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Arc Flash Protection & Electrical Safety | 15 Measures to Mitigate the Hazards of Arc Faults

Arc Flash Protection & Electrical Safety Products | Distributed By Thorne & Derrick

Arc flash Protection

An arc flash is the light and heat produced as part of an arc fault; a type of electrical explosion or discharge that results from a low impedance connection through air to ground or another voltage phase in an electrical system.

In industries working around high and low voltage electricity, the importance of Electrical PPE  and arc flash protection is widely recognised, and the latest electrical safety requirements are understood by managers and operatives alike.

However, the dangers posed by an arc flash are not so well known in comparison. With temperatures of up to 35,000ºF, which is more than four times hotter than the surface of the sun, an arc flash has the potential to burn an operative’s skin within fractions of a second, meaning PPE really is the last line of defence for workers.

In the face of the internal arc fault risk present in low and medium voltage switchgear, prevent accidents to protect the personnel and the electric installation itself by following this proven formula.

Condition

Knowing and improving the condition of the equipment is a key factor in reducing the likelihood of failure, damage, and injury. is comprised of condition, distance, time, and training.

1. Risk Assessment study – Asset risk assessments to establish the risk profile of equipment based on its condition and importance in the system, and prioritize actions to mitigate the risk before the hazard occurs
2. Monitoring programs – Risk monitoring and mitigation programs to maximize improved reliability and reduced operator exposure
3. Upgrades and retrofit – Equipment upgrades and retrofit which decrease operator exposure because of reduced maintenance, faster cycle times, and lower clearing times
4. Diagnostic testing – Diagnostic testing to address concerns of bad connections, pollution, mechanical faults and minimize failures due to defective devices

Distance

Maintaining a safe distance between personnel and equipment during critical operations provides the most effective means of avoiding injury by keeping people out of harm’s way

1. Remote racking – Remote racking provides a safer operating environment for personnel through the proven method of adding distance between the operator and arc flash incident energy at the switchgear site, bringing operation of power circuit breakers to a new level of safety. ABB vacuum circuit breakers can be provided with a fully integrated motor operated racking system for their use in new replacement switchgear or as part of the hard-bus and cradle-in-cradle retrofill solutions.
2. Voltage indicators – The installation of voltage indicators on accessible power circuits can increase the operators safety and avoid accidental electrical contact injuries. VisiVolt is an ABB passive voltage indicator perfectly suiting the equipment upgrade. It is adapted for permanent installation on busbar and naked or insulated metal conductors, indicates the presence of voltage by displaying a large and well visible lightning arrow sign on its display. The relevant silicone elastomeric enclosure ensures performance also in outdoor conditions while its fluorescent orange colour provides good visibility among the other elements of the system.
3. Infrared thermo-graphic inspection – Infrared (IR) thermal measurements are performed through dedicated arc-proof ports with power compartment doors closed. The periodic thermo-graphic inspection of the critical areas (e.g. power cables connections) is an efficient method for preventing associated faults. Ports can be added to existing switchgear by ABB expert engineers keeping the original equipment design characteristics.
4. Partial discharge measurements – Periodic measurement of the partial discharge (PD) level is a proven method for detecting insulation degradation before real insulation failure develops. The assessment results are documented as trend curves for each switchgear compartment, where the curves with high increase of partial discharge activity level indicate compartments with high risk of insulation failure. Site work is performed with closed doors.

Time

Reduction of time for clearing fault conditions has a dramatic impact on the energy released and consequent damage and injury.

1. MV equipment faults: relay upgrades with Relion® – microprocessor equipment which operate faster than electromechanical relays and support faster clearing times.
2. Short-circuit current: Is-Limiter device – Is-limiter device as a fast operating interrupting device that limits the short circuit current to a level that breakers and buses can withstand, protecting property and personnel. Replacement of existing switchgear and cable connections with new equipment with higher short-circuit ratings can be technically impossible. The use of Is-limiters reduces the short-circuit current in extensions of existing systems and in new systems. The Is-limiter is capable of detecting and limiting a short-circuit current during the first current rise in less than a millisecond.
3. Arc-faults: REA arc fault detection system – REA arc flash protection relay uses patented fiber-optic sensor technology that instantaneously detects light from an arc to signal a “trip” to the designated circuit breaker in less than 2.5 ms, minimizing an arc flash incident.
4. Arc-faults: Upgrade with UFES – UFES, an ultra fast earthing switch, provides detection and grounding of faults in times significantly faster than breaker clearing times, leading to the avoidance of injury and damage and the reduction of production outages. A device as small as an insulator offers enhanced protection for your switchgear by the effects of internal arcs. The UFES arc protection system channels the uncontrolled release of energy by the arc into a solid metal, 3-phase connection to earth potential. The internal arc will be extinguished within an operation time of < 4ms after detection of the fault.

