Eliminate Arc Flash To Minimise Downtime & Repair Costs At The Circuit Breaker
Published 11 Apr 2018
Guest Post By:Â Melissa Payne Marketing Executive at IPU Ltd
Industrial Power Units Limited offer arc flash protection systems for switchgear consisting of a protection relay and arc flash detection sensor. It is estimated that there are 8 to 10 arc flash incidents every week in the UK with switchgear often being neglected from protection even though accidents are a common occurrence causing devastating consequences.
Arc Flash Protection System
Arc Flash Protection System Configuration
This short animation shows a basic configuration set-up of an arc protection system. This Arcteq system features AQ110 and 3 AQ101 relays, along with several point sensors. This comprehensive set-up will allow for rapid arc detection (just 2 ms). The quick tripping of the circuit breaker will result in less damage from the arc or arc flash to both electrical equipment and personnel working nearby because it cannot reach full velocity.
Arc Flashes Explained
An arc flash can be produced as the result of a short circuit between different live conductors, a short circuit between a live conductor and an earth under a fault condition, or by separating live conductors during operational conditions.
The result is a powerful explosion of energy. The explosion will vaporise switchgear components as temperatures reach 20,000°C. The direct costs from this are undoubtedly high. The indirect costs from lost production can be even higher.
Arc flash and protection simply cannot be ignored.
Arc Flash Protection
Giving employees arc flash clothing and PPE is the standard response to the threat of arc flashes. Whilst this is an important step to take to protect employees, it won’t protect your equipment. It won’t prevent disruption to your business.
The AQ100 arc flash relay recognises an arc fault through light detection only or a combination of overcurrent and light detection. The relay then sends a trip command to the circuit breaker nearest to the fault. The breaker is opened, the current cut and the arc eliminated.
It takes just 30ms for the arc flash to reach maximum pressure and 100ms for temperatures to reach 20,000°C. The AQ100 arc flash relay will detect the fault in just 2ms and will send the trip command to eliminate the arc in less than 7ms. The ultra-fast speed of the tripping means damage will be limited to just a small section of the LV MV HV switchgear and electrical equipment.
And with selective tripping available, just the circuit breaker of the feeder affected by the fault will trip. The rest of the feeders will stay functional.
The ultra-fast reaction of the AQ100 system will ensure the safety of operating personnel even during an arc flashover.
Don’t underestimate the importance of protecting your equipment as well as your employees.
Life Saving Protection Against Arc Flash – whether working on underground substation cables or overhead transmission lines. Image: Allteck Power Line
Arc Flash 11kV Substation Blast – devastating effects on medium voltage electrical equipment, cables and circuits.
About Industrial Power Units Limited
IPU Group is a privately owned industrial company based in the UK, in West Bromwich, West Midlands – designing, manufacturing and distributing high quality parts and systems for critical diesel and gas engine applications.
IPU supply engineered solutions into other industries where reliability, performance and safety are paramount including: Oil & Gas, Marine, Industrial Engines, Mining & Quarrying and Land Based Industries.
Call +44 (0)121 511 0400
Email:Â [email protected]
Arc Flash | Polo Shirts | Jackets | Coveralls | Sweatshirts | Helmets | Insulating Gloves
Thorne & Derrick International supply arc flash clothing and protection equipment including coveralls, gloves, helmets, face shields and general head-to-toe PPE is used to protect against flashover – complete range of insulating matting is also available for worker protection when exposed to energised electrical switchgear and transformers.
Typical applications include LV, HV & EHV cable jointing and terminating, fuse pulling, switchgear commissioning, racking circuit breakers, electrical switching and live working on medium and high voltage electricity networks.
T&DÂ are national distributors LV, MV & HV Cable Installation, Jointing, Substation & Electrical Equipment – we service UK and global businesses involved in cable installations, cable cleating, cable jointing, substation, overhead line and electrical construction at LV, 11kV, 33kV and EHV.
Since 1985, T&D have established an international reputation based on SERVICE | INTEGRITY | TRUST.
Contact us for 3M Electrical, ABB, Alroc, AN Wallis, CATU Electrical, Cembre, Centriforce, CMP, CSD, Elastimold, Ellis Patents, Emtelle, Euromold, Filoform , Furse, Lucy Electric & Zodion, Nexans, Pfisterer, Polypipe, Prysmian, Roxtec, Sicame, WT Henley.
Invitation
Thorne & Derrick invite you to join LinkedIn’s largest LV-HV Electrical Discussion Group : Low & High Voltage Power, Cabling, Jointing & Electricals. Discussion subjects include cable installations, cable jointing, substation, overhead line and electrical construction at LV, 11kV, 33kV and EHV. Network, engage and promote your profile, company or products with over 10,000 influencers.
