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5 Ways You Can Reduce The Risk Of Arc Flash

Arc Flash Risk

Arc Flash Risks

• Special thanks to Engineering Power Solutions for the kind permission to republish

Arc flashes pose a significant hazard to electrical systems operatives. They can cause damage to equipment as well as severe injury or even death to personnel. However, with proper arc flash safety procedures in place it is possible to reduce the risk significantly.

What Is An Arc Flash?

An arc flash is a sudden discharge of energy, connecting a component through the air to the ground or to another voltage phase in the same system. This can be the result of loose connections, exposed live parts or other short circuits in faulty equipment. Careless work practices can also cause arc flashes when working on live electrical systems.

The resulting explosions produce highly dangerous intensities of heat and light.

As well as damage to electrical equipment, arc flashes can cause internal and external burns, eye injuries from intense UV light emissions, and lung damage from hot gasses or vaporised metals.

How To Avoid An Arc Flash

Given these hazards, it would seem vital to know how to prevent arc flashes. Yet aside from simply powering down a system, it is virtually impossible to eliminate the hazards entirely. However, it is possible to mitigate the risks, and what’s more, it is an employer’s legal duty to carry out appropriate assessments to do so.

Here are five ways to minimise the dangers posed by arc flashes.

1) Power Down Electrical Equipment Where Possible
An arc flash can only occur with live voltage, so the simplest hazard mitigation strategy is to power down the system when not in use. It should always be assumed that a system is live until it has been verified as de-energised. However, it is not always possible to carry out work on de-energised electrical equipment, and in these cases, other safety measures must be taken.

2) Ensure Safe Working Systems
A full arc flash risk assessment should be carried out on all electrical systems. It need only be conducted once in full but should be reviewed at least every five years. Reviews should also be carried out if any components are changed or other system updates are made. A professional risk assessment identifies the potential hazards in an electrical system, so that they may be properly labelled, and the risks mitigated.

3) Wear PPE
When engaging with electrical systems, workers should wear the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). Insulated rubberised gloves give protection against electrical arcs, as well as heat and flame resistance. Head and face gear is also important to protect against high heat and light intensities, as well as impact damage from an arc flash explosion.

4) Keep a Safe Distance
Arc flashes can cause injuries at distances of up to six metres. Operators should maintain a safe distance from points of severe hazard, using remote tools or robots, as well as wearing appropriate PPE when within the calculated arc flash boundary.

5) Ensure Proper Training
Anybody working with electrical systems needs the appropriate training to understand the hazards and the requirements for safe working. This is even more important if engagement with live systems is unavoidable. Operatives need to know how to conduct a risk assessment before starting work, identifying hazardous points in the system and the appropriate working practices to mitigate them.

What Next?

Speak to us today to find out more about arc flash risk mitigation, and how you can improve electrical health and safety in your workplace.

Engineering Power Solutions is a trustworthy engineering team offering personal, friendly and transparent technical services whilst continually improving engineering design efficiency. We also provide product procurement solutions, combined with our engineers technical expertise we will help you with product selection, advice and ongoing technical support throughout your project.

Arc Flash Clothing Stockists &  Suppliers

This is the question arc flash specialist protective clothing manufacturer, ProGARM, is asking the UK industry. The question has been posed as part of a national campaign to raise awareness around the often-fatal risk of arc flash injury.

The campaign sees ProGARM calling on workers at all levels within the rail, construction, petrochemical, utilities, power generation and industrial electrical industry to share their experiences in a bid to capture a true picture of the real risk of arc flash across the UK.

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

Substation Earthing for Low, Medium & High Voltage Systems | CPD Training By EA Technology

Substation Earthing for Low, Medium & High Voltage Systems

Substation Earthing

EA Technology – CPD Training

Cost: £1220

Course Duration:  3 Days

Course Location: Capenhurst, Chester

Dates: 17th-19th May 2022

CPD Information: 18 Hours

Sign Up Here: https://eatechnology.com/training/scheduled-courses/substation-courses/substation-earthing/

Day one

Introduction and Principles of Earthing in LV, MV and HV Systems

• Role, principles and importance of earthing
• Preventing electric shock in LV systems
• Earth faults, fault voltages, EPR and voltage gradient in MV and HV systems
• Impedance in earthing and bonding conductors
• Important criteria for earthing assessment

LV Earth Systems and Earth Terminals

• Earthing requirements for public LV systems
• Earth terminals for supply points in public and private LV cable systems
• Abnormal voltages on LV earth terminals
• Requirement to separate HV and LV earth systems
• Special LV earthing situations

