arc brochure canada

7/27/2019 Arc Brochure Canada

1/8

Arc Flash

Understanding the need

for increased safety


2/8

Five to ten arc flash explosionsoccur in electric equipment every

day in the United States*

*CapSchell Inc.

What is an arc flash?

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), an arc flash

hazard is "a dangerous condition associated with the release of energy caused

by an electric arc". An arc flash is an explosion capable of causing severe

burns, injuries and/or death, depending on the severity of the incident.

Arcing fault current is fault current that flows through the air. This is unlike

"bolted" fault current, which flows through conductors, busbars, and otherequipment that is designed to withstand its effects. This current flow,

through air, releases a great deal of energy in the form of heat and

pressure. An "arc-flash," which refers to the uncontrolled release of such

energy during an arcing fault, can result in significant damage to

equipment, or worse, injury or death to workers exposed to the fault.

An arc flash is caused by a reduction of the insulation or isolation

distance between energized components. Incidents typically occur in

applications above 120V, and can happen when electrical equipment is

being serviced or inspected. Incidents can be caused by:

A tool being inserted or dropped into a breaker or service area, or

another item accidentally left behind, that compromises the distance

between energized components.

A worker mistakenly failing to ensure that the equipment has been

properly de-energized. For this reason it is always best not to service

energized electrical equipment.

Five to ten arc flash explosions occur in electric equipment every day in

the United States, according to statistics compiled by CapSchell, Inc., a

Chicago-based research and consulting firm that specializes in

preventing workplace injuries and deaths.

What type of damage is rendered to equipment duringan arc flash event?

After an arc flash event, the damage can be serious enough to render the

equipment no longer usable. This causes a disruption of your operation

for hours or days, depending on the type of equipment, its age and how

quickly service can be restored to it.

What are the implications for worker safety?

Injuries from an arc flash event range from minor injuries to third degree

burns and potential death owing to the energy released. Other than

burns, a person can experience blindness, hearing loss, nerve damage,cardiac arrest and/or other related medical conditions.

Revisions to the 2006 Canadian Electrical Code now specifically address

arc flash hazards by referencing industry standards such as:

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 70E-2004, Standard for

Electrical Safety in the Workplace

IEEE Standard 1584, Guide for Performing Arc Flash Hazard Calculations

These provide information on safe work practices and required protective

equipment for electrical workers exposed to arc-flash hazards.

2


3/8

What is NFPA 70E?

NFPA 70E is a worker safety standard drafted by the National Fire

Protection Association (NFPA). Among other safe workplace practices, it

provides awareness on arc flash hazards. The standard also gives

guidelines for flash hazard analysis, which leads to choosing appropriate

personal protective equipment (PPE) for worker safety.

CSA-Z462, the Canadian version of the NFPA 70E, will be published at

the end of 2008.

Does the Canadian Electrical Code specifically addressarc flash?

As of 2006, the Canadian Electrical Code (CEC) has been revised to

address the issue of arc flash by recognizing the NFPA 70E standard as

a valid workplace safety standard in Canada. Equally important is the

Canadian Occupational Health and Safety Law requiring "employers to

take every reasonable precaution to protect the health and safety of their

workers".

Adopting the safe work practices found in NFPA 70E is a reasonable

precaution for employers to take in order to protect the health and safety

of their employees.

If an employer is found not to have taken a reasonable precaution in

addressing arc flash issues, the law can hold individuals (rather than just

the corporation) personally responsible.

How do you protect your workers?

While properly maintained equipment and safe work practices can help

minimize the probability that an arcing fault might be initiated, workers

potentially exposed to this hazard must still be adequately protected. An

analysis of the potential arc-flash hazard at a relevant system locationshould be performed so that workers can select and use appropriate levels

of PPE. The severity of the hazard that is related to an arcing fault is

measured by the amount of energy that an arc delivers to an exposed

worker. Calculation of this "incident energy," which is commonly measured in

calories per square centimeter (cal/cm2) or joules per square centimeter

(J/cm2), provides a basis for selection of proper PPE, including flame-

resistant clothing, flash suits, arc hoods, and other similar equipment.

