Arc Flash Analysis

Electrical safety is the focus of this 2-day course. First, you will learn to identify requirements and responsibilities from safety standards and codes (NFPA 70E-2018, IEEE 1584, NESC 410A). Next, you will examine methods for identifying and calculating arc flash hazards. Finally, we will analyze equipment selection and operational strategies to reduce risks.

UPDATE:  IEEE-1584-2018, IEEE Guide for Performing Arc Flash Hazard Calculations, was just released with the document's first update in 16 years. As part of this course, we will also look at the impact the new release will have on those using IEEE-1584 to perform hazard calculations.

• Plant, facility, and corporate electrical engineers dealing with one or more company distribution systems
• Utility distribution, power quality, and customer service engineers
• Consulting engineers dealing with customers' systems
• Experienced electrical contractors who manage arc flash studies or electrical arc flash programs

An Overview of Fault Current Analysis

• Fault current sources
• Short circuit current parameters
• Actual fault types
• Balanced fault analysis
• Impedance diagrams
• Fault current calculations

An Introduction to Arc Flash Calculations

• Causes of electrical flash events
• Why perform arc flash studies? Who should perform them?

Relevant Arc Flash Standards and Their Significance

• OSHA 29
• NFPA 70
• NFPA 70E
• IEEE Standard 1584
• NESC 410A3

Arc Flash Calculation Procedure

• Arc flash equations: arcing fault current, incident energy, arc flash boundary, and default values

Calculation Methodology

• Overview of protective device coordination
• Understanding time-current curves
• Fault current vs. energy released
• Calculating with uncertainty
• Protective device trip time

Arc Flash Calculations Continued

• Accumulated energy
• Minimum and maximum faults
• Use of tolerances
• Current-limited devices

Computer Demonstration of Arc Fault Calculations

• Data needed
• Options available
• Typical calculations

Electric Utility Arc Flash Programs

• Comparing NFPA 70E to NESC requirements
• Empirical, proprietary, and software calculations
• 1-Phase vs 3-Phase analysis / impacts
• Distribution utility equipment impacts
• Padmount transformers & switches
• Vaults & manholes
• Overhead line impact & analysis
• Substation / switchgear

Data Collection Process

• How to improve outcomes
• Data collection activities & skillsets
• Obstacles in data collection
• Required equipment/device information
• Understanding short-circuit ratings

Mitigating Risk of Arc Flash Hazards

• Clearly understanding Risk vs Hazard
• Overview of electrical equipment
• How to reduce arc flash levels
• Fuse-protected vs. non-fuse-protected circuit breakers
• Arc-resistant switchgear
• Arc flash label issues
• Safety: the overriding concern

"Class had a lot to offer; met and exceeded my expectations...received lots of helpful information in order to develop a safe and reliable Arc Flash program—breaker ratings and load vs. line ratings—reduce severity and risk of arc flash incident."
—Craig May, City Brewery, La Crosse, Wisconsin 

"I feel much more comfortable with the knowledge I now have to be able to perform a study, from what data to gather, coordination issues, and considerations when providing hazard levels/labels."
—Serge Robillard, Costello Associates, Sudbury, Ontario

Jim Dungar

Jim Dungar, P.E., is a Principal Engineer with Schneider Electric Engineering Services, LLC in Kaukauna, Wisconsin. He is the responsible Engineer for Engineering Services in the states of Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. These services include power system studies, designs, and monitoring for Square D customers, as well as engineering support for Square D’s field service operations. He is knowledgeable in power system design, grounding, protection equipment, and power quality. Jim received his B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering from Michigan Technological University in 1978 and an MBA from UW–Oshkosh, Wisconsin, in 1989. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in the states of Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Brian Boysen

Brian Boysen, P.E., is the Protection Engineering Manager for WEC Energy Group, responsible for Distribution Protection. He is responsible for protection engineers covering both urban and rural electrical distribution systems in eastern and northern Wisconsin and portions of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. He also directs arc flash studies and programs and is an active member of IEEE Power System Relay Committee including Chairman of the working group for IEEE C37.230, “Guide for Protective Relay Applications to Distribution Lines.”Prior to joining WEC Energy Group, Brian was an officer in the Navy and received his B.S. Degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Iowa State University. He is a licensed engineer in the state of Wisconsin.