Earth Fault Current and EPR Analysis

• System earthing
• Redial and non-radial systems
• Simplified and rigorous fault current analysis
• Data and accuracy for project and EPR assessments

Introduction to Earth Standards and Company Earthing Policies

• The need for standards and company procedures
• The voltages and environmental impact that occur during earth fault at a substation
• Description of safety voltages, limit values and ways they are constrained
• Developments in ENA S34 and 14-24

Introduction to Earthing Design

• Earthing standards; how this guides design practice
• Main design criteria
• Introduction to earth resistance formulae
• Comparison of ways to reduce the earth resistance

Day two

Design of Substation Earthing

• Stages in the design of a LV distribution substation
• Use of standard formulae to investigate design options and check compliance
• Design of the local substation electrode system
• Design of the earthing system for a HV substation
• Exercise in developing the outline electrode design

Measurement Theory

• Earth resistivity
• Earth resistance

Practical Measurement Exercise

• Group exercise undertaking soil resistivity and electrode resistance measurements

Analysis of Measurement Data

• Delegates will use specialist software to gain a derived soil model for design purposes
• Analysis of electrode resistance data to calculate the true resistance of the measured earthing system

Day three

Industrial Site Measurement Case Study

• Undertaking measurements in difficult locations
• Highlight the important issues
• Explanation of procedures

Analysis of Earth Fault Current and EPR in more Complex Network Arrangements

• Network calculation procedures
• Mixed underground and overhead systems and isolated cable sections in overhead lines
• Identifying points of worst case EPR

Example Case Studies and Calculations of EPR and risk effects in Industrial, generation and public HV and MV Systems

• Generation and industrial sites connected to cable and overhead line systems
• Separation of HV/MV and LV earth systems in high resistivity areas
• LV installations in vicinity of HV equipment with high EPR

Course Review

Programme may be subject to amendment.

Why Should I Attend?

• Enhance your knowledge of earthing principles and systems
• Understand the legal and environmental framework and standards that apply to earthing systems
• Develop your ability to specify earthing system design to current standards
• Reduce the risk of critical system failure through enhanced design
• Enhance your understanding of the role of earthing systems in safe working practices
• Enhance your understanding of earthing measurement processes and the analysis of measurement data
• Develop knowledge of managing earthing system design and maintenance projects

This course is delivered by leading specialists in earthing assessment, design and audit and draws on their extensive expertise in the field.

Click Here To Sign Up Today

Testimonials

William G. Higinbotham has been president of EA Technology LLC since 2013. His responsibilities involve general management of the company, including EA Technology activities in North and South America. William is also responsible for sales, service, support, and training on partial discharge instruments and condition-based asset management. He is the author or co-author of several industry papers.

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

Thorne & Derrick distribute the most extensive range of MV HV Medium & High Voltage Cable Joints, Terminations & Connectors from manufacturers including 3M, Prysmian, Nexans Euromold, Elastimold, Pfisterer CONNEX and Shrink Polymer Systems.

Heat shrink, cold shrink, push-on and slip-over cable accessories enable the jointing, terminating and connection of 11kV-33kV and 66kV-132kV cables to oil, air or gas insulated switchgear, transformers, motors and overhead lines distributing electricity at MV HV.

MV HV High Voltage Cable Joints | Cable Terminations | Cable Connectors | Distributed from Stock | UK & Export Sales

ABB & UK Power Networks Switch To A Sustainable Future With The World’s First 36kV Double Busbar AirPlus™ Switchgear

• Special thanks to Sarah Perrins Managing Director at Limegreen Communications

  for permission to republish

ABB and UK Power Networks

• UK Power Networks announces plans to reduce its use of Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF6), the world’s most potent greenhouse gas
• As part of its Environmental Action Plan, the UK’s biggest electricity distributor will install ABB switchgear containing innovative AirPlus™ insulating gas, which has almost zero global warming impact
• ABB’s AirPlus innovative double busbar design reduces the risk of unplanned downtime and provides greater flexibility of power load sharing

UK Power Networks, which provides power to 8.3 million homes and businesses, has commissioned ABB to supply the world’s first 36 kV medium-voltage double busbar AirPlus Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS). It features AirPlus gas, which acts as an insulator between the electrical contacts with almost zero global warming impact.

As part of its Environmental Action Plan to pass on a sustainable planet for future generations, the UK’s biggest electricity distributor, UK Power Networks has announced plans to use AirPlus, ABB’s innovative sustainable alternative to SF₆ switchgear, at its substation in Kent.