Both the incident energy and the flash-protection boundary vary,

because they are based on many parameters. The most important

factors include:

System voltages Arcing fault current levels Distance from a worker to the fault source Duration of the fault

The hazard level depends on many system variables, including:

Equipment type Prospective bolted fault currents Characteristics of the upstream protective devices

It is important to use the correct level of PPE equipment for the task and

the hazards that are present. Too little PPE leaves workers inadequately

protected, and is therefore undesirable. Too much PPE is also undesirable,

as it may hinder movement and increase the level of risk associated with a

specific work task, or create other hazards such as increased heat stress.3

Table 1: Protective ClothingCharacteristic(from NFPA 70E-2004)

Clothing

Category

0

1

2

3

4

Clothing

Category

0

1

2

3

4

Number

of Layers

1

1

2

3

4

Minimum

Arc Rating

of PPE

(cal/cm2)

N/A

4

8

25

40

Clothing

Description

Untreated Natural

Fiber Clothing

Fire ResistantShirt and FireResistant Pants

Cotton Underwearplus Category 1

Fire ResistantCoverallOver Category 2

Multi-layerFlash SuitOver Category 2


4/84

How does your company adopt

NFPA 70E guidelines?

There are a number of steps you can follow to begin adopting the NFPA

70E guidelines. You can start by ensuring that you understand the

standard and follow by instituting a comprehensive safety program with

defined responsibilities.

You can then analyze and calculate arc flash incident energy for each

equipment location in your facility. This is typically done through an arc flash

assessment by an experienced vendor such as Schneider Canada Services.

Plant or safety managers will need to implement arc flash safety training

for their employees and electricians. They will also need to update and

enhance their safety procedures and manuals to comply with the NFPA

70E guidelines.

How can Schneider Canada Services help you

implement NFPA 70E guidelines?

Schneider Canada Services can help you understand NFPA 70E in order to

provide a safe working environment for your electricians and/or

employees. As a safety-focused company, we take the lead in providing

education and solutions to address changing electrical standards. To

help meet the newly revised standards on arc flash, we can assist you by

conducting an assessment that will provide a baseline to determine the

status of the equipment in place and recommending remedial actions, if

necessary, to mitigate arc flash incidents.

The assessment and recommendations may include:

Analyzing and calculating the degree of arc flash hazard.

Type of personal protective equipment required.

Type of training needed for workers.

List of tools needed for safe work.

Description of warning labels required for equipment.

Deployment of products, solutions or methods to limit arc flash,

when possible.

Assist with specifications for new or upgrade of existing equipment .

With just a phone call, we can arrange to:

Give an information seminar to help you understand NFPA 70E and

changes to the Canadian Electrical Code.

Provide an assessment of your facility to determine what you must do

to comply with NFPA 70E.

Conduct an arc flash analysis to determine the incident energy levels

and boundary distances. This may include a short circuit analysis.

Provide recommendations of PPE category and labeling requirements,

and interpretation of NFPA guidelines.

Recommend changes to equipment protection settings and/or

possible retrofit options to reduce arc flash incident energy levels.

Train your employees on arc flash hazards and the use of PPE.

A flash hazard analysis

shall be done in order to

protect personnel from

the possibility of being

injured by an arc flash.

(NFPA 70E 2004 Edition)

For assistance with implementing

NFPA 70E guidelines in your facility,

Call 1 (800) 265-3374

Or contact your regional Schneider

Electric sales office.

Or visit our web site at:

www.schneider-electric.ca/services


5/85

Workplace safety and efficiency

By completing a full arc flash assessment,

a company can determine what equipment

labeling and safe boundary distances are

required and ensure the best possible mix

of worker safety and efficiency.

