Electric arc-flash energy calculations for photovoltaic systems

Flash fire caused by electric arc is different than that caused by flammable liquids/fumes or combustible dusts. A suitable protective clothing for protection against electric arc-flash must be designed as per Indian weather conditions. Currently available garments are manufactured using two or three layers of woven/nonwoven combinations to achieve higher Hazard Risk Category (HRC) rating (level 3 and above). However, they are heavy and not comfortable to the end users. Savesplash® is a single layer inherent flame-retardant knitted fabric. Its arc rating was determined using ASTM standards. It achieved arc thermal performance value (ATPV) of 41 cal/cm2, breakopen threshold energy (E_BT) of 42 cal/cm2 and heat attenuation factor (HAF) of 94% when tested as per ASTM F1959/F1959M-14 which translated into an arc rating of 41 cal/cm2. This is equivalent to HRC level 4 ratings as per National Fire Protection Association’s NFPA 70E standard (USA). Further, cut and sewn gloves (HM-100) developed using Savesplash® fabric reinforced with leather on palm area achieved ATPV of 63 cal/cm2 and HAF of 94.5% when tested as per ASTM F2675/F2675M-13.

Download Full-text

DC Arc Flash Studies for Solar Photovoltaic Systems: Challenges and Recommendations

IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications ◽

10.1109/tia.2015.2431639 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 51 (5) ◽

pp. 4239-4244 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Kathryn Klement

Keyword(s):

Photovoltaic Systems ◽

Solar Photovoltaic ◽

Arc Flash ◽

Dc Arc

Download Full-text

A summary of arc-flash energy calculations

IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications ◽

10.1109/tia.2003.813724 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 39 (4) ◽

pp. 1200-1204 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

D.R. Doan ◽

R.A. Sweigart

Keyword(s):

Energy Calculations ◽

Arc Flash

Download Full-text

IEEE 13-Node Incident Energy Analysis Using Online Platform

10.53316/sepoc2021.057 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

MARINA CAMPONOGARA ◽

ANA PAULA GHESTI MARCHESAN ◽

DANIEL PINHEIRO BERNARDON ◽

RAFAEL GRESSLER MILBRADT ◽

TIAGO BANDEIRA MARCHESAN ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Incident Energy ◽

Energy Analysis ◽

Energy Levels ◽

Electric Arc ◽

Protective Equipment ◽

Boundary Values ◽

Online Platform ◽

Three Phase ◽

Arc Flash ◽

Flash Event

The thermal hazard is considered the most significant hazard from an arc flash event. The protection against this type of hazard is associated with the assessment of incident energy, a study that aims to analyze the possibility of occurrence of an electric arc, the incident energy produced by it and the necessary protections so that the work in electricity is safe. An incident energy analysis is performed to the 634 bus of IEEE 13 Node system using the ATP Draw software to simulate a three-phase shot-circuit and an online platform that runs the IEEE Std 1584-2018 model is employed to obtain the incident energy levels and arc-flash boundary values for different durations of arcing event. As a closing, the personal protective equipment required for the different time scenarios are analyzed, according to the two approaches proposed in NFPA 70E-2021.

Download Full-text