NFPA 70E Table 130.7(C)(15)(c): PPE Categories

The details for each arc flash PPE category can be found below.

TABLE 130.7(C)(15)(c) Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Category 1
Arc-Rated Clothing, Minimum Arc Rating of 4 cal/cm2 (16.75 J/cm2) A
Arc-rated long-sleeve shirt and pants OR arc-rated coverall
Arc-rated face shieldB OR arc flash suit hood
Arc-rated jacket, parka, rainwear, or hard hat liner (AN)
‍
Protective Equipment
Hard hat
Safety glasses or safety goggles (SR)
Hearing protection (ear canal inserts)C
Heavy-duty leather glovesD
Leather footwear (AN)

Category 2
Arc-Rated Clothing, Minimum Arc Rating of 8 cal/cm2 (33.5 J/cm2) A
Arc-rated long-sleeve shirt and pants or arc-rated coverall
Arc-rated flash suit hood or arc-rated face shieldB and arc-rated balaclava
Arc-rated jacket, parka, rainwear, or hard hat liner (AN)
‍
Protective Equipment
Hard hat
Safety glasses or safety goggles (SR)
Hearing protection (ear canal inserts)C
Heavy-duty leather glovesD
Leather footwear

Category 3
Arc-Rated Clothing Selected so That the System Arc Rating Meets the Required Minimum Arc Rating of 25 cal/cm2 (104.7 J/cm2) A
Arc-rated long-sleeve shirt (AR)
Arc-rated pants (AR)
Arc-rated coverall (AR)
Arc-rated arc flash suit jacket (AR)
Arc-rated arc flash suit pants (AR)
Arc-rated arc flash suit hood
Arc-rated glovesD
Arc-rated jacket, parka, rainwear, or hard hat liner (AN)
‍
Protective Equipment
Hard hat
Safety glasses or safety goggles (SR)
Hearing protection (ear canal inserts)C
Leather footwear

Category 4
Arc-Rated Clothing Selected so That the System Arc Rating Meets the Required Minimum Arc Rating of 40 cal/cm2 (167.5 J/cm2) A
Arc-rated long-sleeve shirt (AR)
Arc-rated pants (AR)
Arc-rated coverall (AR)
Arc-rated arc flash suit jacket (AR)
Arc-rated arc flash suit pants (AR)
Arc-rated arc flash suit hood
Arc-rated glovesD
Arc-rated jacket, parka, rainwear, or hard hat liner (AN)
‍
Protective Equipment
Hard hat
Safety glasses or safety goggles (SR)
Hearing protection (ear canal inserts)C
Leather footwear

(AN) As needed (optional).
(AR) As required.
(SR) Selection required.

A Arc rating is defined in Article 100.

B Face shields are to have wrap-around guarding to protect not only the face but also the forehead, ears, and neck, or, alternatively, an arc-rated arc flash suit hood is required to be worn.

C Other types of hearing protection are permitted to be used in lieu of or in addition to ear canal inserts provided they are worn under an arc-rated arc flash suit hood.

D If rubber insulating gloves with leather protectors are used, additional leather or arc-rated gloves are not required. The combination of rubber insulating gloves with leather protectors satisfies the arc flash protection requirement.

PPE selection Tables

NFPA 70E Table 130.7(C)(15)(c): PPE Categories