What Is An Arc Flash?

Simply put, an arc flash is a phenomenon where a flashover of electric current leaves its intended path and travels through the air from one conductor to another, or to ground. The results are often violent and when a person is in close proximity to the arc flash, serious injury and even death can occur.

Data from the National Fire Protection Association, National Safety Council, and Bureau of Labor Statistics indicate that more than 3,600 disabling electrical contact injuries happen every year in the U.S. That is about 10 a day.

According to the NFPA 70E: Handbook for Electrical Safety in the Workplace, an arc flash hazard exists if the incident energy produced by a possible arc flash would expose some part of the employee’s body to the amount of energy that could cause a second-degree burn (1.2 cal/cm2).