Electric arc incidents are among the most dangerous hazards faced by electrical workers. An arc occurs when electrical current jumps through the air between conductors, which can happen due to equipment failure, accidental contact with live components, or live work on damaged systems.
When an arc fault happens, it creates an intense and potentially deadly combination of heat, light, pressure, and flying debris. This makes the correct selection of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) critical to reduce the risk and severity of injury.
Heat and Fire Protection
Arc explosions can reach temperatures of 20,000°C, igniting fires and causing severe burns. Protective clothing must resist heat and prevent flame spread:
- EN 61482 defines arc protection clothing testing.
- Box test method: Class 1 (4kA) or Class 2 (7kA) performance.
- Open arc method: Garments receive an arc rating:
- ELIM – Incident Energy Limit
- ATPV – Arc Thermal Performance Value
- EBT – Breakopen Threshold Energy
- ISO 11612 sets standards for flame spread, heat resistance, and molten metal splash. It also includes optional tests for thermal arc protection and burn injury prediction.
Face and Eye Protection
Specialist faceshields are vital to protect against heat, debris, and light radiation:
- GS-ET-29: European test standard for arc-rated visors, covering thermal resistance and visible light transmittance.
- ASTM F2178 (American standard): Visors receive an ATPV rating in cal/cm².
- These visors must also resist high-speed impacts to protect from molten metal and fragments created during an arc blast.
Noise Hazards
The arc blast can create sound levels above 140dB, capable of causing permanent hearing damage:
- Hearing protection is essential, although not always fully effective at this level.
- Ear plugs are preferred over defenders due to lower risk of electrical conductivity.
Light Radiation
Arc flashes produce intense UV and visible light, posing a risk of blindness and long-term vision damage:
- GS-ET-29 also tests for visible light transmittance and UV filtering capabilities of faceshields.
Mitigation and Risk Management
PPE is only one layer of protection. Employers must carry out a risk assessment to:
- Identify specific arc hazards.
- Avoid live working wherever possible.
- Maintain and inspect electrical equipment regularly.
- Ensure workers receive up-to-date training.
Arc-rated PPE should be selected to provide combined protection against heat, flame, impact, UV light, and noise.
Summary – Key Points:
- Electric arcs create multiple hazards: heat, flame, light, sound, and impact.
- PPE must meet standards such as EN 61482, ISO 11612, GS-ET-29, and ASTM F2178.
- Arc-rated clothing and visors protect against burns, flying debris, and light radiation.
- Ear plugs are preferred hearing protection in arc environments.
- Risk assessments and safe work practices remain essential.
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