Electrode Configuration and 2018 IEEE 1584
The most frequently asked question that I receive regarding the 2018 edition of IEEE 1584 is: “How do I determine the electrode configuration?” The 2002 edition was based on arc […]
Arc Flash, Second Degree Burns (My Wife and a Chili Cookoff)
Yes, you read the title correctly – Second degree burns, my wife and a chili cookoff! And it all took place at home. But, before I get into that story, […]
2018 IEEE 1584 – 125 kVA Transformer Exception DELETED!
125 kVA – Going, going, gone! After much speculation about the fate of the 125 kVA transformer “exception”, the 2018 Edition of IEEE 1584 – IEEE Guide for Performing Arc-Flash […]
IEC 61482-2 Second Edition Just Released!
As the International Chair of IEC TC78 Live Working Committee, I am excited to announce the recent publication of the second edition of IEC Standard 61482-2 Live working – Protective […]
PCIC Conference – ANSI vs. IEC Short Calculations and Arc Flash Studies
The 65th Annual IEEE-PCIC Conference will be held this year in Cincinnati, Ohio on September 24-26. This year I will have both my “IEEE hat” and “IEC hat” on and […]
IEEE 1584 Status Update
I have been receiving many questions lately about the status of the next edition of the standard: IEEE 1584 – IEEE Guide for Arc-Flash Hazard Calculations. As Vice-Chair of the […]
40 cal/cm^2 Deleted – But Some Confusion Remains.
When the topic of incident energy above 40 calories per square centimeter (cal/cm^2) comes up, the discussion can be quite interesting. People will sometimes refer to the high values in terms […]
Keeping Skills Current with FREE Training
Published: May 2017 By Jim Phillips Part 2 of 2 Part Series There is an endless list of reasons for keeping your skills and knowledge up-to-date in the electrical industry. These days […]
Keeping Skills Current on a Limited Budget
2-Part Series Published: May 2017 By Jim Phillips Part #1 of a 2 Part Series: What if you had been stranded on a deserted island for the past five years? By the […]
Arc Flash Study Top 10 FAQs Part #3
How Does Everyone Else Do This? By Jim Phillips 3-Part Series ARC FLASH LABELS What do you list on an arc flash label when the prospective incident energy is […]
Arc Flash Study Top 10 FAQs Part #1
How Does Everyone Else Do This? By Jim Phillips 3-Part Series There are many frequently asked questions about performing an arc flash study (risk assessment) and understanding electrical safety […]
AF label on Service Disconnect and ATS in same Enclosure
With the awareness of arc flash, many giant manufacturers do not manufacture the Service Disconnect and the Automatic Transfer Switch located in the same section or enclosure. However, this practice […]
Behavior of Apparel Fabrics During Convective and Radiant Heating
Personal protective equipment (PPE) recommended for arc flash is not always designed for arc flash exposure. The purpose of this paper is to warn of the dangers posed by using […]
How Many Arc Flash Labels on Equipment?
Question of the Week Some equipment may have multiple arc flash labels for a variety of reasons. Different operating configurations Equipment is long/large – including busway Equipment has different incident […]
Arc Flash Labels-PPE Category
In the NFPA 70E-2015 Handbook, page 122, 130.5(D) states incident energy or PPE category shall be on the equipment arc flash label, but not both. Yet when reviewing Annex H […]
Reducing Arc Flash I/E At Fire Pump Controllers
Question: What are you guys recommending to reduce incident energy levels on fire pump controllers fed directly from the secondary side of utility transformers? Answer: Can’t be done. This is a […]
120 Volt Arc Flash
I believe it to physically impossible to sustain an arc flash at 120 V but can someone point me to the proof? Can someone indicate where a code specifically states […]
Arc Flash Label Updating – How Many Times?
NFPA 70E requires that an Arc Flash Risk Assessment be updated when a major modification or renovation takes place. It shall be reviewed periodically, at intervals not to exceed 5 […]
Maximum Short Circuit Current
The intensity of an arc flash is dependent on the magnitude of short circuit current. Lower voltage systems (less than 600 volts) tend to have the highest short circuit currents. […]
Using gloves with a stick
1910.269 requires arc flash protection for hands with exceptions when wearing leather protectors over rubber gloves, and when wearing heavy duty work gloves. The workers state that sticks should be […]
DC Arc Flash Boundary
Could i use the (DB) empirically derived model equation of IEEE Std 1584-2002 to calculate the Flash-protection boundary (for box configurations) and the Lee (DB) equation (for open air configurations)? […]
RELT or ARM Arc Flash Labels
It always seems as if we are kicking the dead horse on arc flash labels but I was just interested in your opinion of how to label a piece of […]
Replacing AF Labels
I will be updating arc flash labels on numerous working locations which means the old label has to be removed and a new one applied. By design these labels are […]
Falsified Arc Flash Study
As a electrical engineer who performs arc flash studies and investigates electrical accidents I have come across a company who is faking their arc flash studies. They go into companies […]
Arc flash detection relay
What is the practice for the use of arc detection relay trip time in the arc incident energy calculations? NFPA-70E recognized arc detection relay but kept under “Other Methods” as […]
New to Arc Flash, Short Circuit and Coordination studies
Hi. I currently work as an Engineer in the energy management field. I would like to branch off in to doing Arc Flash, Short Circuit and Coordination Studies. How would […]
Arc Flash Shields in disconnect boxes
I repair UL listed appliances that are sometimes directly wired into a fused or unfused disconnect box if they exceed 50A. Sometimes I need to test the voltage on both […]
Arc Flash Boundary – Calculated, Larger, Something Else?
