WHAT IS ARC FLASH?
Find out what it is, what causes it and how to prevent it
What is an Arc Flash?
An Arc Flash occurs when an electrical discharge travels through the air and releases an intense burst of energy. This flash is capable of causing serious harm to anyone caught by it, so adequate Arc Flash protection is of the utmost importance.
The energy expelled by an Arc Flash event can be deadly, with temperatures reaching up to 35,000ºF or more than 19,000ºC. It goes without saying; this can burn clothing and human skin within fractions of a second, even if the operative is situated five or six metres away from the Arc Flash event.
The cause of an arc flash typically stems from contact between an energized conductor, such as a bus bar or wire, and another conductor or grounded surface. This can occur due to equipment failure, uninsulated tools, or damaged cables. While it is often assumed that high voltage systems are more prone to arc flash incidents, studies have shown that low voltage systems can be equally, if not more, hazardous. Variables such as the current flow, gap size between conductors, electrode composition, and surrounding environmental factors all influence the severity of the arc flash.
