Arc Flash Hazard Calculator

Product Description

• Easy to use software make Arc Flash simple.
• Calculator-style interface makes complex calculations easy to understand.
• Download Link also emailed to you after you order.
• Design safer power systems while insuring compliance with NEC 110.16, OSHA, NFPA 70E and IEEE 1584 standards.
• Avoid potential fines, lost productivity, and increased insurance.
• Create warning labels in English, French or Spanish.
• Calculate arc blast explosion pressure and arc TNT equivalent.
• Save time by generating arc flash warning labels in electronic .JPG and .BMP
• Customize labels by selecting and adding information displayed on them.
• Perform analysis using metric (mm, Joules ), imperial units (inches, calories)

The IEEE 1584 empirically derived model was chosen for the analyzing arc flash faults since the model is capable to accurately account for variety of setup parameters: open and box equipment configurations, grounding of all types and ungrounded, gap between conductors of 3 to 152 mm., bolted fault currents in the range of 700A to 106kA, system voltages in the range of 208V to 15kV, and working distances. For cases where voltage is over 15kV or gap is outside the range of the model, the theoretically derived Lee method can be applied and it is now included in the Arc Flash Analytic v4.1.

When the IEEE 1584 Empirically Derived Model mode is activated, the calculator takes equipment configuration, gap between electrodes, grounding type, short circuit fault current value and system voltage on input, and determines arcing fault current at potential point of fault. Next, the incident energy, flash protection boundary and level of personnel protective equipment are determined based on equipment configuration, arc duration and working distance.

For protective devices operating in the steep portion of their time-current curves, a small change in current causes a big change in operating time. Incident energy is linear with time, so arc current variation may have a big effect on incident energy. The IEEE 1584 solution is to make two arc current and energy calculations: one using the calculated expected arc current and one using a reduced arc current that is 15% lower.

The calculator makes possible both calculations for each case considered. The IEEE 1584 Empirically Derived Model procedure for system voltages less than 15kV requires that an operating time be determined for both the expected arc current and the reduced arc current. Incident energy is calculated for both sets of arc currents and operating times and the larger incident energy is taken as the model result. This solution was developed by comparing the results of arc current calculations using the best available arc current equation with actual measured arc current in the test database. The calculator predicts arcing fault current for a given configuration and bolted fault short circuit current. It also predicts bolted fault current required to cause 15% reduction of the predicted arcing current for the given configuration.

It was found to be difficult to calculate incident energy in circuits protected by current-limiting fuses because of the reduced arc time and limited let-through current. Therefore, tests were conducted to determine the effect of current-limiting fuses on incident energy. Formulas for calculating arc-flash energies for use with current-limiting Class L and Class RK1 fuses have been developed. These formulas were developed based upon testing at 600 V and a distance of 455 mm (18in.) using one manufacturer's fuses but results with other manufacturers' fuses of the same class should be similar.

Study has shown that in some cases a shortcut can be taken in analysis of the incident energy on equipment protected by upstream circuit breakers. AFA V4.1 contains the shortcut allowing a calculation of incident energy if the potential arc current falls in the instantaneous trip range of the circuit breaker. Equations have been developed for systems using low-voltage circuit breakers that will output values for incident energy and flash-protection boundary when the available bolted fault current is known or can be calculated. These equations do not require availability of the time-current curves for the circuit breaker.

Arc Flash Analytic version 4.1 features estimate of incident energy exposures for live line work on overhead open air systems 1kV to 242kV

Benefits:

• Calculator-style interface makes complex calculations easy to understand.
• Provide a safer working environment by specifying the proper level of PPE. Wearing inadequate clothing is dangerous for obvious reasons, but wearing too much clothing is dangerous due to limited mobility and visibility.
• Design safer power systems while insuring compliance with NEC 110.16, OSHA, NFPA 70E and IEEE 1584 standards.
• Avoid potential fines, lost productivity, and increased insurance and litigation costs.
• Save time by generating arc flash warning labels in electronic JPG, BMP and PDF formats
• Create warning labels in English, French or Spanish languages
• Customize labels by selecting and adding information displayed on them.
• Save input configurations, calculation results for future reference or printing.
• Perform analysis using metric, imperial units, or a mix of both
• Calculate initial arc blast explosion pressure and arc flash TNT (Tri Nitro Toluen / Trotyl ) equivalent

---

Product Details

			v 2.0	v 3.2	v 4.1
CALCULATION MODELS:
1)	IEEE 1584 Empiricaly Derived Model Bolted fault currents in the range of 700A to 106kA Switchgears, MCC, panels, cables, arc in open air Grounding of all types and ungrounded Gaps between conductors of 13mm to 152mm System Voltage 208V to 15kV
2)	Lee method System Voltage 15kV to 46kV Gap is outside the range of the Empirical Model
3)	IEEE 1584 Fuse Equations
4)	IEEE 1584 LV Circuit Breaker Equations
5)	Phase to Ground Arcs in Open Air System Voltages up to 242kV
	INFORMATION DETERMINED AND DISPLAYED ON WARNING LABEL:
	Equipment type Grounding Work distance Available short circuit current Arcing current Flash protection boundary Incident energy Risk category Equipment name
	Two additional lines of information Date created
	Limited, restricted, prohibited shock approach boundaries Initial arc pressure Arc TNT equivalent Typical clothing system
	Save results Use metric and/or imperial units Create label in electronic JPG and BMP formats Create color and black-and-white labels
	Save equipment configuration Alternate label layouts Create label in electronic PDF format
	LABEL INFORMATION DISPLAYED IN:
	English
	French, Spanish
	COMPUTER PLATFORMS:
	Windows 9X, NT, XP, ME
	Windows Vista
	MEDIA FORMATS:
	Online ( Internet Access Required)
	Regular Size CD Business Card Size CD (mini) Webserver Download
	COST:
			$70.00	$130.00	$270.00

ARCAD helps facilities create safer working environments for individuals who service electrical systems by providing PC based software tools for Short Circuit and Arc Flash Hazard Analysis. NFPA requires that any panel likely to be serviced by a worker be surveyed and labeled. ARCAD service includes resources and tools allowing plant and facility managers and personnel to perform short circuit, incident energy, arc flash protection boundary, level of PPE calculations, and create customized arc flash warning labels themselves reducing the cost of obtaining compliance with OSHA, NFPA70E and new Canadian CSA Z462 standards.

---

Customer Reviews

Rating:

"We were surprised that it worked so well - even a lot better than the conventional software we used in the past. We just couldn't shy away from sending you our own success story and to tell you 'well done and keep rolling out such great products'. It was (and still is) money well spent as far as we're concerned."
Cheers, - Warehouse Manager - Ball Corporation, GA

---

Product Video