Yup, sounds crazy but this is how it works. The value is determined by the amount of incident energy required to transfer enough heat through the material to create a 50% probability that the person wearing the ppe will experience the onset of a second degree burn. The arc thermal performance value (ATPV) is the material’s ability to withstand the incident energy. We call that the arc flash incident energy. When you are performance testing arc flash apparel you expose the material to a certain amount of heat energy. Usually, it’s the arc thermal performance value or ATPV Rating. Whichever one comes first dictates the number that goes on the equipment’s tag. ASTM F2178/F2178M (arc rated face shields)ĭuring the testing, there are two things that can happen that determine the results of the test and therefore determine the arc rating.Īt certain incident energy, you will either reach the material’s Arc Thermal Performance Value or its Breakopen Threshold Energy.This depends on the type of personal protective equipment you are trying to get rated.Įach type of protection has its own standard (or standards) for testing that it must meet. You can accomplish this by sending it for laboratory testing.īasically, they blow up the clothing or equipment in a lab and see if it passes the test. In order to determine arc flash PPE, you will need to know the arc flash rating of a given material. ![]() If the arc rating is low, is PPE still required? Let’s just say we worked it out and it was 3.7 cal/cm2.Īs long as your arc flash gear had a arc rating higher than 3.7 cal/cm2 then you will be protected from the arc flash. You would be exposed to a certain amount of heat energy. So let’s say you are standing in front of 30 amp disconnect (600 volts) and an arc flash occurs. ![]() Typically, it’s measured in calories per square centimeter (cal/cm2). Incident energy is the amount of heat energy produced by the arc flash explosion. In order to understand the arc rating, you first need to understand what it is correlated to… There are many ways to achieve arc flash protection, but quite often your only option will be to use electrical arc flash PPE.Įnsuring you are covered head to toe with equipment that is properly rated is paramount to your safety. Using PPE to Protect Yourself from an Arc Flash. Primarily, arc flash PPE is divided into the following subgroups:Īll arc flash apparel and equipment must be given a specific arc rating to ensure that it meets or exceeds the hazard levels present where the work is to be performed. Arc flash personal protective equipment (PPE) is a combination of clothing and safety equipment worn for protection from arc flash and shock hazards by a person performing electrical work.
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