Are there standards for enclosures that determine their capability to withstand an arc flash event of a given magnitude? I have customers asking for "enclosure arc flash rating" and have been told there are tests for enclosures, but I can't identify the standard, spec, or test procedure. Just how rugged must an enclosure be and how must it deal with the pressure for an arc flash event? We're working at 690VAC in the several megawatt power electronic conversion world. We've been through the 70E training and personnel protection exercise. We've designed in the current limiting devices. We've even experienced a couple of arc flashes during produce development. Our enclosures contained everything fine, how do I prove it to a customer?

ABB descriptions

Some good information here. Note the protection types under the data tab.

http://www.abb.com/product/db0003db004279/c125739900636470c1256841004c460a.aspx?productLanguage=us&country=US

Disclaimer: I do not work for ABB. The OEM I work for does supply ABB products, new and replacement.

See C37.20.7-2007 IEEE Guide for Testing Metal-Enclosed Switchgear Rated Up to 38 kV for Internal Arcing Faults

Revision of IEEE Std C37.20.7-2001. A procedure for testing and evaluating the performance of metal-enclosed switchgear for internal arcing faults is covered. A method of identifying the capabilities of this equipment is given. Service conditions, installation, and application of equipment are also discussed.

https://sbwsweb.ieee.org/ecustomercme_enu/start.swe?SWECmd=GotoView&SWEView=Catalog+View+(eSales)_Standards_IEEE&mem_type=Customer&SWEHo=sbwsweb.ieee.org&SWETS=1192713657

The navy has done extensive tasting due to ship and submarine accidents and the pressure on an enclosure can be as much as several tons, based on Arc Flash pressures of several PSI. This is why they have gone to optical sensors and other devices to trip the circuit breakers rapidly if an arc occurs. See the article on web below:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/22128587/Evolution-of-Arc-Fault-Protection-Technology

We installed that system on my sub back in 1992.