Training

Adequately trained personnel and proper procedures are essential to safe operations

1. Personnel training – Training engineering and technical services provide personnel with a better understanding of their equipment and systems and the safest means to operate them.
2. Procedure development – Arc flash studies help to determine the necessary level of protective equipment or clothing (PPE) to be worn by workers in close proximity to potential arcs and also help determine the proper application of any arc flash protection equipment to be installed.
3. Engineering studies – Engineering studies determine the proper settings and system coordination, while addressing the speed of the system to handle a fault so relays and associated protective devices are set properly in order for the system to react as designed.

Electrical Safety Providers

We protect substation engineers, asset managers, SAPS, cable jointers, overhead linesmen and utility workers with PPE and safety equipment: this includes insulating gloves, arc flash clothing, voltage detectors, insulating matting and portable earthing to ensure worker safety when carrying out repair and maintenance on LV-HV switchgear, transformers, substations and turbines.

All of our Cable Connection & Energisation Accessories including Medium & High Voltage joints, terminations, connectors and cleats are tested to the latest international standards and supporting ranges of professional installation tools are stocked to reduce incident, accident and downtime to plant and people.

Reliable Voltage Testing | Pfisterer KP-Test 5 Capacitive Voltage Detector

Voltage Detectors Distributed from Stock | Approved Supplier | UK & Export Sales

Voltage Detectors

Pfisterer KP-Test 5

The KP-Test 5 capacitive voltage detector manufactured by PFISTERER and distributed by Thorne & Derrick can be used for indoor and outdoor medium voltage applications. It indicates the presence of operating voltage. The KP-Test 5 voltage detector is distinguished by its high level of user friendliness and user safety.

Voltage detectors in the KP-Test 5 series perform an automatic self-test when they are switched on. The detectors also give off a clear visual and audible warning to signal the presence of voltage.

Voltage detector provides wider range of application, easier handling, improved signal indication – KP-Test 5 keeps pace with increased market requirements and makes high-quality electrical safety equipment possible.

Pfisterer Voltage Detector

KP-Test 5 Voltage Detector

Tested to EN 61243-1 the capacitive voltage detector can be used in all weather conditions. As with any security-related tool, there are a few basic rules to follow:

The employers’ liability insurance association for energy, textiles, electronics and media products (BG ETEM) currently points out that the contact electrodes or test prods of voltage testers must have conductive electrical contact with the system part to be tested in order to reliably determine the absence of voltage.

Clear measuring conditions, which are covered by the IEC 61243-1 standard, only arise in direct contact with the conductive part of the system. Even the simplest adhesive strips from office supplies can cause voltage drops of a few kV on busbars and lead to incorrect test results.

In practice, busbars are often color-coded, and measurements should never be taken at these points. This fact is due to the principle and applies to devices from all manufacturers. Another important rule: Voltage testers must be checked for proper functioning both before and after the measurement. The built-in self-test function is used for this.

Voltage Detectors 11kV 33kV

The KP-Test 5 family offers the right voltage detector for every application. Medium or High Voltage, alternating or direct current for use on overhead power lines, switchgear, in substations or on railway systems. All devices are individually adapted to our customers’ requirements. PFISTERER offers solutions for all voltage levels from 1 to 420 kV AC.

The SEANEX inner cone solution is an offshore variant of the successful Connex HV connection system that is specially adapted for 66kV inter-array cabling.

