Arc Flash Analysis

Current regulations make arc flash risk assessments mandatory if an employee is working on or around energized equipment rated above 50V, or if the facility has service equipment rated at 1200A or more for states that have adopted the latest version of the NEC. TÜV SÜD Global Risk Consultants performs short-circuit, protective device coordination and arc flash risk analysis to ensure compliance and safety in your facility. In addition, we offer services like training for your employees to help them to operate safely in the work environment.

WHAT IS AN ARC FLASH?

An arc flash occurs either when an electric current pass through air between conductors or from a conductor to ground instead of its intended path; temperatures can reach as high as 35,000° Fahrenheit! Arc flash conditions can occur when work is being conducted on energized equipment, or during an electrical equipment failure.

WHY ARE ARC FLASH RISK ASSESSMENTS IMPORTANT?

An arc flash risk assessment is part of a complete electrical analysis required by OSHA, NFPA 70E and NFPA 70. It determines the incident energy to which a worker may be exposed to and how to protect the worker from the heat, light, and blast associated with an arc flash accident.

An arc flash risk assessment is performed to:

• Determine over-dutied electrical devices
• Determine miscoordination of overcurrent protection devices
• Determine the proper personal protective equipment (PPE) required for protecting the worker
• Ensure full compliance with the arc flash codes and standards
• Facilitate safe work conditions

PHASES FOR COMPLETING A SUCCESSFUL ARC FLASH RISK ASSESSMENT

1. Phase 1 – Field Survey

• Gather data on the facility’s electrical distribution system.

2. Phase 2 – Electrical One-line

• Create electrical one-line in AutoCAD using the information gathered during our site visit.

3. Phase 3 – Data Entry/ Analysis

• Build a model of the electrical distribution in an electrical analysis program using the electrical one-line created in AutoCAD.
• Perform short-circuit analysis on the electrical equipment.
• Perform protective device coordination analysis on circuit breaker, fuses and relays.
• Perform arc flash risk analysis on the electrical equipment.

4. Phase 4 – Draft/ Final Reports

• Issue a draft report to the client for review and comments.
• Identify in a tabular format electrical equipment that failed the short-circuit analysis.
• Issue a final report, incorporating the comments.

5. Phase 5 – Label Installation

• Print arc flash labels on self-adhesive sticky back label paper.
• Project Closeout.

TÜV SÜD GLOBAL RISK CONSULTANTS CAN HELP YOUR COMPANY STAY SAFE

The TÜV SÜD GRC Arc Flash service team is led by our electrical P.E. and is licensed throughout the United States to deliver a consistent, high quality service regardless of geographic location. Our team of highly skilled electrical engineers will identify any code or electrical safety violations during the survey. In addition to providing short circuit analysis, protective device coordination study and one-line electrical diagram we will also work with your team to develop a training program to prepare your employees to operate safely in this environment.

TÜV SÜD GRC differentiates form our competitors due to:

• Prior to commencing any project, we point out our clients the phases of the project and we update our main point of contact once each phase is completed.
• We bring arc flash risk assessment uniformity across all their facilities. The reports, one-lines and arc flash labels will look the same across all sites
• Per NFPA 70E an arc flash risk assessment is required to be re-done every 5 years. We take a proactive approach, where we contact the utility within 3 years to find out, if any changes occurred on their side and inform our client of these changes, by re-running the current study.
• We always perform a short-circuit study
• We always perform a coordination study
• We list all observations highlighting all code issues. Immediate electrical dangers are pointed out during our survey.
• We install the arc flash labels and explain the meaning of the labels to your staff.
• We always provide one-line diagrams.
• We always provide a conference call to explain our findings and to answer any questions.

CLIENT TOOLS

• GRC Connect

• Impairment/Hot Work Permit