Saturday, September 14, 2013

Essential Facts You Need To Know About Arc Flash Analysis

By Lila Berger


Accidents happen in the most unlikely places and they are always unexpected. On a technology driven world, the presence of electrical circuit that powers our individual lives are susceptible to these types of accidents as well. This poses a safety hazard for anyone exposed to this circuit and that is why a comprehensive arc flash analysis is necessary to give advantage to the safety for anyone.

Arc flash is a discharge of electricity that results from a high voltage source. It uses the oxygen that is abundant all around to power itself for the explosion. The electricity that is released in the air can easily chain itself to another exposed electrical devices that are within the area.

The short circuit happens rapidly but produces vast amount of heat and energy. It is capable of melting nearby metals and destroying the electric circuits. This is capable of producing temperatures higher than the surface of the sun as some scientists suggested. Plasma can be produce as well through an explosion that carries shrapnel, intense electromagnetic radiation and dangerous sound waves.

Furthermore, this makes it a complete safety hazard for anyone in the area. The analysis provides little protection to the people against such risks but it does provide a buffer zone that guards workers from the heating effect of the flash. This occurrence is responsible to numerous electrical injuries and some even resulted to death.

This occurrence only happens when there is high voltage conductor nearby. Corrosion, accidental gaps in insulation and unintended static electricity are the factors that contribute for the air to enter the system and serve as a conduit for an explosion. Since this is a powerful burst of energy it needs a lot of power, around 600 volts or higher, to make the blast possible.

The energy is capable of expanding so quickly that it creates a rapid plasma reaction with the oxygen present all around which poses tremendous danger to the surrounding structures. It has been observed that due to the extreme rise of the temperature it is capable of scorching anyone that is positioned for a several feet away. Vaporization of metal is highly possible which causes explosive hot gases and melted metal to fly in any directions.

The incidence can be greatly lowered by taking proper care of handling electronic devices and wiring. Burns can be prevented as well by wearing cotton and any fire resistant clothing. This can be prevented with proper knowledge and safety procedures in handling high voltage devices.

The household involvement of such electrical accident is lower compared to the professional working environment. The chances for this incidence to happen is directly proportionate to the number of high voltage appliances present in the vicinity. Usually, it is always the electricians that are in danger.

Arc flash analysis measures the danger level of this incidence and how much it can affect anyone. The incident is carefully calculated regarding the needed energy for the blast to cause second degree burn. They also establish flash protection boundary where they set a safety zone from the blast. It is beneficial in so many ways for the workers to have a clear idea of where it is safe and where it is not.




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