70E Arc Flash Gloves

[wtucker]

Table 130.7(C)(16) says that for PPE Cats. 1 and 2, leather gloves are needed. But for Cats. 3 and 4, it specifies arc-rated gloves. Anybody know why they don't say leather OR arc-rated gloves for Cats. 1 and 2? We have situations where workers may be inside the Arc Flash Boundary but not within the Restricted Approach Boundary, so they don't need rubbers. Ansell makes a Cat. 2 Kevlar glove with a 12 cal/cm2 ATPV--why shouldn't those be OK?

 

[wbdvt]

There is a Note 1 in the table that points to the definition of Arc Rating. The majority of gloves that I see used are rubber insulating gloves appropriate for the voltage level and leather protectors. Most of the time if you are working inside the AFB you are most likely doing something that could cause an arc flash event. This usually means there are energized components nearby or you are testing for de-energization. Note 3 to the table discusses rubber gloves.

 

[wtucker]

I'm not concerned with insulated gloves. No work will be done within the Restricted Approach Boundary. I'm just trying to figure out why the table specifies leather at Cats. 1 and 2, but arc-rated gloves at Cats. 3 and 4.

 

[wbdvt]

I don't know but you may find an answer on arcflashforum.com it is specifically for arc flash issues and there are people on there who are on the IEEE and NFPA committees. There is also Hugh Hoagland who does a lot of the material testing for arc values.