A Summary of Arc Flash

In short, an Arc Flash is a form of electrical explosion.

Electricity is both useful and dangerous; arc flash and electrocution being the major dangers.

The fun facts:

• Possible on low-voltage circuits of 480V or 600V (120V or 208V typically aren’t capable of arc flash)
• Even higher possibility on medium voltage systems
• Arc temperatures can reach 20,000degC!
• That’s hotter than the surface of the sun!!
• The expanding plasma explodes outwards forcefully, shower people and equipment nearby with the molten conductive material
• Everyday 5-10 arc flash incidents take place in the USA

For more information, visit the wikipedia page on arc flash.

Finally, here are a couple of videos embedded from YouTube.  Makes sense of the saying “Nothing but boots left”.

Watch them!  I require all of my new engineering employees to watch these arc flash videos.  We all get comfortable around engines and electricity; it’s good to be reminded of the power here.