DC Arc Flash

[OCPD]

Hello All,

The DC arc flash at the battery bank is high (above 40cal/cm2). I was wondering if anyone has a good reference on what is a good solution to work at the battery or how to make them more safe to work

 

[zbang]

I don't have anything specific in mind, but I'm sure that AT&T/Bell Labs did a lot of work in this area. You might be able to find some central-office engineering info online.

 

[Barbqranch]

At one time I followed an EV forum, and one person had quite an explosion by means of a box end wrench toughing the wrong thing. Afterwards it was suggested if one is to work around batteries much, there shouldn't be any metal tools with long conductive handles. There are only a few sizes that are commonly used around most battery banks, and it isn't too difficult to cut the handles off wrenches and insert them in a non-conductive rod or handle.

 

[ggunn]

At one time I followed an EV forum, and one person had quite an explosion by means of a box end wrench touching the wrong thing.

Anyone who has disconnected a car battery by putting a wrench on the positive terminal first instead of the negative terminal and letting the back end of the wrench touch metal has a visceral knowledge of this. Most of us have done it, and most of us who have done it have only done it once.

 

[K8MHZ]

Anyone who has disconnected a car battery by putting a wrench on the positive terminal first instead of the negative terminal and letting the back end of the wrench touch metal has a visceral knowledge of this. Most of us have done it, and most of us who have done it have only done it once.

I was working on my 1973 Cutlass Supreme and created a short between the terminals via a path from one terminal to the wrench to my class ring to grounded metal.

It burnt the crap out of my finger and put an arc mark on my ring. PO'd, I took my ring off, set it on the breather and finished what I was fixing so I could to see my really cute new girlfriend at our appointed time.

I never saw my class ring again. By the time I remembered I never took it off the breather, it was too late. :rant:

Probably would have given it to her and never saw it again, anyway.....