Arc Blast Suits

[wiremonkey78]

The power plant I work for just purchased some arc blast suits. The electricians were wondering where we could find the rules on when to wear them. We know when opening 4160v breakers and 480 volt load center breakers. But the company is stating that any 480v breaker that is opened we will be required to have an arc blast suit on. We want to be safe but some of what they are saying sounds like overkill.

 

[ron]

Re: Arc Blast Suits

You need to purchase NFPA 70E, which is the electrical safety standard. OSHA requires that your employer trains you as to how to wear the suit and when.
There may be sometimes, when calculated, that you need the Catagory 4 suit for 208V too!

[ January 26, 2005, 01:18 PM: Message edited by: ron ]

 

[tom baker]

Re: Arc Blast Suits

Its all based on the available fault current. 70E has prescriptive tables you can use, or you can calculate the fault current and determine the PPE required.

 

[ron]

Re: Arc Blast Suits

Tom,
To utilize the prescriptive tables in 70E, you still must calculate the arc flash fault current and determine the clearing time of the upstream OCPD, so that you can verify compliance with the Notes of that prescriptive table.

 

[wiremonkey78]

Re: Arc Blast Suits

Thanks for all the helpful information. I have chased down the articles that you guys have listed and found resource material for the company to buy.

 

[zog]

Re: Arc Blast Suits

Dont make the mistake many companies make and overlook the notes on the bottom of the tables that list the basis for the HRC. They have also been changed from the 2004 version bu a TIA changing the notes section that can be found on the NFPA website.