Questions and Answers
Arc flashes are one of the most dangerous events that can occur in the workplace. This is why all employers need to take arc flash training and safety very seriously. In addition to simply wanting to keep everyone safe, it is also encouraged by both the NFPA and OSHA. Many people are surprised to learn … Read more
When working toward a safer workplace, arc flash safety training is an important addition to any environment. When deciding who needs arc flash training in your facility, there are a number of factors that need to be considered. The simple answer is to say that anyone who works with electrical equipment, or works in an … Read more
The best way to help keep people from getting injured or killed due to an arc flash is to keep them informed of the dangers. When people are aware of the risk of an arc flash in a given area, they are much more likely to take the necessary precautions. This would include staying out … Read more
When working on minimizing the risk of an arc flash in your facility, one of the first things you should do is take arc flash measurements. These measurements will identify how far away from the source of an arc flash one must be before the risk is no longer life threatening. According to the National … Read more
An arc flash boundary is the distance from the equipment in question to the point where the energy that would be present in an arc flash is 1.2 cal/cm2. This is the level at which it will cause only second-degree burns rather than third-degree. Calculating where the boundary will be in any given situation is … Read more
Arc flashes are dangerous events that can impact an entire facility. They are most dangerous, however, for those who are in the immediate vicinity of where the fault occurs. Anyone in the area is going to be exposed to extremely high temperatures, which can cause serious burns very quickly. Of course, anyone who comes into … Read more
One of the best ways to keep people safe from the threat of an arc flash is to ensure they aren’t in the area should one occur. Or, if they must be in the area, that they are wearing the proper personal protection equipment. In order to do that, OSHA requires that employers use arc … Read more
When working in areas where an arc flash is possible, it is important to know what the risk is, and how to best protect those in the area. To help with this, NFPA 70E has come up with Hazard Risk Categories (HRC) based on different duties in the workplace. These ratings are given to different … Read more
How much voltage is required for an arc flash to occur is a very common question, but the answer isn’t always as simple as one would like. In general, arc faults only occur in systems that are 120 volts or higher, but that is not a hard rule. If the conductors are very close together, … Read more
An arc flash is a very dangerous event that can cause explosions, fires, and electrocution. These potentially deadly events need to be prepared for so that they can be prevented when possible, and the damage and injuries they cause can be minimized. In order to best prepare for an arc flash of any kind, you … Read more