Computer Aided Arc Flash Risk Assessment According to IEEE and DGUV Standards

Abstract

This paper presents an arc flash risk assessment procedure using different computer tools from different countries. Different computation methods according new requirements in NFPA 70E (2018), IEEE 1584 and DGUV I 203-077 standard. Three different software are used and compared incident energy (E I ) or full energy (W E ), arc flash boundary and the level of Personnel Protection Equipment (PPE). Arc flash risk assessment is today a mandatory part of each risk assessment for electrical workplaces and several recommendations exist in different countries. National OSHA rules in USA, EN 50110-1 in Europe and PPE Directive in Europe. A short circuit analysis is performed to calculate the values of arching currents and compute arc flash energy dissipated at busbars at HV and LV voltage busbars. Worst case scenario approach is used to examine what is highest level of Arc Thermal Performance Value (ATPV). There different software tools where used in computation: “EasyPower Arc Flash” (USA), BSD Arc Calculator (Germany) and RENblad 1710 (Norway). A practical sample case is presented and arc flash energy is computed and PPE recommended for high and low voltage busbars in one stone pit facility in Slovenia and biomass power plant in Croatia.