First time a customer is requesting arc-flash labels to be in french (for a site based in Quebec).

Anyone here ever do french arc-flash labels?

How do I translate the following correctly:
- Arc Flash and Shock Hazard
- Appropriate PPE required
- Arc Flash Boundary
- Incident Energy
- Working Distance


(I know I can try google translate, but it often screws up technical/electrical terms)

You CAN use google for at least some of what you're after:

https://www.google.com/#q=arc+flash+labels+in+french

https://www.accuform.com/safety-label/b ... -FBLSPS140

I checked with one of my European French speaking colleagues with IEC TC78 which has a working group for definitions.

IEC standards are published in both English and French so this is an important issue that is a work in progress. i.e. the translations are being considered are by no means official (yet)

As expected, it’s not always easy to provide direct translations for some. There is discussion about proposed French terms that are not direct translations of the English terms.

The term “arc flash” is one of these terms and is a translation problem by itself. One of the key IEC technical experts is proposing “effet d’arc” meaning “effect of the arc”.

Another issue may be: do you always say “electric arc” = “arc électrique“, or is it sufficient to say “arc” in English as well as in French. Stay tuned – no answer yet.

Below are other possible “translations” but please be aware, this is not official (yet):

Arc Flash and Shock Hazard: Danger de choc électrique et d’arc (électrique)

Appropriate PPE required: EPI approprié requis

Arc Flash Boundary: Limite d’effet d’arc

One might also say: “Limite du danger d’arc”, but this would mean that “arc flash” would rather be translated into “Danger de l’arc”, which however means “Arc (flash)hazard”.
So, probably, “Limite d’effet d’arc” is the better translation for “Arc flash boundary”.

Incident Energy: Energie incident

Working Distance: Distance de travail

So although these are only terms being considered, nothing is final yet.

“watch this space for further developments”

Hope this helps!

....and my usual disclaimer, I am the International Chair of IEC TC78 but the above may or may not represent the position of the IEC (or any other standard organization that I represent)

Can we please get rid of the "restricted approach boundary" nonsense and use minimum approach distance (MAD) as that is the term that everyone else (IEEE, most other standards I've read, and OSHA) except 70E uses? Some things are best left lost in translation!

- Arc Flash and Shock Hazard = Dangers de chocs et de flash d'arcs OR Risque d'éclats d'arcs et de choc électrique
- Appropriate PPE required = Équipment de protection individuelle requis OR ÉPI approprié requis
- Arc Flash Boundary = Perimetre de securite OR Perimetre d'éclats d'arcs
- Incident Energy = Énergie incidente à distance de travail
- Working Distance = Distance de travail

My company is doing french arc flash labels (see sample label below).


Also, ARCAD's arc flash analysis software program is capable of creating customized arc flash labels in French and a number of other languages.