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THORNE & DERRICK

Thorne & Derrick are national distributors of LV, MV & HV Cable Installation, Jointing, Substation & Electrical Equipment – servicing businesses involved in cabling, jointing, substation, earthing, overhead line and electrical construction at LV, 11kV, 33kV, 66kV and EHV. Supplying a complete range of power cable accessories to support the installation and maintenance of low/medium and high voltage cable systems:

• Slip-on Cable Terminations
• Cold-shrink Cable Terminations
• Heat-shrink Cable Terminations
• Cable Joints – Heat & Cold-shrink
• Separable Connectors (Euromold)
• Surge Arresters & Switchgear/Transformer Bushings

Key Product Categories: Duct Seals | Cable Cleats | Cable Glands | Electrical Safety | Arc Flash Protection | Cable Jointing Tools | Cable Pulling | Earthing | Feeder Pillars | Cable Joints LV | Joints & Terminations MV 

MV Connex Products | Ex Stock Thorne & Derrick | Inner Cone Cable Connectors 33kV

Recruiting into the Renewable Revolution with Mane Contract Services

Global Energy Recruitment

Mane Contract Services are committed to working with their client partners to help create a greener and cleaner future. For over 20 years, they have provided project staffing solutions to the complete project lifecycle across all Energy sources.

Mane have an extensive project and client portfolio across both cable manufacturing and installation, working across UK, EMEA, APAC and USA.

Stephen Stuart and his team at Mane and are looking to expand their network within the Wind Energy Industry;

– HV Engineering & Installation – 33kV, 132kV, 155kV, 220kV, 400kV
– Commissioning Engineering / Commissioning Management
– Installation Management & Package Management
– Grid Connection and Cable Installation
– Project Management / Construction Management
– Client Representation
– Site Management & Support
– Document Control & Management
– Project Planning / Scheduling– Project Controls Management
– Health & Safety Management

If you are recruiting for yourself or looking for a new career move within the Renewables sector then please get in touch with Mane Contract Services  +44 (0) 1923 470 724 or email: [email protected]

For more information – visit their jobs page; https://www.mane.co.uk/energy/

With a network of international offices around the world and a large dedicated team of specialist Account Managers and Head Hunters, Mane are well placed to support your career development or recruitment requirements around the globe.

Supplying Cable Termination, Jointing, Pull-in & Electrical Equipment up to 66kV

Thorne & Derrick International are Specialist Suppliers to the UK and international Offshore Wind Industry of products to provide safe and reliable LV HV Electrical Cable Termination, Jointing, Installation & Power Systems up to 66kV.

We are based in North-East England, recognised as a key strategic location to service the offshore renewables energy market in the UK, from the North Sea to the Nordics – our Exports Division support international offshore wind power projects from USA to China.

Key Product Categories: Connectors, Joints & Terminations MV HV | Cable Preparation & Jointing Tools | Duct Seals | Cable Transits | Cable Cleats | Cable Glands | Electrical Safety | Arc Flash Clothing & Protection | Cable Pulling | Earthing & Lightning Protection | Feeder Pillars

Main UK Stockists for:  3M Electrical, PFISTERER Connex, Nexans Power Cable Accessories (Euromold), Alroc, Ellis Patents, ABB, Roxtec, Cembre & CATU Electrical.

Cable Cleats | A Device For Short Circuit Protection | CPD Course By Ellis Patents

➡ REGISTER HERE

Cable Cleats

A Device For Short Circuit Protection

Ellis Patents, the world’s leading cable cleat manufacturer, has launched its UK accredited Continuing Professional Development (CPD) course – developed in-house, their online CPD course has helped educate thousands of engineering professionals from around the world.

“Cable cleats: a device for short circuit protection” is a NBS RIBA accredited course designed to provide technical insight and guidance that has been adapted for international use and is available through Ellis’s e-learning portal.

register Here

➡ FREE CPD Course By Ellis Patents

Find Out More

FREE CPD Course Contents

Cable Cleats CPD Course Content

Module 1 Introduction

“I found the Ellis Cable Cleats CPD kept my interested, it was very informative and professionally put together.”

Jon Watkins (Electrical Engineer – Kier Construction)

In this video Ellis Patents compare using Stainless Steel Cable Cleats and Stainless Steel Cable Ties – the Ellis cable cleats are used to restrain power cables on slotted rung cable tray and are short-circuit tested to 59kA RMS, 118kA Peak for 0.1 second duration.

SHORT-CIRCUIT TESTING

There is a major difference between the short-circuit withstand requirements of a cable and the short-circuit withstand of a cable cleat.

The former is concerned with cable degradation as a result of temperature rise (thermal stress heating), while the latter is concerned with cable retention as a result of electromechanical forces.

Typical installation specifications that have been derived from the thermal withstand of the cable would require a short-circuit withstand of 63kA for 1 second or 40kA for 3 seconds.

