Arc Fault Protection
- Arc faults arise from unintended electrical arcs and pose serious hazards like fire, blast pressure, and equipment damage.
- Effective arc fault protection uses a layered approach: risk assessment, technical controls, PPE, and operational procedures.
- Solutions range from rapid arc‑detection systems that interrupt faults within milliseconds to arc‑rated clothing and switchgear design to safeguard personnel and infrastructure.
An arc fault is a rare phenomenon, but a serious hazard. It occurs as an electrical gas discharge due to a technical defect, maloperation, impurities, as well as foreign objects in the system. Arc faults are among the most dangerous electrical hazards in industrial and commercial environments. They can cause intense heat, pressure waves, toxic gases, and even fires. Thus, arc faults put both people and equipment at serious risk. As electrical systems become more complex and compact, the likelihood and also the potential impact of arc faults increase. That’s why comprehensive arc fault protection is essential through a combination of preventive design, fast detection, and proper personal protective equipment (PPE).
Therefore, you should plan your arc fault protection holistically for optimum protection. With the right measures, you will ensure the safety of your employees, optimize the fire protection of your electrical system, and also ensure that it runs reliably.
Safe when it matters most.
Follow the Hierarchy of Risk Control
As a general rule, hazards are always eliminated at their source. If this does not suffice, you can take further preventive measures as per the hierarchy of risk control in accordance with NFPA 70 E.
- Elimination: disconnect all electrical equipment completely
- Substitution: internal arc fault mitigation system (IAMS)
- Engineering Controls: adjustment of circuit breaker settings
- Awareness: arc flash labelling
- Administrative Controls: planned work procedures
- PPE: arc-rated PPE
Where do Arc Faults Occur?
An arc fault is an unintentional electric arc or spark discharge that occurs between two electrically charged conductors or between a conductor and a conductive material. Arc faults can occur in a variety of electrical systems and equipment, especially switchgear. Electric arcs can generate high temperatures, cause fires, and also endanger human lives.
However, arc faults are not only a threat to your team. They also have a negative effect on system availability and endanger the permanent electrical power supply. A fault in the switchgear can quickly lead to massive damage, standstills, as well as high losses.
How does an Arc Fault Occur?
An arc fault is created when an electric arc occurs in an uncontrolled manner and in a place where it is not intended. More specifically, interruption or damage to cables, dirt or moisture, poor connections or loose cables and short circuits can result in a major arc faults.
Another cause that should not be underestimated is human error – for example, by dropping tools, live working on supposedly isolated equipment or using unsuitable measuring devices.
How can I Protect my Team and Myself?
Persons working on or in the vicinity of live electrical equipment are, in principle, exposed to hazards associated with arc faults.
An appropriately comprehensive and detailed risk assessment is always the first step in the design of protection concepts. This is also a matter of proportionality and of effective measures. Whenever personal protective equipment is no longer suitable, technical measures are taken.
Choosing suitable personal protective equipment with protective clothing, head and face protection and hand protection against the thermal effects of an arc fault is a fundamental element in protecting your team.
Assess the Hazard, Minimize the Risk with Arc Fault Protection
Regardless of whether you want to expand your arc fault protection concept with additional measures or to develop a new concept, from legal bases to documentation, think holistically for the best possible protection against arc faults.
Your path to all-round protection: DEHN supports you in the planning and realization of your individual concept. Just contact us and we will work together to develop the right protection solution for you.
The protection against arc faults implemented with DEHNshort significantly exceeds the requirements of test criteria from DIN EN 61439-2, suppl. 1 (IEC TR 61641 Ed. 3 from 2014).
Active Arc Fault Protection with DEHNshort
Technical details of the active arc fault protection system and information about the associated components can be found here. Get an overview and contact us for your project.