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Services and Spare Parts Arc-Flash Hazard Study

Flash Protection Boundary An approach limit, at a distance from an exposed live part, within which a person could receive a second- degree burn if an electrical arc-flash were to occur.

From NFPA 70E 2009 Edition

TABLE 130.7(C)(11) Protective Clothing Characteristics

Required Min Arc

Hazard/Risk

Rating of PPE [J/cm 2 (cal/cm 2 )]

Category Clothing Description

0

N/A

Nonmelting, flammable materials (i.e., untreated cotton, wool, rayon, or silk, or blends of these materials) with a fabric weight at least 4.5 oz/yd 2

1

16.74 (4)

Arc-rated FR shirt and FR pants or

FR coverall

2

33.47 (8)

Arc-rated FR shirt and FR pants

Shock Protection Boundaries: Limited Approach Boundary An approach limit at a distance from an exposed live part within which a shock hazard exists. Restricted Approach Boundary An approach limit at a distance from an exposed live part within which there is an increased risk of shock, due to electrical arc over combined with inadvertent movement, for personnel working in close proximity to the live part. Prohibited Approach Boundary An approach limit at a distance from an exposed live part within which work is considered the same as making contact with the live part. Required Clothing Class In accordance with NFPA 70E guidelines, the calculated incident energy provided by GE's arc-flash hazard study, will identify the appropriate PPE class for each system location, through the use of the following NFPA 70E table.

or FR coverall

3

104.6 (25)

Arc-rated FR shirt and pants or

FR coverall, and arc flash suit selected so that the system arc rating meets the required minimum

4

167.36 (40)

Arc-rated FR shirt and pants or

FR coverall, and arc flash suit selected so that the system arc rating meets the required minimum

Note: Arc rating is defined in Article 100 and can be either ATPV or E BT . ATPV is defined in ASTM F 1959, Standard Test Method for Determining the Arc Thermal Performance Value of Materials for Clothing , as the incident energy on a material or a multilayer system of materials that results in a 50% probability that sufficient heat transfer through the tested specimen is predicted to cause the onset of a second-degree skin burn injury based on the Stoll curve, cal/cm 2 . E BT is defined in ASTM F 1959 as the incident energy on a material or material system that results in a 50% probability of breakopen. Arc rating is reported as either ATPV or E BT , whichever is the lower value.

Accurate Results For consistency of results, limited duplication and lower overall PPE recommendations, GE recom- mends that the short-circuit and coordination studies be completed concurrently with the arc-flash hazard study: • Short Circuit Study – Calculates three-phase bolted faults • Protective Device Coordination Study – Uses equipment settings to determine devices' opening times

NEC Handbook Exhibit 110.7 Electrical worker clothed in personal protective equipment (PPE) appropriate for the hazard involved 1 .

For more information, contact your local GE Energy office or call 1-888-GE4-Serv or 540-378-3280.

Services and Spare Parts 7

©2009, General Electric Company. All rights reserved. The contents of this document are the property of General Electric Company. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, except as permitted in written license agreement with General Electric Company. General Electric Company has made every reasonable attempt to ensure the completeness and accuracy of this document. However, the informa- tion contained in this document is subject to change without notice, and does not represent a commitment on the part of General Electric Company. The GE logo is a registered trademark of General Electric Company. 1) Reprinted with permission from 2008 National Electrical Code ® Handbook, Copyright ©2007, National Fire Protection Association, Quincy, MA 02269. 2) Reprinted with permission from NFPA 70E, Standard for Electrical Safety In the Workplace 2009 Edition, Copyright © 2008, National Fire Protection Association, Quincy, MA 02269. National Electric Code and NEC are registered trademarks of the National Fire Protection Association, Quincy, MA. This reprinted material is not the complete and official position of the NFPA on the referenced subject, which is represented only by the standard in its entirety.

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