It has been a while since a question of the week was asked about the Arc Flash Boundary. This is the distance from a prospective arc flash where the incident […]
Harmonic Correction Unit?
Would a Harmonic Correction Unit impact the incident energy during an arc flash in an MCC line-up? READ ANSWER
2018 NFPA 70E – 40 cal/cm2 Threshold (may be) Deleted
Finally! The 40 cal/cm2 threshold my finally be deleted. The For many years, the 40 cal/cm2 threshold that is part of Informational Note 3 presently found in the 2015 Edition […]
Utility Short Circuit Current Data, Arc Flash and Change
Webinar – Utility Short Circuit Current Data, Arc Flash Studies and Changeby Jim Phillips, P.E. [See more about Jim Phillips] It goes up, it goes down, sometimes it is thought […]
Specifying Arc Flash Studies and IEEE 1584.1
An arc flash study can be a bit complicated if you are new to this field. Knowing where to begin, what to include, how far to go, how to use […]
NFPA 70E – Qualified Workers
“Raise your right hand” Pretty intimidating words – especially if they are said in a court room and the trial is about an injury or death. – and you are […]
NFPA 70E – 2015 Edition – Update of Changes
NFPA 70E – Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace, was first published in 1979 and consisted of only one part, The 2015 Edition marks the tenth edition to NFPA […]
Global Use of IEEE 1584
The surface area of the earth is approximately 197 million square miles, and IEEE 1584—IEEE Guide for Performing Arc-Flash Hazard Calculations has been covering more of it every day since […]
IEEE 1584 Revision Update – 201X Edition
IEEE 1584 – Where It All Began – 2002 A lot has happened since 2002 when IEEE 1584 – IEEE Guide for Arc-Flash Hazard Calculations was first published. The development […]
NFPA 70E Major Updates for the 2012 Edition – Part 2.
Although beginning with an erratic schedule with revisions to NFPA 70E being spaced anywhere from 2 to 5 years apart, this very important electrical safety standard is now on a […]
Arc Flash Hazard Calculation Studies
In the earlier years of NFPA 70E and the emergence of arc flash protection requirements, many people would use the NFPA 70E Hazard/Risk Tables to determine what arc rated PPE […]
Arc Flash Training – Keeping Skills Current in a Down Economy
Electrical Power Training and Arc Flash Training remain even more important in a down economy. What if you had been stranded on a deserted island for the past five years? […]
IEEE 1584 – 125 kVA Transformer / Less than 240 Volts Exception
One sentence in the IEEE 1584 Standard, IEEE Guide for Performing Arc-Flash Hazard Calculations, frequently has people scratching their heads: Equipment below 240V need not be considered unless it involves […]
Predicting the Arc Flash Duration
Determining the arc flash duration is the most important piece of information in predicting its severity. The arc flash duration is usually dependent on how fast an upstream protective device will […]
Simplifying Arc Flash Studies – Select the Arc Rating First
Begin at the End – What Answer Would You like to Have? Simplifying the arc flash study – Would you like to know a little secret about how to simplify an […]
U.K. Article – Arc Flash – Not Just an Electrocution Hazard – Part 3
Arc Flash – The need for risk assessment is embodied in European Law through directive 89/391 and is transposed into UK Law through Management of Health and Safety at Work […]
How Did We Get Here? The History of Electrical Safety
It seems like the more you attempt to learn about arc flash and electrical safety, the more confusing it becomes. A mixture of letters such as OSHA, NFPA 70E, NEC, […]
Arc Flash – Unplugged
Arc Flash – Dynamite, gasoline, gunpowder and electricity: What do these have in common? Each one can explode. Something as simple as the slip of a screwdriver can cause the […]
United Kingdom Article – Fear of Flashover
This article by Jim Phillips of the U.S. and Mike Frain of the U.K. elevated the awareness of the electrical flashover (arc flash) hazard in Europe to a new level. […]
