Arc-Flash PPE – A Simplified Constant Energy Line Table Method: Copyright Material IEEE Paper No. ESW2021-26

One of the challenges faced by employers and workers is determining the appropriate rating of arc flash personal protective equipment (PPE) when an engineering calculation has not been performed. Some standards include tables to assist the user in selecting arc flash PPE for specific equipment types and voltage ranges. However, to use these and similar tabular methods requires the user to determine the fault current and the fault clearing time. Determining these values is at best difficult for the electrical worker, and in some circumstances, all but impossible. This paper discusses a proposed simplified table method to determine the required arc flash PPE requirements based on a constant-energy boundary, and alternatives considered in the process of creating the proposed table. The method requires identification of readily available electrical system characteristics in addition to the nominal voltage and equipment type to use the table. The method does not require the user to calculate the available fault current or determine fault clearing times. The method also addresses the effect of electrode configuration on the incident energy introduced in IEEE 1584™-2018 Guide for Performing Arc-Flash Hazard Calculations and low arcing current, which are currently unaccounted for in the tables commonly used today.