Understanding the Hazards of Arc Flash Incidents by Littelfuse Startco
Littelfuse Startco highlights the dangers of arc flash incidents, emphasizing the costly and dangerous consequences such as fires, burns, injuries, and even fatalities. The case study of an electrician's severe burns serves as a stark reminder of the potential risks associated with electrical hazards. The company also sheds light on the types of electrical hazards, including electric shock, arc flash, and arc blast, along with the devastating effects these incidents can have on both workers and businesses.
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Presentation Transcript
LITTELFUSE STARTCO Littelfuse Startco Arc Flash Relay PGR-8800 1
LITTELFUSE STARTCO Arc Faults: Costly and Dangerous Dangers Fires Burns Injury Death Costs Collateral damage Equipment replacement Downtime Labour 2
LITTELFUSE STARTCO Arc Flash / Blast Statistics Over 1000 people die each year from electrical accidents* Up to 10 Arc-Flash incidents occur each day in the US Over 2000 workers are sent to burn centers each year with severe Arc-Flash burns. OSHA states that 80% of electrically related accidents and fatalities among Qualified Workers are caused by Arc- Flash/Arc-Blast Incidents. * Source: National Safety Council 3
LITTELFUSE STARTCO Case Study Nov 12, 2009 Chiller Easton Ice Rink, Columbus, Ohio An electrician was working on a 480V power panel when the panel sparked and caught fire The electrician was thrown to the floor and eventually transported to the OSU Burn Center with severe burns on face and hands. Witnesses reported the panel was still sparking when the fire crews arrived. * Source: Dayton Daily News 4
LITTELFUSE STARTCO Types of Electrical Hazards Electric Shock - trauma caused by the passage of electric current through the body. Arc-Flash an unexpected sudden release of intense heat and light energy produced by electricity traveling through air, usually caused by accidental contact between live conductors. Arc-Blast - a pressure wave created by heating, melting, vaporization, and expansion of conducting material and surrounding air during an Arc-Flash. 5
LITTELFUSE STARTCO Types of Electrical Hazards Shock Arc-Blast Arc-Flash Fire Gases Light Sound Pressure Wave 6
LITTELFUSE STARTCO Effects of Electrical Hazards on Workers Severe burns Vision damage or blindness Hearing loss Broken bones or internal organ damage Whiplash Brain injuries Lacerations Fatality Photos courtesy of OSHA 7
LITTELFUSE STARTCO Effects of Electrical Hazards on Business Costly Damage Equipment replacement and need for capital Equipment repair costs Downtime Production Loss (scrap) Image from IEEE Electrical Safety Workshop, Floyd, Doan, Barrios, Wellman and business interruption. Image from IEEE Electrical Safety Workshop, H. Landis Floyd, II 8
LITTELFUSE STARTCO What Determines Arc-Flash Severity? System Voltage Arc Characteristics Arc gap / Distance from arc Fault Current Available fault current Arc current typically 38% of available fault current Image from OSHA Office of Training & Education Time Clearing time 9
LITTELFUSE STARTCO Initiators of these faults IEEE Std 493-1997 (Gold Book) Recommended Practice for the Design of Reliable Industrial and Commercial Power Systems 10
LITTELFUSE STARTCO Development of an Arc Fault Voltage difference between two conductors (250V) separated by air gap, high resistance Voltage reaches breakdown point, rapid release of energy across gap Shortest distance from bus bar corner to bolt corner Usually phase-to-phase or phase-to-ground Energy limited only by system resistance, air gap impedance 11
LITTELFUSE STARTCO Lifespan of an Arc Fault 1. 4. 2. 5. 3. 6. 12
Lifespan of an Arc Fault LITTELFUSE STARTCO 50 kA bolted fault between 480 Vac and ground 13
Effects of an Arc Fault Plenty of Hazards to Choose From LITTELFUSE STARTCO 14
LITTELFUSE STARTCO Examples of Arc Faults 15
LITTELFUSE STARTCO Arc Flash Relay PGR-8800 Series 1ms reaction time Detects light Point sensors (A) Fiber optic sensor (B) Detect over-currents Phase CTs (3) Any CT with 5A sec. Link upto (4) AF Relays Larger systems 16
PGR-8800 Functions & Features LITTELFUSE STARTCO Six light sensors Built-in front sensor Adjustable light sensitivity 1000 event logging Dual inputs for switches or PLC Fail-safe operation Local USB interface No drivers or s/w req d 17
LITTELFUSE STARTCO PGR-8800 Wiring Diagram 18
LITTELFUSE STARTCO PGA-LS10 - Point Sensors The sensor can be also be mounted to see through the back of the cabinet. Coverage Half-Circle 10 m 120% Range is 2 to 2.5 meters 3.5 mm 100% 8 mm Sensor Lens Red LED for Circuit-check & Visual Diagnostics 52 mm 360 360 Mounting Holes (front / back) 32 mm 80% 100% 100% 80% Point Sensor 19
LITTELFUSE STARTCO PGA-LS20 - Fiber-Optic Sensors 26 ft flexible fiber 360 detection angle LED for visual feedback Built-in circuit check Electrically extendable Plug-in connector One fiber-optic sensor can replace several point sensors 20
LITTELFUSE STARTCO Multi-Unit Installation Example LINK Switchboard Supply 2 L1 L2 L3 Trip Electrical cables Sensors Detecting Arc Fiber-Optic Sensor Point Sensors System can be expanded with up to four PGR-8800 Modules 21
LITTELFUSE STARTCO PGR-8800 Applications Transformer secondary 3 x 22 kV Transformer primary 3 x 690 V Air-cooled transformers are sensitive to contaminants, affecting the resistance of the air gap between electrical connections (phases, bolted connections etc.) 22
LITTELFUSE STARTCO PGR-8800 Applications 23
LITTELFUSE STARTCO Additional Information www.startco.ca/arcflash Datasheet Product Manual Brochure Littelfuse Startco: 306-373-5505 Arc Flash Relay Brochure PF136 Datasheet 24
