Technical Articles

IEEE 1584, NFPA 70E and the “2-Second Arc Duration” Myth Question: I’ve heard that an arc flash can’t last longer than two seconds. Is that true? Short answer: No. An arc flash can absolutely last longer than two seconds. Neither IEEE 1584 nor NFPA 70E says an arc flash is physically limited to two seconds. The two-second value is an assumption used for exposure time, not a limit on how long an arc can actually exist. This misunderstanding comes from

Question: Arc Flash Boundary – Safe? Since NFPA 70E does not require arc-flash PPE outside of the arc-flash boundary, does that mean it’s a safe place to stand? The Short Answer: No Way! (I have the advantage of seeing many staged arc flash events in the lab.) What NFPA 70E Actually Says About the Arc-Flash Boundary Let’s start with the basics. NFPA 70E requires that an arc-flash boundary (AFB) be determined and as part of an arc-flash risk assessment (see

Electrical safety isn’t theory—it’s protection for people, equipment, and uptime. For more than 40 years, Jim Phillips has helped engineers, electricians, and safety professionals turn the NFPA 70E Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace into practical, actionable safeguards that reduce incidents and strengthen compliance. At Brainfiller, Jim leads some of the industry’s most trusted NFPA 70E training programs, known for converting complex standards into proven, field-ready procedures. What Is NFPA 70E and Why It Matters Developed by the National