danny hemmings sales director uk / ireland - ea technology · iec 61482-2 the eu directive does not...
TRANSCRIPT
WHAT IS AN ELECTRIC ARC ?...
- An Electric Arc is a type of explosion involving discharge of voltage and energy from
electrical equipment
- Electric current flows through an air gap between conductors
- The Arc generates high levels of energy in a very short time space
- ARC Flash can reach temperatures up to 35,000 degrees Fahrenheit at the core
- This creates intense heat and flame together with other risks and hazards
WHAT CAUSES ARC FLASH ?
- Tools / equipment touching the ‘wrong’ surface - most common causes of arc flash
- Sparking due to gaps / breaks
- Equipment failure due to faulty parts, poor installation or wear and tear
- Dust, Corrosion or other impurities on the surface of the conductor
- Cable strike
- Isolation faults
ELECTRIC ARC FAULTS
Electric arc faults cannot be totally eliminated!
27%
24%
26%
18%
5%
Mistakes by the worker
Material and equipment faults
Contact faults
Isolation faults, overvoltage
Others
1ST , 2ND & 3RD DEGREE BURNS
First-degree burns – 3cal/cm2
(sun tan)
Second-degree burns – 5cal/cm2
(the skin falls off, no scars, >25% body burns = Hospital)
Third-degree burns – 8cal/cm2
(destroys the skins nerve system, scars, no cell regeneration;
>50% body burn = could lead to death)
* To light a ZIPPO lighter against your hand - 1cal/cm2
TO PREVENT....
Heat conduction and fire in a garment
But as importantly , incorrect clothing can do more harm
than actually exposing your skin directly to fire or flame .....
So how do we protect against Arc Flash....
- It’s an accident, not a pre-planned event
- PPE is not a protective ’bubble’
- Clothing is designed to reduce the risk of life changing or
life threatening 2nd & 3rd degree body burns
So how do we protect against Arc Flash....
An employer should ….
- Assess the workplace and identify any Arc risk
- Assess estimated heat energy of any Arc hazard via an Arc Flash
Assessment
- Ensure correct Flame Retardant clothing and PPE is supplied with an
Arc rating equal to or greater than the estimated heat energy
- Ensure that clothing is not worn that could melt onto the skin or that
could ignite and continue to burn when exposed to flame / Arc
TRANEMO Risk EvaluationCustomer
Risk Assessment
CertifiedGarments
EN ISO 11612 &
IEC 61482-2
ARC rating
Wearertest -
Comfort Function
Personal ProtectiveSystem
Inside & Out
Inherent Flame
Retardant
Industrial Laundry
Electric Arc
IEC 61482-2
EN 61482-1-1
EN 61482-1-2
Heat & Flame
EN ISO 11612
ATEX
EN 1149-5Chemicals
EN 13034
Welding
EN ISO 11611
Visible day & night
EN ISO 20471
Cold
EN 342
Rain
EN 343Heat & Flame
EN ISO 14116
EN STANDARDS – know your associated hazards
TRANEMO MARKING
Arc rating
Always on the outside
LOI-value
Always on the outsideCE-label
Inside garment
CE0403
Category III
Yearly control
Standards
Always on the outside
2 TEST METHODS
▪ Marking : IEC 61482-2
▪ US ’derived’ Open Arc test: EN 61482-1-1
▪ European ’derived’ Box test: EN 61482-1-2
IEC 61482-2
OPEN ARC TEST VALUES – EN61482-1-1
IEC 61482-2
ATPV = Arc Thermal Performance Value
EBT50 = Energy Breakopen Threshold
= Arc-Rating (expressed as cal/cm2)
Is the energy level which determines the 50% probability that the wearer will
get a 2nd degree burn
OPEN ARC TEST VALUES – EN 61482-1-1
IEC 61482-2
The EU Directive does not approve any probability of injury, hence
the requirement for additional Box Test
ELIM = Energy Limit
The highest energy value the garment can resist without the wearer
getting a 2nd degree burn
Hazard Risk Category
- Divided into 4 PPE-categories (known as HRC-Hazard Risk category)
- We recommend your outer layer to be at least 8 cal/cm2 (PPE 2) – the
incident energy likely to cause 3 rd degree burns
PPE 1 - 4-8cal/cm2
PPE 2 - 8-25cal/cm2
PPE 3 - 25-40cal/cm2
PPE 4 - > 40cal/cm2
A confusing process …..
- Arc flash PPE has only really come to the fore in the last 5 years
- Confusion between American (Open Arc) and European (Box)
testing methods
- Commercially attractive market
- Sometimes a little bit of knowledge can be counter productive!
So what should I look for in a manufacturer ?...
- Inherent FR fabrics – gives permanent protection
- Experience & History
- Functionality, Design and Comfort for wearer
- Certification
- Traceability in the Supply Chain