How Current Limiting Devices for Low-Voltage Applications Can Help Save Lives for Your Organisation
Published 07 Dec 2020
Electric Power Solutions
Are You Prepared to Mitigate Arc Flash Risk?
The following Whitepaper by G&W Electric and presented by Thorne & Derrick is written for those who specify electrical components, switchgear and power distribution equipment for utility, heavy industrial, healthcare or offshore applications, will discuss current regulations and requirements, define arc flash and its impacts, discuss arc flash mitigation and, most importantly, how current limiting devices for low-voltage applications should be seriously considered as part of an organisation’s comprehensive arc flash mitigation strategy.
Thorne & Derrick are Specialist Distributors of Substation, Electrical Safety, Cable Jointing & Accessories to UK and international utilities and contractors providing electrical power at distribution and transmission voltage levels.
Introduction
As the demand for electrical power increases, distribution systems are expanded to accommodate the increased demand. Stiffened transmission systems, increased substation capacity, and added on-site and distributed generation all contribute to increases in available fault currents.
Often these currents exceed the capability of the electrical equipment, putting the equipment and maintenance personnel at risk for a catastrophic event.
Current limitation drastically reduces the magnitude of the peak let through current and the system energy, protecting equipment from costly failure and protecting workers from dangerous arc flash.
For high-voltage and medium-voltage applications, current limitation methods have been well-established, but for low-voltage applications, other options have served as the last line of defence in the event of an arc flash incident.
Traditional methods to mitigate an arc flash are plagued by high detection and clearing times, which result in high incident energy. Any method that takes more than 100 ms will cause vaporising of metals, which can severely injure people and damage equipment surrounding the affected gear.
Finally, this Whitepaper will provide key considerations and questions that engineers, specifiers, safety officers and plant managers should ask when considering the installation of low-voltage current limiters.
Contents
- Introduction
- Arc Flash – A Catastrophic Event
- What is Arc Flash Mitigation?
- What is Arc Flash?
- Current Limiting Devices vs. Conventional Devices in Arc Flash Mitigation
- CLiP-LV vs. Circuit Breaker
- Key Considerations
G&W Electric
Overview of G&W Cable Accessories
In 1905 G&W introduced the first disconnectable cable terminating device.
Over 100 years later, G&W continues to create technical innovations that have improved performance and reliability. With over 100 years experience, G&W is the name you can trust for quality cable accessories. With sales representation worldwide, G&W has a proven track record for success.
G&W cable accessories are designed to accommodate cables from all manufacturers and can be created to accommodate any customer cable system. The optional mechanical shrink feature offers an easier and faster installation while reducing possible damage during installation. G&W also offers installation supervision and installation training, which can be customized to suit the audience.
G&W offers a variety of transmission cable accessories for extruded dielectric cable systems. Cable terminations are available for outdoor applications to 230kV and include porcelain or composite insulator options and premolded designs. Gas insulated substation designs are available to 230kV.
Transition cable splices and cable joints are available to 138kV and include premolded designs. All cable terminations and cable joints incorporate built-in stress control and dielectric fluid. Dry type designs are also available for maximum ease of installation.
Substation, Electrical Safety, Cable Jointing & Accessories | 11kV 33kV 66kV to 400kV
