The European Arc Flash Guide
A practical approach to the management of arc flash risk in electrical power systems for designers, duty holders, consultants, service providers and health & safety specialists
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Why did I write this book? My answer to that question is: Because I care passionately about electrical safety. Arc flash risk management is sometimes seen as a difficult subject with responsible persons and duty holders often confused about what they must do to keep their workplaces safe and to comply with the law. In addition to that, there is a perception that there is great expense required in managing the hazard through time and software in particular. This is a subject area that has been very PPE centric in the last 10 years and I wanted to get the message across that preventative techniques should always be prioritised. In addition, personal injury, while being devastating for the individuals concerned, is just one item on a long list of potential losses from an arc flash accident. I have been one of the most prolific exponents of arc flash risk management and electrical safety in Europe over many years, and my desire is to share my experience and knowledge of the subject. My experience, garnered by trudging around cement mills, power stations, steel works, food companies, quarries, electrical distribution networks and countless other sectors, together with the hours of debate with foremost experts in the arc flash arena has taught me a great deal. Things like the over complication of the risk assessment process and also the common myths and mistakes that I have come across. That is why I was particularly keen to document them under a chapter of the same name, Chapter 12: Myths and Mistakes. There is, therefore, a need to simplify the process and to make access to the predictive tools accessible to all. Because of that, I felt that I possessed the knowledge and experience to meet this need and my personal mission is to: Inform and influence duty holders, designers, and service providers to reduce danger from electrical arcing, by providing quick, simple, accessible, and accurate predictive tools coupled with practical advice. When I founded Electrical Safety UK Limited in 2004, one of my objectives was to be able to predict the level of harm from an arcing incident. After all, “if you can't measure it, you can't manage it”. That is what first led me to the USA to learn about applying the IEEE 1584 Guide for Performing Arc Flash Hazard Calculations from first principles and using written worksheet and a calculator. Improvements in predictive techniques for the arc hazard requires designers in particular to understand that they have a duty to reduce the level of harm to people and equipment from arcing faults. Indeed, it has been my experience that more than 90% of dangerous conditions can be reduced by simple protection device alterations and adjustments. With that in mind, it is technically feasible to protect against excess current in the majority of arcing situations. Whilst this book is predominantly about arc flash from arcing faults, there is much evidence to prove that low level arcing accounts for a great deal of loss of human life and property due to fires. Anything that I can do to shine a light on these issues and prompt more debate and future research about arcing has got to be welcomed in my view.
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About the Book
This book is essential reading for anyone responsible for designing or putting workers to task on, or near, large power electrical systems. This is especially relevant where local health and safety law uses a risk-based approach to electrical safety such as in Europe.
It is based upon a bedrock of risk management methodology using the 4Ps of Predict, Prevent, Process and Protect to ensure that arc flash hazards are systematically identified, analysed, and prevented from causing harm. Each of the 4Ps are described in detail starting with a quantitative prediction of harm from the arc flash hazard and then a separate chapter on prevention based upon practical measures avoid or minimise harm set against a hierarchy of risk control measures. The chapter on process, policy and procedures gives advice on a methodical approach to creating rules and ensuring competence. Finally, the chapter on protection describes, as a last resort, how personal protective equipment can be selected, used, and maintained.
This book is packed with the fruits of the author’s vast experience and there is a chapter dedicated to myths and mysteries as well as separate chapters for electrical utilities, duty holders, service providers, contractors, legislation, and data collection.
About the Author
Mike Frain is one of the most prolific exponents of arc flash risk management and electrical safety in Europe over many years. The author is a dual national of the Republic of Ireland and United Kingdom and has been at the forefront of raising awareness about the management of the arc flash risk in a very practical way in accordance with European standards. He is an authority on the drafting and training of electrical safety procedures and processes and has been trusted to deliver electrical safety consultancy advice for numerous household names in most sectors of industry across Europe.
As a Chartered Engineer and Fellow of the Institution of Engineering & Technology, Mike has held senior management positions in electrical safety, contracting, utilities, consultancy, and facilities maintenance companies having direct responsibility for putting people to work on a full range of complex and large power electrical systems. He is an Expert for the British Standards Institute and International Electrotechnical Commission Live Working committees, Convener for the IEC Arc Flash Working Group (TC 78 WG 15) and the Team Leader for the IEC arc flash end user guidance project team. He is the Vice Chair of the IET Engineering Safety Policy Panel and leads the Arc Flash Working Group.