Does anyone know of any DC forumlas for Arc Flash yet? What are people doing with regard to DC systems?

Performing DC Arc Flash calculations, and how to handle DC Arc Flash protection is a pretty common question because there is not a very straight forward answer - yet! During the IEEE 1584 committee meeting a few weeks ago, we were told that some DC testing was FINALLY completed this year. As probably many people know, there has not been much testing in a while. IEEE and NFPA joined forces for the next effort and those efforts just recently began. The DC results are not yet public but formulas will be devloped based on the tests. What I did hear from one of the people directly involved in the test is the results were not exactly as expected. i.e. you would think the RMS AC current might produce a similar arcing energy as it's DC conterpart for the same duration. This was not the case. The duration and effect of zero crossing vs. no zero crossing was looked at as well.

For now, many people use the hazard risk tables under the premise that it is better than doing nothing.

When I hear more details that I am allowed to pass on, I will post them here.

DC Arc Flash

Will the new formulas be suitable for DC traction power systems?

Please check http://www.arcadvisor.com/faq/dc_direct_current_arc.html for how to resolve DC arcing fault

Just to bring this to the top. I am interested in the results of the DC studies, although I believe the 2009 guidelines will put our low voltage Solar Panels in the category of not needing Arc Flash analysis. We are waiting for our copy of the 2009 NFPA.

DC arc flash tests were completed by Bruce Power

The actual tests were completed already at the Kinetrics lab in Mississauga, ON, Canada by Bruce Power.

The results are available, but they will not release any information at this time.

Results will most likely be released via the IEEE NFPA collaborative project.

Regards;
Terry Becker
http://www.esps.ca

Any Progress on DC Arc formulas?

Does anyone know what is the current best practice is for calculating Arc Flash Boundaries for DC and HVDC (+/- 200 kV DC)? The only thing I've been able to find on DC is a limit of approach in the NESC Table 441-4.

DC Arc Flash

Is there any new information in how to perform arc-flash in DC systems?

How industrial plants deal with it? Sometimes is impossible de-energized the DC equipment and use IEEE-1584 to estimate arc-flash is not the right thing to do.

Is there any comment in the NFPA-2009 edition? Is there any prevision when IEEE group will publish the guidelines do DC systems?

It's been a few months, has anyone heard anything?

Quite a bit. Check out the thread below.

[url="http://www.arcflashforum.com/showthread.php?p=5601#post5601"]DC Arc Flash Calculations / Arc Flash Forum[/url]