Currents of an electrical nature that move through the air from one point to another are referred to as arc flashes. They explode from a source of high voltage and can cause considerable damage to metals and electronic circuit boards in the nearby vicinity due to their intense heat (5,000 degrees or even hotter). Flashes such as these can even cause bodily harm to humans, because of their brightness, strength and temperature. An arc flash analysis to understand the potential risk of such a disaster happening is therefore important, and is supported by the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) and the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers).
Flashes of this nature happen because of a change of air resistance that occurs nearby a powerful electrical gadget. When the air resistance weakens, it can allow electricity to be released into mid-air, and this sudden release or explosion of energy is the arc flash. The released energy then moves to a different surface, live conductor or other object.
This horribly dangerous occurrence puts human lives at risk, even though they happen so briefly. This is due to their incredible heat, and suddenness. Besides electrical injuries which may be sustained, the flashes will also damage all electrical devices involved.
There are certain circumstances which cause these types of flashes to happen. In general, machinery of good condition will not cause a threat, however, if the electrical device is faulty, there could be a potential risk. Faults that could cause an explosion include corrosion, insulation gaps and unintentional static electricity. Only machines generating high voltage, for example, a phase bus bar, will cause explosions because the flashes need a large amount of energy to occur. They are therefore more common in 600 or more voltage generators.
The danger imposed to people in the nearby vicinity of the flash includes burns from the flashes themselves, which have sometimes been found to be as hot as 5,000 degrees, and burns and other injuries from flying metal, molten metal pieces and hot gas. A person's eyes are particularly at risk. Flashes are virtually instantaneously hot and powerful, and are therefore very dangerous.
It is the duty of industrial companies to inform their employees of the OSHA regulations that can prevent such incidents. Although they cannot always be avoided, their possibility of occurrence can be lowered by using the right tools and by correct maintenance procedures. Employees may also like to safeguard themselves from burns by wearing clothing that is flame retardant.
Unfortunately, arc flashes are not a rare happening. In fact, there are up to five or more flashes every day in the US. People in ordinary home environments are not at risk, but those working with the wiring or installation of heavy machinery are.
Experts who are involved in arc flash analysis should take the proper care to safeguard themselves from injuries. There is a certain area around the conductor that is considered as dangerous to unprotected individuals, and is known as the 'flash protection boundary'. Within this boundary someone without protection is 50% likely to incur second degree burns.
Flashes of this nature happen because of a change of air resistance that occurs nearby a powerful electrical gadget. When the air resistance weakens, it can allow electricity to be released into mid-air, and this sudden release or explosion of energy is the arc flash. The released energy then moves to a different surface, live conductor or other object.
This horribly dangerous occurrence puts human lives at risk, even though they happen so briefly. This is due to their incredible heat, and suddenness. Besides electrical injuries which may be sustained, the flashes will also damage all electrical devices involved.
There are certain circumstances which cause these types of flashes to happen. In general, machinery of good condition will not cause a threat, however, if the electrical device is faulty, there could be a potential risk. Faults that could cause an explosion include corrosion, insulation gaps and unintentional static electricity. Only machines generating high voltage, for example, a phase bus bar, will cause explosions because the flashes need a large amount of energy to occur. They are therefore more common in 600 or more voltage generators.
The danger imposed to people in the nearby vicinity of the flash includes burns from the flashes themselves, which have sometimes been found to be as hot as 5,000 degrees, and burns and other injuries from flying metal, molten metal pieces and hot gas. A person's eyes are particularly at risk. Flashes are virtually instantaneously hot and powerful, and are therefore very dangerous.
It is the duty of industrial companies to inform their employees of the OSHA regulations that can prevent such incidents. Although they cannot always be avoided, their possibility of occurrence can be lowered by using the right tools and by correct maintenance procedures. Employees may also like to safeguard themselves from burns by wearing clothing that is flame retardant.
Unfortunately, arc flashes are not a rare happening. In fact, there are up to five or more flashes every day in the US. People in ordinary home environments are not at risk, but those working with the wiring or installation of heavy machinery are.
Experts who are involved in arc flash analysis should take the proper care to safeguard themselves from injuries. There is a certain area around the conductor that is considered as dangerous to unprotected individuals, and is known as the 'flash protection boundary'. Within this boundary someone without protection is 50% likely to incur second degree burns.
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