What IS AN ARC FLASH?

An Arc Flash is the light and heat produced as part of an arc fault, a type of electrical explosion or discharge that results from a low-impedance connection through air to ground or another voltage phase in an electrical system.

What causes an arc flash?

Arc flashes can be caused by:

• Improper usage of rated electrical test instruments

• Mishandling uninsulated tools into an energized electrical enclosure

• Excess of conductive dust or moisture build up inside electrical equipment

• Rodents and small animals getting inside electrical equipment

• Improper installation of electrical equipment

• Improper electrical preventative maintenance resulting in equipment degradation

• Unsafe work conditions/practices
  

WHAT IS THE CORRECT ARC FLASH GEAR TO KEEP YOU SAFE?

It is critical to ensure your team has the correct gear when handling electrical equipment. Most importantly, eye protection, gloves, helmet and arc rated clothing. Ratings for your Arc Flash PPE can only be determined by performing the most applicable assessment (e.g. arc flash hazard/risk assessment, arc flash study, updates to the coordination study).

What are the arc flash ppe requirements and the purpose of them?

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) provides protection after an arc flash incident has occurred and should be viewed as the last line of protection. Arc flash rated clothing / PPE is required when the worker may be exposed to this risk when equipment is open for maintenance (energized or when establishing an Electrically Safe Work Condition), or even when a risk assessment has determined that switching or operation of closed equipment poses risk to the worker. The arc rated clothing requirements for various electrical equipment shall be determined by an arc flash risk assessment as stated in the NFPA 70E.

Who needs arc flash traINING?

Any worker (qualified or unqualified) who may be exposed to an electrical hazard where the risk cannot be mitigated shall be trained on electrically safe work practices. Again, qualified workers shall always be trained. Arc Flash Hazard avoidance training may also need to be performed for unqualified workers if they will be exposed to a hazard. The NFPA 70E addresses this in Article 110.2(A).

What is a qualified person?

The NFPA 70E states that a qualified person shall be trained and knowledgeable in the construction and operation of equipment or a specific work method. They must be trained to identify and avoid the electrical hazards that might be present with respect to that equipment or work method.

Another key part of being a qualified electrical worker is passing an annual field audit per the NFPA 70E.

What is Qualified vs. Unqualified

NFPA 70E defines a qualified person as one who has skills and knowledge related to the construction and operation of the electrical equipment and installation and has received safety training on the hazards involved.

NFPA 70E defines an unqualified person as simply "a person who is not a qualified person." There are two kinds of unqualified persons:

• An unqualified electrician who does not know the equipment or has not received safety training on the potential hazards involved.

• A non-electrician, such as a general maintenance worker, painter, executive leader, who is not expected to work on live electrical equipment.