Nowadays, more people are starting to realize the importance of arc flash analysis, in order to prevent disastrous losses of equipment and human lives. Arc flashes are known to not only destroy electrical circuit boards, but also to potentially harm people nearby the incident. They are strong, fast and extremely hot (over 5,000 degrees), and explode from a high voltage generator. They move through the air, as this is their conductor, and have an intense force and brightness. Research in this regard is supported and even possibly funded by the NFPA, National Fire Protection Association, and the IEEE, Electrical and Electronics Engineers.
The flashes can be further explained as an explosion of energy. This occurs because of the weakening of air resistance surrounding a powerful electronic device, which in turn causes the escape of electricity. The electric current usually moves from one live conductor to a nearby ground area, to another live conductor or to a different neutral device.
Although the flashes occur over a very short period of time, they are very dangerous. A number of people have been seriously injured, and the flashes almost always result in the destruction of the involved electrical equipment. They are so dangerous because of the heat at which they occur.
There are certain circumstances which cause these types of flashes to happen. In general, machinery of good condition will not cause a threat, however, if the electrical device is faulty, there could be a potential risk. Faults that could cause an explosion include corrosion, insulation gaps and unintentional static electricity. Only machines generating high voltage, for example, a phase bus bar, will cause explosions because the flashes need a large amount of energy to occur. They are therefore more common in 600 or more voltage generators.
People in an accident of this sort are quite likely to sustain burns, either from the flash itself or from hot metals that are air-born from the explosion. Hot gases pose a threat as well. The energy and heat of the flashes rise in intensity very quickly, and cause a fast plasma reaction in the air. Past flashes have been noted as over 5,000 degrees by scientists.
People who work around machines that produce high voltages may find it safer to wear garments that are fire-resistant, in case of an explosion. However, explosions are less likely to occur if the machines are in good repair, and the right tools are available.
Wiring should be well maintained as well, and companies should operate in accordance to OSHA regulations. Nearby the potential source of flashes, workers have a risk of receiving burns of a second degree nature.
The 'flash protection boundary' is the area in which a person that has no protective gear has a fifty percent chance of sustaining a 2nd degree burn. People who are responsible for arc flash analysis should keep this boundary in mind. It is also wise to ensure they wear the correct PPE for the work.
The flashes can be further explained as an explosion of energy. This occurs because of the weakening of air resistance surrounding a powerful electronic device, which in turn causes the escape of electricity. The electric current usually moves from one live conductor to a nearby ground area, to another live conductor or to a different neutral device.
Although the flashes occur over a very short period of time, they are very dangerous. A number of people have been seriously injured, and the flashes almost always result in the destruction of the involved electrical equipment. They are so dangerous because of the heat at which they occur.
There are certain circumstances which cause these types of flashes to happen. In general, machinery of good condition will not cause a threat, however, if the electrical device is faulty, there could be a potential risk. Faults that could cause an explosion include corrosion, insulation gaps and unintentional static electricity. Only machines generating high voltage, for example, a phase bus bar, will cause explosions because the flashes need a large amount of energy to occur. They are therefore more common in 600 or more voltage generators.
People in an accident of this sort are quite likely to sustain burns, either from the flash itself or from hot metals that are air-born from the explosion. Hot gases pose a threat as well. The energy and heat of the flashes rise in intensity very quickly, and cause a fast plasma reaction in the air. Past flashes have been noted as over 5,000 degrees by scientists.
People who work around machines that produce high voltages may find it safer to wear garments that are fire-resistant, in case of an explosion. However, explosions are less likely to occur if the machines are in good repair, and the right tools are available.
Wiring should be well maintained as well, and companies should operate in accordance to OSHA regulations. Nearby the potential source of flashes, workers have a risk of receiving burns of a second degree nature.
The 'flash protection boundary' is the area in which a person that has no protective gear has a fifty percent chance of sustaining a 2nd degree burn. People who are responsible for arc flash analysis should keep this boundary in mind. It is also wise to ensure they wear the correct PPE for the work.
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