as dangerous occurrences which put the health and lives of electrical workers at risk.  Statistics show that every day, approximately 5-10 serious injuries or fatalities are a result of electrical arch flashes in the United States.  These incidents normally occur when personnel are required or choose to work with electrically energized equipment.

ITI tries to mitigate and prevent these incidents by placing all equipment in an electrically safe work condition before any of our employees work on or near the equipment.  ITI will not work on any equipment that is energized; hence we do our best to ensure that everything we work on is electrically safe.  All of our field technicians and engineers have undergone OSHA certified Arc Flash Hazard training to ensure that safety is our first priority when dealing with Arc Flashes.

Arc Flash Hazard Study

The analysis provides specific details on the exact locations of each point in the system that are capable of producing an arc flash in the event of an arc fault. Furthermore, the analysis enables personnel working on these sites to take the necessary precautions in terms of PPE (personal protective equipment) whenever they are working on or near an area that is energized.  Proper PPE need to be worn in relation to the potential incident energy measured in calories per square centimeter that is calculated from the analysis.  Incorrect values for incident energy will cause personnel working on these sites to be under protected and increase their exposure to risk.

The Difficulties of Arc Flash Hazard Studies

Performing arc flash hazard analysis is a very complicated task that requires extensive knowledge and skill.  ITI has the experience and knowledge to ensure that all the testing and analysis are carried out in a systematic and precise manner.  At the end of the analysis, ITI will provide you with recommendations for fixing any damaged equipment, locations of areas where there are high levels of incident energy, labels for equipment with specific incident energy values, and recommended limit approach boundaries.  We also offer comprehensive safety training for all plant maintenance workers.

Definitions

Limit Approach Boundary: the limiting distance from an exposed energized part where a shock hazard exists

Incident Energy Analysis: Components of an arc flash hazard analysis used to predict the incident energy of an arc flash for a specified set of conditions.

Areas of Concern

The following may cause arc faults:

• Circuit breaker trip settings are not up to manufacturer standards
• Improperly sized fuses and circuit breakers that do not pertain to system
• Underrated Switchgear, Switchboards and Panelboards
• On Site Evaluations
  Systematic Modeling
• Coordination and fault current studies
• Incident Energy Analysis
• Lockout & Tag Out of Equipment (NEC requires labeling of equipment that could cause potential arc flashes)
• Recommend limit approach boundaries

Services Offered for Arc Flash Analysis

Contact Industrial Tests for a free quote and price estimate on an arc flash protection assessment.

Providing Arc Flash Analysis To Northern California

With offices outside Sacramento, California, Industrial Tests, Inc. provides Arc Flash Analysis services to clients throughout Northern California, including Sacramento, San Francisco, and surrounding Northern California areas. We serve industrial, commercial and municipal clients in various industries including power stations, power plants, wind and solar, petro-chemicals, manufacturing, hotels, hospitals, municipalities, defense contractors, data centers and many other applications that rely on high power electric equipment. Whatever your Arc Flash Analysis needs may be, contact us and we will make sure that your equipment is treated with the care and safety requirements that it deserves. See our full line of electrical testing and maintenance.