➡ Thorne & Derrick provide the full ABB range of Medium Voltage Products for the utility, industrial and commercial customers with safe, reliable and smart technologies for the distribution of electricity, typically at LV and MV voltages (11kV 33kV). The extensive ABB products offering includes distribution automation products, circuit protection, joints and terminations, switching, limiting, surge arresters, measuring and sensing devices, switchgear, modular substation packages and related services for MV electrical power systems.

Transitioning to AirPlus will help UK Power Networks to achieve sustainability targets

As Europe moves towards tighter regulation on the traditional gas (SF_6,) used in switchgear, ABB’s AirPlus provides a compelling eco alternative. Unlike SF₆, which is a potent greenhouse gas with a global warming potential 23,500 times greater than that of carbon dioxide (CO₂₎), ABB’s AirPlus gas has almost zero global warming impact. It is designed to drive high reliability and fulfill upcoming environmental regulations for segments like utilities.

Commenting on the installation, Alessandro Palin, President of ABB’s Distribution Solutions division explained: “As part of our 2030 Sustainability Strategy, ABB is committed to helping customers and suppliers reduce their emissions. AirPlus is a key part of this strategy, and we are proud to work together with utilities such as UK Power Networks to make the switch to eco alternatives, that not only provide reliable power but will also protect our planet. A pioneer in this field, ABB has installed thousands of SF₆-free solutions globally. Moving from SF₆ to an SF₆-free portfolio is an important milestone towards enabling a low carbon society.”

As part of its Environmental Action Plan, the UK’s biggest electricity distributor will install ABB switchgear containing innovative AirPlus

Transitioning to AirPlus will help UK Power Networks to achieve its sustainability targets, as it offers the same footprint and similar performance as an SF₆ switchgear and operates at lower-tank pressures. The higher the voltages, the higher the pressure in the switchgear, but thanks to AirPlus, ABB’s switchgear can handle the pressure, having a safe low-pressure design with similar dielectric insulation benefits and footprint as an SF₆ switchgear. The revolutionary double busbar design gives the additional benefit of reliability by reducing the risk of unplanned downtime and offering more flexibility in sharing the power load.

In addition to enhancing the collaboration with UK Power Networks, this contract confirms the acceptance of AirPlus technology as a reliable alternative to SF₆ for utilities in the UK. A complete switchgear solution will be delivered to the company’s substation in Dartford, Kent, before the end of 2021.

Barry Hatton, director of asset management at UK Power Networks, said: “We have clear goals to reduce the environmental impact of our operations and help enable the country’s transition to net zero carbon emissions, while maintaining reliable electricity supplies for more than eight million homes and businesses. Our new AirPlus switchgear supports our strategy and delivery of our Environmental Action Plan.”

ABB was one of the first companies to offer SF₆-free switchgear solutions for MV ranges up to 40.5 kV, with the largest global installed base of over 5,000 ecoGIS switchgear installations since 2015.

In addition to enhancing the collaboration with UK Power Networks, this contract confirms the acceptance of AirPlus technology as a reliable alternative to SF6 for utilities in the UK

ABB (ABBN: SIX Swiss Ex) is a leading global technology company that energizes the transformation of society and industry to achieve a more productive, sustainable future. By connecting software to its electrification, robotics, automation and motion portfolio, ABB pushes the boundaries of technology to drive performance to new levels. With a history of excellence stretching back more than 130 years, ABB’s success is driven by about 105,000 talented employees in over 100 countries. www.abb.com

ABB’s Electrification Business Area is a global leader in electrical products and solutions, operating in more than 100 countries, with over 200 manufacturing sites. Our 50,000+ employees are dedicated to transforming how people live, connect and work by delivering safe, smart and sustainable electrification solutions.

We are shaping the future trends of electrification, differentiating through technological and digital innovation while delivering an outstanding experience through operational excellence for our customers across utilities, industry, buildings, infrastructure and mobility. For more information visit https://go.abb/electrification

UK Power Networks is the UK’s biggest electricity distributor, making sure the lights stay on for more than eight million homes and businesses across London, the South East and the East of England. Network operators aren’t the same as energy suppliers; network operators manage local power lines and substations, while energy suppliers sell the electricity that runs through the power lines.

UK Power Networks continues to be listed in the Top 25 Best Big Companies to Work For and made industry history by becoming first company to win Utility of the Year two years running (2015 and 2016 also 2012). The company invests more than £600 million in its electricity networks every year, offers extra help to vulnerable customers at times of need, and is undertaking trials to ensure that electricity networks support the transition to a low carbon future. It also moves cables and connects new electricity supplies. If you have a power cut ring 105, see www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk or tweet us @UKPowerNetworks

About LimeGreen

Limegreen Communications is a powerful collective of experienced, senior communications professionals with a passion for delivering engaging earned content and award-winning campaigns.