The risks of not doing an assessment can

be very expensive. First, without knowingthe boundary distance of an arc flash

event, it is impossible to know where to

begin implementing safety procedures. The

assessment activity provides the

background necessary to make intelligent

safety decisions.

For instance, if electricians are required to

work on "hot" or energized equipment,

without knowledge of the hazards involved,

the highest level of protection (PPE) would

be required. Unfortunately, Level 4 PPE,

which is very difficult to work in, may not

provide protection from the impact of a blast

and may not even be necessary in many

cases. Attempting to complete work in a

Level 4 suit such as the one shown below

is very slow and time-consuming. Also,

depending on the complexity of the job and

manual dexterity required, some work is

more difficult to complete in this type of suit.

Schneider Canada Services

engineers can help mitigate the

risk associated with arc flash.

Schneider Canada Services provides your organization with the

information you need to understand the dangers of arc flash and what

you can do to improve electrical workplace safety. Our trained expertsare familiar with arc flash incidents, recommendations for mitigating risk

and current guidelines to help train your employees and ensure your

facilities meet current standards.

According to the requirements outlined in NFPA 70E, employees working

on or around energized electrical equipment are required to understand

PPE "arc flash exposure levels" to determine the level of protection

required. Arc flash exposure is related to:

The amount of fault current that could flow at a particular point in the

electrical system.

The time required for the nearest upstream overcurrent protective

device to operate and stop the current flow.

Schneider Canada Services offers arc flash analyses, performed by

professional engineers, to identify appropriate levels of PPE for your

employees.

Features of an arc flash analysis

PPE category recommendations presented in a clear, tabular format

(Based on IEEE Standard 1584, Guide for Performing Arc Flash Hazard

Calculations). Written report of findings and recommendations for reducing arc flash

hazards.

Optional power equipment labels listing PPE category

recommendations for attachment to existing enclosures.

Optional colour-coded, single-line diagram showing PPE category

recommendations for posting in electrical rooms.

Optional on-site electrical safety training for your staff.

Considerations for an arc flash analysis

If your facility meets any of the following conditions, you should considerconsulting Schneider Canada Services for an arc flash analysis:

Arc flash study has not been performed in the past three years.

Short-circuit, protective coordination studies have not been performed

in the past five years.

Changes have occurred to the electrical distribution system or electric

utility system.

A safety audit is required.

Your facilitys insurance policy is up for renewal.

Modifications or expansions of the electrical distribution system are

being considered.


6/86

Arc flash safety training

Schneider Canada Services has formed an alliance with the CSA

Learning Centre in the delivery of an Arc Flash Electrical Safety course

that you can rely on for expert information as you begin adoption of the

NFPA 70E standards.

At your facility

Our experts can conduct customized, on-site training at your facility to

educate your employees and any outside electrical contractors you use

about the dangers of arc flash and how to follow the NFPA workplace safety

guidelines. This training will enable your employees and contractors to:

Realize the dangers of exposure to arc flash.

Manage arc flash incident protection more effectively.

Understand the different levels of PPE.

Implement effective safety procedures.

Choose the correct type of equipment youll need to work on and

around your own electrical equipment. Conduct arc flash assessments and distance calculations.

Via regional sessions

We also offer comprehensive and regularly scheduled classes on safe

work place practices at select locations across Canada.

This 8-hour course:

Provides participants with a basic understanding of safe work place

practices.

Reviews the NFPA 70E 2004 Edition guidelines. Provides a basic overview of correct distribution equipment

maintenance procedures.


7/87

Equipment solutions to reduce arc

flash hazards

Once the assessment has been completed, you may need to modify or

upgrade equipment. In many instances, applying upgrade technologies

can reduce PPE levels. If youre planning a new installation, youll want to

be advised of new technology solutions available. Schneider Electric

offers a wide range of solutions to help you mitigate the arc fault riskspresent in your installation.

Retrofit solutions

Retrofit existing low voltage power circuit breakers using the new arc

flash Masterpact NW or NT retrofit and/or direct replacement products.

