Living with arc flash mitigation

Developing an optimal arc flash protection strategy for a given facility can be difficult due to the number of solutions and system variables involved. Effective arc flash hazard reduction is best achieved by establishing an overall system protection strategy that accounts for safety and operational requirements as well as system reliability and availability. An overview of available solution categories and application guidance based on experience in a wide variety of facility types is presented in order to assist engineers trying to implement “safety by design” principles to help deal with arc flash hazards. The approach provided addresses the complexities of the trade-offs between competing priorities and provides tools that help users develop effective protection strategies for the unique circumstances in a given facility.