Arc Flash Studies
Providing Arc Flash Hazard Analysis
We help you address the CSA Standard – Z462’s safety requirement that all the employers have a duty to inform employees and contractors of Arc Flash risks by performing an Arc Flash analysis.
What are the CSA Standard Z462 Guidelines regarding Arc Flash?
An employer is required to:
- Ensure Arc Flash risk assessments are conducted for all electrical work conducted in their workplace
- Implement qualified and general worker safety training for shock and Arc Flash hazards in the workplace
- Establish shock and flash protection boundaries
- Ensure shock and Arc Flash warning labels are installed on electrical equipment that may require inspection of live conductors
- Provide protective clothing and personal protective equipment that meet ANSI standards
Why perform an Arc Flash analysis?
In most cases, without an Arc Flash Analysis, you cannot properly complete an Arc Flash risk assessment that will adequately protect your employees from an Arc Flash hazard. You must know realistic values for available fault current at buses as well as clearing times for applicable protective devices to determine the proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for electrical workers and realistic flash protection boundaries for all workers.
Where do Arc Flash hazards occur?
A hazardous Arc Flash can occur in any electrical device, regardless of voltage, in which the energy is high enough to sustain an arc. Potential places where this can happen include:
- Panel boards and switchboards
- Motor control centers
- Metal clad switchgear
- Transformers
- Motor starters and drive cabinets
- Fused disconnects
- Any place that can have equipment failure
When do Arc Flash hazards occur?
The most dangerous tasks, when an Arc Flash can occur, include:
- Removing or installing circuit breakers or fuses
- Working on control circuits with energized parts exposed
- Racking circuit breakers in and out of switchgear
- Applying safety grounds
- Removing panel covers
- Low voltage testing and diagnostics
The objective of an Arc Flash analysis
The objective of the Arc Flash hazard analysis is to determine the flash protection boundary distance and the arc flash incident energy that is used to determine the type of personal protection equipment (PPE) required for a qualified person while he or she is working near exposed energized electrical distribution equipment.
Upon the completion of the study, Enkompass Power and Energy Corp will issue a study report.
Let Enkompass provide a thorough Arc Flash analysis of your power system to ensure that your electrical workers will have the information required to properly select shock and Arc Flash PPE, as required.