Schneider Canada Services offers direct replacement breakers for

many manufacturers low and medium voltage breakers, including Allis

Chalmers, Federal Pacific, Federal Pioneer, General Electric, ITE/ABB

and Westinghouse.

Install H.VIR Comet Infrared (IR) viewing windows, which allow diagnostic

IR scanning without removing equipment covers to improve worker safety

while assessing equipment condition. The crystal material used in the

H.VIR windows is up to 96% transparent to infrared wavelengths, which

ensures accurate IR scanning while maintaining the equipments NEMA or

IEC/EN IP ingress rating.

Install auto rack remote racking system for the existing medium voltage

circuit breakers to help keep workers at a safe distance from potential arc

flash locations.

Install the Square D arc terminator device retrofitted into existing

MasterClad medium voltage switchgear to reduce or eliminate arc

flash hazards.

Upgrade low or medium voltage breakers with Sepam medium voltage

protection relays or Carriere low voltage protective relays. Both offer LSIG

functionality to help reduce breaker tripping times. Sepam protective

relays allow you to switch between two protective relay settings. This

allows you to select the more sensitive settings based upon arc fault

conditions when working on equipment.

New equipment solutions

When designing a new system, contact your Schneider Electric

consulting engineering specialist to help with the specification of our new

Square D Powerzone 4 low voltage switchgear, which can include

Masterpact NW or NT arc flash branch circuit breakers.

As an alternative to arc resistant switchgear, a Square D arc terminator

device can be installed in one cell of a Square D MasterClad medium

voltage switchgear lineup, protecting up to 10 breakers. The Arc

Terminator system detects and controls the effects of arcing faults. It

extinguishes arcs in less than 1/4 of a cycle, significantly minimizing

equipment damage and reducing equipment downtime.

Powerzone IV low

voltage switchgear

with Masterpact arc

fault circuit breakers.

Masterpact arc flash

circuit breakers provide

arc flash protection

without fuses, using

breakthrough technology

exclusive to the industry.

The Comet H.VIR

infrared viewing window

uses a crystalline material

that is up to 96%

transparent to infrared

wavelengths. This ensures

accurate infrared scanning

while maintaining the

equipments NEMA or IP

ingress rating.

Sepam medium voltage

and Carriere low voltage

protective relays provide

LSIG functionality to

reduce tripping times

under arc flash

conditions.

The Square D Arc

Terminator system

detects and controls

the effects of arcing

faults, extinguishing

arcs in less than 1/4

of a cycle.


8/8

Schneider Canada Services

6675 Rexdale Road

Mississauga Ontario

L4V 1V1 CANADA

Tel: (905) 678-7000

Fax: (905) 678-8583

S0180BR0401EP R2

Head office/Sige social

19 Waterman Avenue

Toronto, Ontario M4B 1Y2

www.schneider-electric.ca

Tel.: (416) 752-8020

Fax: (416) 752-6230

June 2007

A Global business

with signature brands

Schneider Canada Services is a division of Schneider Electric - the

world leader in electrical distribution, industrial control and automation

products, systems and services. Our proven products and technologies

are installed in utilities and industrial, commercial and residential facilities

worldwide.

Our powerful family of brand names is integrated into a truly global

offering that provides comprehensive solutions and a wide range of

products, equipment and services.

Since 1945, Federal Pioneer distribution equipment has been installed in

Canadian utilities and industrial, commercial and residential facilities.

Since 1920, Merlin Gerin has been an international leader in low and

medium voltage IEC type electrical distribution, circuit protection,

metering and control.

For more than a century, Square D has provided leading-edge NEMA-

type electrical distribution and industrial control products and systems.

For over 80 years, Telemecanique has provided leading-edge industrial

control products, systems and solutions.

NFPA 70E is a registered trademark ofthe National Fire Protection Association,Quincy, MA 02169

arc brochure canada

Documents