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When a bomb goes off, the further you are from the explosion, the safer you will be. This same concept also applies if an arc flash incident occurs. Whether you are a properly protected qualified person performing the work or just an observer, the distance between you and the arc flash can make all the difference in the world.
Minor sparks? Deadly explosion? An arc flash calculation study, typically based on equations from IEEE 1584, can be used to predict how much incident energy (IE) in calories/centimeter2 (cal/cm2) can reach a worker. This assumes the person is standing at a specific distance from the source of the arc known as the “working distance”. Depending on the type of equipment, this “working distance” as it is called, is typically defined as either 18 or 36 inches however other distances may be used.
Once the incident energy (IE) has been calculated, it can be used to select the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). This seems simple enough, but caution must be used because the calculated IE is based on the “working distance” between the potential arc source and the worker’s torso, face and head. Move closer and the incident energy can go up dramatically.
What about a person’s hands and arms? NFPA 70E 130.3(B)(1) states
“…as the distance from the arc flash decreases, additional PPE shall be used for any parts of the body that are closer than the distance at which the incident energy was determined”.
Since hands and other parts of the body will likely be closer, additional protection is usually necessary.
Incident energy also decreases as the distance is increased. The energy drops off as the inverse square of the distance. As an example, if a person standing one foot away from the arc could receive an incident energy of 8 cal/cm2, doubling the distance to two feet will reduced the incident energy from 8 cal/cm2 to approximately 2 cal/cm2 or ¼ of its original value – quite a drop!
I use the word “approximately” because the actual rate at which the energy decreases is also dependent on the type of equipment. An arc flash in open air does drop off as the inverse distance squared. However, if the arc flash occurs inside an enclosure such as a panel or motor control center, the energy behaves more like it is being shot out of a cannon and a greater distance will be required.
According to NFPA 70E, the Arc Flash Boundary Definition is: When an arc flash hazard exists, an approach limit from an arc source at which incident energy equals 1.2 cal/cm2
People that are not adequately protected must stay away from a potential arc flash source at a minimum distance equal to the Arc Flash Boundary.
Since 1.2 cal/cm2 is widely accepted as the minimum energy that can cause the onset of a second degree burn, the Arc Flash Boundary is the minimum distance required to reach this level. Stand any closer and there is a possibility of serious burn injury – or worse!
The results of an arc flash calculation study will likely produce a different Arc Flash Boundary for each piece of equipment depending on its individual upstream protective device clearing time and the available short circuit current. With the possibility of so many different boundaries, it can be easy to make a mistake.
A simpler approach is to adopt one standardized AFPB. This requires that the study results are reviewed and the largest boundary within reason is adopted. I suggest “within reason” because it is possible to have an unusually large AFB that may not be realistic. The existing IEEE 1584 formulas use the protective device clearing time as one of the many input variables. If the arcing short circuit current is low, a protective device’s time current characteristic may indicate an unusually long clearing time, perhaps tens of seconds.
This can result in an AFB of 100 feet or more. For lower level arcing currents? Is this realistic? Probably not, but presently there is not enough research available to determine what a reasonable time cut off should be. IEEE 1584 currently suggests a maximum cut of time of 2 seconds depending on individual circumstances.
Let’s say an arc flash study shows AFBs from 0.5 feet to 5.3 feet. Using the simplified method, a standardized AFPB can be based on the largest value of 5.3 feet. Perhaps round it up to 6 feet. This makes the electrical safety program much easier.
The AFB in this case? Six feet – period! People within this boundary must be trained, qualified and wearing proper protection. If not – keep out of the way!
Originally published in the November 2009 Edition of Electrical Contractor Magazine
Jim Phillips, P.E.
About Jim Phillips, P.E.: Electrical Power and Arc Flash Training Programs – For over 30 years, Jim Phillips has been helping tens of thousands of people around the world, understand electrical power system design, analysis, arc flash and electrical safety. Jim is Vice Chair of IEEE 1584 and International Chairman of IEC TC78 Live Working. He has developed a reputation for being one of the best trainers in the electric power industry, Learn More.
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