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HOW TO CHOOSE PPE
Based on your answers, Category 4 arc flash PPE is required for work if the equipment doors are open.
If the doors are closed, the arc flash PPE and arc flash boundary is not applicable.
You selected:
Arc-resistant switchgear 1 kV through 15 kV [for clearing times of less than 0.5 sec (30 cycles) with an available fault current not to exceed the arc-resistant rating of the equipment], and metal-enclosed interrupter switchgear, fused or unfused of arc-resistant-type construction, 1 kV through 15 kV.
Equipment Parameters:
Maximum of 35 kA available fault current; maximum of up to 0.24 sec (15 cycles) fault clearing time; minimum working distance 36 in.
Arc Flash Boundary:
40 feet (doors open); N/A (doors closed)
Category 4
40 cal/cm2 (167.5 J/cm2) (See Note A)
Select arc-rated clothing so that the system arc rating meets the required minimum arc rating.
Arc-Rated Clothing:
- 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 gloves (See note D)
- Arc-rated jacket, parka, rainwear, or hard hat liner (AN)
Required Protective Equipment:
- Hard hat
- Safety glasses or safety goggles (SR)
- Hearing protection (ear canal inserts) (See note C)
- Leather footwear
Image courtesy of Graphic Products.
Notes
AN: As needed (optional). AR: As required. SR: Selection required.
Note A: Arc rating is defined in Article 100 of NFPA 70E: Handbook for Electrical Safety in the Workplace (2018 edition).
Note 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.
Note 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.
Note 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.
