Arc Flash Analysis Studies are required to ensure that maintenance personnel are aware of the hazards and can take proper precautions before working on live electrical equipment. An arc flash can occur when phase conductors come in contact with one another or ground.  This “Short Circuit” causes the air to ionize creating conductive plasma gas which generates large amounts of heat. This tremendous amount of heat, in the range of 35,000°, can severely burn human skin and ignite clothing resulting in further burning.

An Arc Flash Analysis of every non-residential facility is required by OSHA based on the General Duty Clause Section 5(a)(1) which requires an employer to furnish to its employees –

“employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees…”

It also makes clear, with few exceptions, that equipment must be de-energized before work is performed, and lockout tag-out procedures must be followed. If, however, the equipment cannot be de-energized prior to work, the standard requires that:

• Employees are properly protected by personal protective equipment (PPE) appropriate for the work being performed.
• Employers perform an electrical hazard assessment to determine if hazards are present or likely to be present, select the necessary PPE, and communicate those selection decisions to each affected employee.

The content and format of an Arc Flash Analysis Study should conform to either NFPA 70E or IEEE Std 1584 requirements. The study should include Arc Flash Hazard Labels for all electrical panels in the facility and any other equipment that is subject to possible maintenance and worker exposure.

Arc Flash Analysis Studies provided by Power Analysis Associates are comprehensive and meet the requirements of NFPA 70E and IEEE 1584. A complete engineering analysis of the system is performed and recommendations are made to help mitigate the arc flash hazard as opposed to just reporting what it is.  Keeping ever cognizant of the fact that proper PPE will not eliminate the risk to an employee, but rather it will keep them from having incurable third-degree burns so it is most important to minimize the arc flash wherever possible.

For all Arc Flash Analysis Studies each regional office of PAA uses the latest SKM PTW-Arc Flash software package equipped for 2000 buses which complies with OSHA, NFPA 70E, NEC 110.16, and IEE 1584. SKM is an international leader in Electrical Systems Analysis software. All PAA Engineers are graduates of SKM training.

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