Class 3 Arc Protection
Understanding Arc Flash — ARC 3
Class 3 Arc Protection: 25–39 cal/cm²
ARC 3 sits between everyday switching outerwear and the highest-energy ARC 4 tier — built for teams facing elevated incident energy who also need genuine weatherproofing. ProGARM’s ARC 3 range is led by the GORE-TEX® PYRAD® Stretch collection: certified arc flash protection with waterproof, breathable performance built in.
What does ARC 3 mean?
ProGARM uses ARC 1 to ARC 4 to describe ELIM ratings from the Open Arc Test (IEC 61482-1-1) — the highest incident energy a garment can withstand with a 0% probability of injury. ARC 3 covers 25–39 cal/cm², and ProGARM’s GORE-TEX® PYRAD® Stretch garments in this tier are rated ELIM 30 cal/cm² (ATPV 40 cal/cm²) and classified APC 2 under the Box Test (passing at 7kA / 320 kJ).
For the full breakdown of how ARC ratings, ELIM, ATPV, EBT50 and APC classifications are calculated, see ProGARM’s guide to Arc Risk Category Levels.
ARC tiers at a glance
| Tier | ELIM Range | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| ARC 1 | 4–7 cal/cm² | Low voltage work, layered systems, baselayers |
| ARC 2 | 8–25 cal/cm² | Standard outerwear for routine maintenance and switching |
| ARC 3 | 25–39 cal/cm² | Outerwear for elevated incident energy — GORE-TEX® PYRAD® Stretch, APC 2 |
| ARC 4 | 40+ cal/cm² | High-voltage switching — Arc 4 Switching Suit with PYRAD® Technology, APC 2 |
Who needs ARC 3 protection?
The right ARC tier for any task is set by a documented arc flash risk assessment, not by job title alone — but ARC 3 is most commonly specified for:
- Utilities and grid maintenance tasks with elevated incident energy but not full switching operations
- Outdoor work in changeable weather where waterproofing can’t come at the cost of arc protection
- Substation and switchgear tasks in industrial electrical and power generation environments
- Trackside and lineside work in the rail sector requiring both arc protection and RIS-3279-TOM high visibility
- Roles that sit between standard ARC 2 outerwear and the highest-energy ARC 4 switching tier
If you haven’t yet completed an arc flash study for these tasks, ProGARM’s specialists can help you scope one — speak to a specialist.
The ProGARM GORE-TEX® PYRAD® Stretch range
ProGARM’s ARC 3 range is built around the GORE-TEX® PYRAD® Stretch collection — waterproof, windproof, arc-rated outerwear that brings genuine weather protection to a 30 cal/cm² (APC 2) garment without the stiffness of older-style PPE. Where earlier waterproof arc flash clothing traded comfort for protection, PYRAD® Stretch technology is engineered to be soft-to-touch with quick re-dry times, so wearers stay both dry and mobile through a full shift outdoors.
30 cal/cm²
ELIM rating (40 cal/cm² ATPV) at APC 2
Waterproof
EN 343 Class 4/4/X weather protection built in
8 standards
Certified as a genuine multi-norm garment
Underneath the waterproofing, the arc-rated GORE-TEX PYRAD® membrane blocks heat flow during an arc event the same way it does in ProGARM’s ARC 4 range, but tuned to the 30 cal/cm² tier. The articulated design improves fit and ergonomics for bending and stretching, with features like concealed snappers for hood attachment, ProGARM® HEX reflective tape, and adjustable cuffs built in as standard. Full range detail is on the GORE-TEX® PYRAD collection page.
Build your ARC 3 kit
The GORE-TEX® PYRAD® Stretch range is a complete system — jacket, trousers and detachable hood — available in male and female specific fits, each independently tested and rated to ELIM 30 cal/cm² (APC 2).
The GORE-TEX® PYRAD® Stretch range is also available in a Hi-Vis Orange colourway (jacket references WJ240M and WJ240F), for teams standardising on orange hi-vis rather than yellow/navy.
Certified across eight European standards
Every garment in the ARC 3 GORE-TEX® PYRAD® Stretch range is independently tested and certified — not just for arc flash, but for weather, chemical splash, UV, welding-adjacent heat and electrostatic risk in a single multi-norm garment:
This combination makes the GORE-TEX® PYRAD® Stretch range a genuine multi-norm garment — arc, thermal, chemical, weather, UV and anti-static protection built into a single certified system rather than layered guesswork. It’s backed by ProGARM’s Lifetime Seam Guarantee, and fitted with ThermSAFE fastenings — zips, poppers and Velcro engineered from military-grade, non-spark FR materials that keep functioning after an arc event.
Choosing the right level for your team
ARC 3 fills the gap between routine ARC 2 outerwear and the highest-energy ARC 4 switching tier — but it’s still a specific answer to a specific calculated risk, not a default upgrade. Before specifying the GORE-TEX® PYRAD® Stretch range:
- Identify the task and incident energy using your arc flash study or a documented risk assessment at the working distance.
- Confirm the incident energy falls in the 25–39 cal/cm² range — if it exceeds 40 cal/cm², or the task involves confined switching, ARC 4 protection is required instead.
- Fit the complete system — jacket, trousers and hood — rather than mixing a PYRAD® outer layer with unrated accessories.
If you haven’t completed a risk assessment, or you’re unsure whether your team’s tasks call for ARC 2 or ARC 3 protection, ProGARM’s specialists can help. Request a quote or speak to a specialist today.
Ready to specify ARC 3 protection?
Speak to ProGARM’s specialist team about the GORE-TEX® PYRAD® Stretch range, sizing, bulk orders, or custom branding for your team.
Request a Quote View GORE-TEX® CollectionRelated resources
- Arc Risk Category Levels — full guide to ARC 1–4, ELIM, ATPV, EBT50 and APC classifications
- Class 4 Arc Protection — the tier above ARC 3, for the highest incident energies
- EN Standards & Certifications — every standard ProGARM garments are tested to
- Utilities PPE — sector guidance for grid and outdoor maintenance work
- In-House Testing Laboratory — how ProGARM verifies every garment before certification
- Arc Flash FAQs — common questions on ratings, care and compliance