When is an actual detailed arc flash study required?
Is it only when personnel work on energized equipment?
If the equipment is de-energized, then obviously a "study" is not required.
I do not see that as "obvious" at all.
I am not sure what you mean by a "detailed" arc flash study.
you will need to determine what the level of potential incident energy is anywhere you have the potential for someone to be exposed to it.
working on energized equipment includes such things as taking voltage measurements and this is going to be required just about everywhere in most electrical systems.
you can't determine the level of PPE required without knowing the incident energy that might be present. in some cases the potentially available incident energy might be so high as to be so dangerous that no amount of PPE would allow you to work on something energized. You need to know what the IE is determine if you are even going to be allowed to work on it energized.
Even things like testing to make sure something is deenergized might well be considered "energized" work.