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WHAT IS AN ARC
FLASH?
Let's face it, arc flash
analysis is essential. An Arc Flash is an electrical explosion
created by the rapid release of energy due
to an arcing fault between phase to phase,
phase to neutral and phase to ground.
Arc flash explosions cause damage to
electrical equipment, surrounding equipment,
and personnel. Flash temperatures may exceed
35,000° F (this is four times the
surface of the sun). Such high temperatures
rapidly heat the surrounding air creating
extreme pressures, resulting in an arc
blast. The Arc Flash is sustained by highly
conductive plasma. The flash plasma consists
of conductive vaporized particles of
copper, steel, and other material. The
violent result of this event is destruction
of
equipment, fire, and severe injury or death
to anyone nearby. An arc flash
analysis helps protect you from this real
danger.
WHAT CAUSES AN ARC FLASH?
There are a variety of causes
for an Arc
Flash. An arc flash analysis will show
you that by being educated and aware
of the hazard, most of these causes are preventable.
Most arc flashes happen when
an electrical system is disturbed, such as
maintenance personnel working on
live equipment while testing or repairing
and accidentally causing a fault.
Dropped tools, poor housekeeping, corrosion
of equipment, lack of training
and poor work techniques, are some of the
causes that can lead to a
destructive arc flash.
WHAT CAN BE EXPECTED IF YOU ARE EXPOSED
TO AN ARC FLASH?
Exposure to an arc flash frequently results
in a variety of serious injuries and in
some cases death. Workers have been injured
even though they were ten feet or
more away from the arc center. Worker
injuries can include damaged hearing,
eyesight, and severe burns requiring years
of skin grafting and rehabilitation.
Equipment can be destroyed causing extensive
downtime and requiring expensive
replacement and repair. The cost of
treatment for the injured worker can exceed
$1,000,000/case. Significant litigation
fees, insurance increases, fines, and
accident
investigation costs can occur. This does not
include work in progress loss or job layoffs
as
a result of the process interruption. These
cumulative costs can exceed $10,000,000.
Can you afford to not have an arc flash
analysis performed?
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