Mitigating Electric Shock and Arc-Flash Energy: A Total System Approach for Personnel and Equipment Protection

This article provides a comprehensive discussion of the application and selection of various techniques and technologies available for the reduction and mitigation of arc-fault hazards to personnel and equipment. It also presents a broad approach that considers the total electrical system configuration and design. No technology can address all safety concerns. Current available technologies, such as optical light detection, pressure detection, temperature detection, and current signatures, for reducing arcflash hazard are discussed, and the advantages and disadvantages of each technique are outlined. An analysis is presented about how a total system approach can optimize the benefits of various technologies by using complementary technologies such as impedance grounding, equipment construction, and operational techniques. The importance of the fundamental power system configuration selection, equipment design aspects, and maintenance is also discussed.