|
Is your business 70E
compliant?
An Arc Flash is a dangerous
condition associated with the explosive release of energy caused
by an electrical arc due to either a phase to ground or phase to
phase fault.
As employees work on or near
energized equipment, movement near or contact with conductors or
circuits, such as dropping a part or tool, may cause a
phase-to-ground or a phase-to-phase fault. Also, an equipment
failure that could produce a spark or arc could trigger an arcing
fault. The resulting arc establishes plasma, which has a much
higher degree of electrical conductivity than air.
Hazardous flash can occur in any
electrical device, regardless of voltage, in which energy is high enough
to sustain an arc. This includes many 440V motor control centers, panel
boards, and switch boards. An arc of this type, while typically less
than a second in duration, can reach temperatures in excess of
14,000deg.F--high enough to produce extensive first degree burns,
permanent blindness, or death.
NFPA 70E specifies protective equipment including flash resistant
clothing and face shielding. All personnel within the defined boundaries
must wear specified protective equipment.
|
