Does anyone know anything about the use of welding curtain style barriers for protection from arc flash (particularly around metalclad switchgear?) Does anything like that exist?

I'm thinking about something like that for breaker maintenance where they suit up to pull the breaker out onto the floor, and then take the suit off to perform breaker maintenance (no longer "interacting with" the live equipment). Or sometimes we have P&C personnel who might be working near the non-arc resistant switchgear for an extended period of time. It would be nice to bave some sort of barrier in the event of a spontaneous failure.

I realize that this might be compicated in terms of a blast resistant stand, but something must be possible?

Thanks,

Jody Levine
Hydro One
Toronto

Yes there are, called suppression blamkets and there is a new ASTM standard for testing them and rating them. http://astmnewsroom.org/default.aspx?pageid=1837#

Here are some manufactures:

Estex BlastMat (15kA, 25kA, 40kA)

Salisbury by Honeywell (15kA)

Energy Products LLC (25kA)

Oberon (15kA, 25kA)

Arc Flash Blankets

Thanks Zog. That is ASTM F2676. Make sure it is tested. These take a little more engineering understanding. They can't wrap cables or be draped over something. They have to be installed in a way to stay in place from the blast. There are three levels, 15kA, 25kA and 40kA which is the Imax rating. Then they are rated in kA-cycles. The greater the kA-cycles the better the blanket in a range.

So you have to know the kA fault AND how long it will last and suspend them using all the attachement points to block energy.

They could be used in some switchgear situations. They are usually used in underground networks to protect from bus or cable trays other than what is deenergized. One utility DTE is using heat detection guns and have temperature levels they have set for their workers to work safe, work with blanket or absolutely denergize.

More to learn but the test method standard came from the ASTM taskforce in Committee F18 in 2009. You can now compare tested blankets.

I think Burlington Safety has a blanket too that has been tested.

Safety Shields for racking breakers

Almost forgot. Another option to be an arc flash barrier is a safety shield. AB Chance sells it. They also have an adapter so it can be attached to a racking screw.

Contact them for details but let me know if I can help.

I don't sell the stuff but I'm on the patent for the adapter but they get all the money!

Rats.

Need to work on your business model there Hugh

You can use this company which has a line of arc flash curtains which can be free standing or large 100' long curtains. [url="http://www.curtain-and-divider.com/arc-flash-curtain"]Akon - Arc Flash Curtains[/url]

I know the type of material used is dependent on the type of welding taking place. The brighter the arc, the darker the material that has to be used.