Understanding Electrical Arc Flash
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Understanding Electrical Arc Flash
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), an arc flash is “a dangerous condition associated with the release of energy caused by an electric arc.” Explosions associated with arc flash can cause severe burns, injuries and/or death. Understanding arc flash is the first step to guarding against it.
Often, the most serious injuries associated with electrical accidents are caused by the effects of arc flash, not electrocution. When an arc flash occurs, tremendous amounts of energy are instantaneously released creating the potential for serious or fatal injuries. Among the most dangerous conditions are:
Radiant Heat: Temperatures associated with arc flash can exceed 35,000º F at the arc source. This temperature is nearly four times the temperature of the Sun! At these temperatures, matter instantaneously vaporizes.
Fire: A conductive-plasma fireball can develop during an arc flash. Fatal burns may occur at distances of more than 10 feet from the source of the flash. In addition to burns, flammable clothing may ignite.
Arc Blast: The high temperatures associated with arc flash rapidly heat the surrounding air causing a high-pressure wave or blast. Injuries associated with blast include falls, concussions and hearing damage.
Flying Objects: Flying debris created by damaged components can also cause serious injury. In the heat of an arc flash, copper can expand by a factor of 67,000 times as it vaporizes. Shrapnel and molten metal can cause injuries at significant distances from an arc source.
Thermographer safety is one of the many topics covered in the Infraspection Institute Level I Certified Infrared Thermographer® training course. For more information including course locations and dates, visit Infraspection Institute online or call us at 609-239-4788.