A short-circuit test for a cable cleat does not consider this heating effect, and instead concentrates entirely on the destructive electro-mechanical forces at peak, followed by a short term decaying RMS.

The international standard IEC 61914 requires a short-circuit test duration of just 0.1 second. This equates to five complete cycles, by which time the true strength of a cable cleat will be known.

IEC61914 notes “a cable cleat is provided with a means of attachment to a mounting surface but does not rely on an unspecified mounting surface for the retention of the cables. Examples of mounting surfaces that may be specified are ladder, tray, strut or rail, wire and beam. Where declared, cable cleats provide resistances to electromechanical forces.”

IEC61914 – Calculating Short Circuit Forces To Specify Compliant Cable Cleats

Further Reading

• WITHDRAWN IEC 61914:2009 | Cable Cleats for Electrical Installations
• Cable Cleats from Ellis Patents | Better By Design
• Cable Cleats & Fixings For The Rail Industry by Ellis Patents
• Cable Cleats – Costs v Quality
• Cable Cleats & Safe Cable Installations for the Wind Energy Industry

THORNE & DERRICK

Thorne & Derrick are national distributors of LV, MV & HV Cable Installation, Jointing, Substation & Electrical Equipment – servicing businesses involved in cabling, jointing, substation, earthing, overhead line and electrical construction at LV, 11kV, 33kV, 66kV and EHV. Supplying a complete range of power cable accessories to support the installation and maintenance of low/medium and high voltage power systems:

• Slip-on Cable Terminations
• Cold-shrink Cable Terminations
• Heat-shrink Cable Terminations
• Cable Joints – Heat & Cold-shrink
• Separable Connectors (Euromold)
• Surge Arresters & Switchgear/Transformer Bushings

Key Product Categories: Duct Seals | Cable Cleats | Cable Glands | Electrical Safety | Arc Flash Protection | Cable Jointing Tools | Cable Pulling | Earthing | Feeder Pillars | Cable Joints LV | Joints & Terminations MV 

Arc Flash PPE & Electrical Safety | Blog Library

Arc Flash PPE & Electrical Safety

Main UK Stockists & Distributors of Electrical Safety Products

Thorne & Derrick provide Electrical Safety Equipment to substation engineers, cable jointers, overhead linesmen and utility workers with PPE and electrical safety equipment including insulating gloves, voltage detectors, insulating matting and portable earthing to ensure worker safety when carrying out maintenance on LV-HV switchgear, substations, cables and electrical equipment.

ELECTRICAL SAFETY IN THE WORKPLACE

See our collection of the Top Blogs featuring the complete range of Arc Flash PPE and Electrical Safety Equipment that Thorne & Derrick have available:

1. Arc Flash Clothing Saves Lives | Watch Eddies Story
2. Arc Workwear Saves Lives | Watch Mitchell’s Story
3. Arc Flash Clothing – PPE To Protect Highways, Street Lighting & Utility Contractors
4. Substation Safety Equipment From CATU Electrical
5. Reliable Voltage Testing | Pfisterer KP-Test 5 Capacitive Voltage Detector
6. ALADIN Individual Voltage Alarm With Headlamp For MV Overhead Lines 10-400kV
7. To Do PBwel Stock Blog
8. Thorne & Derrick | Preferred Distribution Agreement with P&B Weir Electrical Ltd
9. Providing Electrical Safety & PPE to Offshore Wind Farm Workers
10. Arc Flash – The Definitive Guide to Protecting Lives

More Workplace Electrical Safety info ➡ | Cable Safety | Cable & Installation Tooling

Arc Flash Polo Shirts | Coveralls | Sweatshirts | Helmets | Insulating Gloves

Electrical Safety Equipment | LV MV HV

From Substation to Socket | Safe LV HV Cables & Electrical Power Systems Up to 400kV

We provide Tooling & Electrical Equipment to Improve Workplace Safety.

Contact us with your Enquiry.

We protect substation engineers, asset managers, SAPS, cable jointers, overhead linesmen and utility workers with PPE and safety equipment: this includes insulating gloves, voltage detectors, insulating matting and portable earthing to ensure worker safety when carrying out repair and maintenance on LV-HV switchgear, transformers, substations and turbines.

All our Cable Connection & Energisation Accessories including Medium & High Voltage joints, terminations, connectors and cleats are tested to the latest international standards and supporting ranges of professional installation tools are stocked to reduce incident, accident and downtime to plant and people.