Founders Sarah Perrins and Jo Mathers worked with leading FTSE 250 companies and PR consultancies before deciding to share their knowledge and expertise more widely and to create Limegreen Communications.

Today, Limegreen is a collective of like-minded associates, who share that special mix of agency and in-house experience and understand what it’s like to be the client. We know how to generate results – whether written or visually – that will ensure cut-through in our content heavy world.

LV MV HV Jointing, Earthing, Substation & Electrical Eqpt

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 

3M QT-III | Cold Shrink Terminations | Video Demonstration

High Voltage Cable Terminations

• Tight Cable Sealing – HV termination retains resiliency and pressure after prolonged aging and outdoor pollution exposure
• Flexible Cold Shrink – QT-III accommodates all power cable manufacturers bend radius tolerances and recommendations
• Reliability – high dry and wet insulation resistance for switchgear, transformer or outdoor pole  termination
• Versatile – QT-III Cold Shrink terminations install quickly and accommodates a wide range of cable sizes
• Dependable – proven long-term reliability and safe operation at overload temperature on MV HV power system networks
• Time Efficient – reduced installation time for the Jointer compared to heat shrink, electrical taping or resins
• Ozone, Heat and UV Resistance – the physical characteristics of silicone rubber Cold Shrink provide excellent performance over the very wide temperature range of -150°F (-100°C) to 600°F (315°C)

*Data based upon U.S. failure data of U.S. manufactured 3M Cold Shrink 
Medium & High Voltage Cable Accessories between 2009 and 2012.

QT-III

Stocked & Supplied by Thorne & Derrick | Technical Support | Competitive Prices | UK & International Projects

From the Field – Pictured: Cold Shrink Terminations manufactured by 3M Electrical shown terminating 11kV polymeric single core power cables to be used as transformer link cables.

More from 3M Electrical

• Continuous Shearhead Bolt vs. Crimp Compression Technologies By 3M Electrical
• 3M Electrical Tapes Guide | The Tape For Every Task
• 3M Terminations | Surface Tracking on Medium Voltage Cable Terminations by 3M Electrical
• 66kV Terminations | NEW Stock Introduction for 3M Cold Shrink Cable Terminations
• Stress Control | MV Cable Terminations by 3M Electrical
• Q/ Can 3M Electrical Offer MV Cable Joints For Hazardous Areas?
• MV Cable Jointing & Some Jointers Tips Using 3M Scotch Tapes

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

Thorne & Derrick distribute the most extensive range of MV HV Medium & High Voltage Cable Joints, Terminations & Connectors from manufacturers including 3M, Prysmian, Nexans Euromold, Elastimold, Pfisterer CONNEX and Shrink Polymer Systems.

Heat shrink, cold shrink, push-on and slip-over cable accessories enable the jointing, terminating and connection of 11kV-33kV and 66kV-132kV cables to oil, air or gas insulated switchgear, transformers, motors and overhead lines distributing electricity at MV HV.

MV HV High Voltage Cable Joints | Cable Terminations | Cable Connectors | Distributed from Stock | UK & Export Sales

NOF Members Thorne & Derrick and Slingco Ltd Supporting Cables in the Offshore Wind Industry

Today, Thorne & Derrick welcomed Phil Day from Slingco Limited, the world-leading manufacturer of cable pulling and support socks, swivels, cable protectors, wire rope assemblies and accessories. Phil provided an Offshore Wind focussed company presentation to our Sales Team (pictured left-to-right Sarah Henderson, Carl Cox, Jonathan Hewitt, Phil Day, Jeff Jhanke, Natalie Lundie and Chris Dodds).

We look forward to further strengthening our position in the offshore wind sector with the support of Slingco and their team.

Thank you for visiting and updating us on the safety critical role of cable support grips and the need for independent break load testing to safeguard project, people and reputations.

Further Reading

• Slingco Take A Firm Grip on The Future With Cable Socks
• How To Lace Up Cable Socks By Slingco
• Cable Grips | Supporting Inter-array, Export, Umbilical & Subsea Cable Installations
• How Do Cable Socks React To Salt Water?
• Cable Laying, Installation & Support Products | Offshore Oil & Gas Cables
• MV HV Cable Laying, Installation & Support Products | Offshore Windfarms

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

Specialist Distributors to the UK and international Offshore Wind & Renewable industry to provide safe and reliable LV HV Electrical Cable & Power Distribution Systems up to 66kV – we are highly customer responsive and absolutely committed to providing a world-class service. Contact our UK Power Team for competitive quotations, fast delivery from stock and technical support or training on all LV-HV products.