Electrical safety: Know the fundamentals of arc flash mitigation
Thursday, June 20, 2024
Arc flash and electrical safety are critical aspects in a manufacturing facility. Knowing and understanding the fundamentals often mean the difference between life and death. Companies and workers need to stay on top of the electrical codes so they can better protect themselves from a potential accident.
In a manufacturing facility, an arc flash is a dangerous release of energy caused by an electrical fault that occurs in equipment such as circuit breakers, switchgear and other electrical components. This can happen during normal operation of the equipment, as well as during maintenance or repair. The intense heat and bright light generated by an arc flash can cause severe burns and other injuries to workers, as well as damage to equipment and facilities.
An arc flash event can be triggered by several factors such as human error, equipment failure, corrosion, dust, moisture and others. Such an event can happen in several ways, such as a short circuit, a ground fault or a failure of insulation.
Learning objectives:
- Learn about the codes, standards and guidelines to stay on top of, including NFPA 70: National Electrical Code and NFPA 70E: Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace.
- Know what could trigger an electrical safety hazard or even an arc flash event.
- Consider the ways to mitigate electrical hazards, such as ensuring all personnel are wearing personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Review ways to conduct risk assessments, clearly label equipment and require PPE, among other things.