Arc flash studies should be simple. Jim Phillips shows how to use the incident energy to validate an arc rating selection of PPE. His approach is to perform the arc flash study “backwards” as he describes it. Select the PPE arc rating that is considered reasonable and then use the study results to verify the locations where the arc rating is sufficient.
Jim uses the analogy of short circuit studies where the short circuit calculations are used to verify an interrupting rating. This same approach can be used for arc flash studies. This video is based on Jim’s class “How to Perform an Arc Flash Study” and is also discussed in his book: “Complete Guide to Arc Flash Hazard Calculation Studies”
