Arc Flash and the NFPA 70E Guidelines

What is Arc Flash? Just how dangerous is it? Just ask one of the more than 2,000 people who are treated for arc flash burns every year and survived. Many do not survive.

What is Arc Flash?

Arc Flash occurs when electricity “jumps” or “arcs” through the air. Dust particles in the air provide the conductivity for the electricity to surge from the power source.

The danger from an arc flash can be one or more of several different hazards.

1. The 35,000 degree F heat.
2. Metal that has been liquefied
3. Blinding and intense light (can damage the eyes)
4. The pressure that explode in waves
5. Metal and other items that “explode’ outwards like shrapnel
6. Sound Waves

View Arc Flash videos here.

Where can Arc Flash occur?

The easy answer is… anywhere that electricity is present in high enough voltage to sustain an arc. That means that there are a lot of places that you need to protect yourself.

• Electrical panels
• Transformers
• Switchboards
• Switch Gears
• A whole lot more…

What should you do to protect yourself?

• Anywhere that you have identified an Arc Flash Hazard Potential, you need to have an Arc Flash Hazard Analysis done. The panel, transformer or switchboard should be labeled according to the arc flash level.
• Establish appropriate safety rules to protect anyone who is working in the hazard zone.
• ALWAYS wear the appropriate Arc Flash PPE for the level of arc flash present.

The NFPA 70E Standards for Arc Flash Protection are available for download on our website here.

Side note: By the way as a building owner you are responsible for the safety of anyone working on the electricity in your building.