What is Arc Flash?

What is Arc Flash?

With 5-10 arc flash incidents occurring per day, arc flash is a leading cause of death and burn incidents for maintenance staff when servicing electrical control panels. Onsite damages caused by an arc flash incident include: OSHA citations or fines, down time, loss of revenue and equipment damage. In worst case scenarios, arc flash may result in long term disability or even death thereby having a significant impact on the liability of the municipality.

All of these arc flash events usually occur in less than 0.2 seconds and can create:
- Intense heat
- Thermo-acoustic shock wave
- Molten metal
- Shrapnel
- Blinding light
- Toxic smoke
- Contact with energized components

The multiple compartment design of the ARC ARMOR™ Enclosure will limit access to electrical equipment capable of producing arc flash incidents. Electrical control equipment is segregated within an enclosure where only control voltage is present (120V max).

High energy circuits, such as Motor Controls, are located in the MCC Compartment, while low energy circuits, such as controllers and low voltage controls, are located in the Controls Compartment. This allows the maintenance staff to safely work on control circuits with minimum Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Learn more about arc flash phenomena from IEEE/NFPA.