Understanding the Risk: Arc Flash and Its Hazards
Working with electrical equipment involves the risk of an arc flash, a sudden release of intense heat and light due to electrical faults, causing severe burns and injuries. To mitigate these risks, conducting a comprehensive risk assessment is crucial (refer to our blog on the 4Ps), alongside selecting appropriate protective clothing and equipment.
Assessing Clothing Effectiveness: The Arc Rating
To gauge the effectiveness of protective clothing against arc flash incidents, understanding the arc rating is pivotal. This numerical value indicates the level of protection offered by the clothing against the incident energy of an arc flash. Our arc rating is determined through the standardised open arc test, detailed in the international standard IEC 61482-1-1.
Understanding the Open Arc Test
Our Arc Flash Protective Coverall has been tested using the open arc method. This involves enclosing a specimen of clothing material or garment around an open arc source situated 300mm away. This arc source is formed using electrodes with adjustable arc gaps and currents, varying the arc's duration to create diverse incident energy levels on the specimen's surface.
Arc Ratings: ELIM, ATPV, and EBT
This test assesses heat transfer through the specimen and physical damage caused by the arc, including melting, charring, or breakopen. Based on these evaluations, three essential arc ratings are determined:
ELIM (Incident Energy Limit): Energy level with a 0% chance of causing a second-degree burn or breakopen.
ATPV (Arc Thermal Performance Value): Energy level with a 50% probability of causing a second-degree burn or breakopen.
EBT (Breakopen Threshold Energy): Energy level at which there is 50% probability of breakopen occurring.
Understanding Protection Levels
Higher arc ratings signify increased protection. For instance, our garment boasting an ATPV of 10 cal/cm² can reduce incident energy levels of 10 cal/cm² or less to a safer value of 1.2 cal/cm²—the threshold for a second-degree burn.
1.2 cal/cm² is the threshold for second-degree burns, marked by blisters after 24 hours. Shown in the Stoll curve, this was based on experiments where volunteers were exposed to heat on their forearms by Alice Stoll and Maria Chianta in the 1950s.
Our Armour Arc Flash Protective Coverall: Ensuring Safety
Our protective coverall showcases an impressive ATPV of 10 cal/cm² and an ELIM of 9.4 cal/cm². This means it's designed to shield against arc flashes with incident energy levels up to 10 cal/cm², exceeding the minimum requirement of 4 cal/cm² as per IEC 61482-2 standards. Additionally, it complies with railway safety standards RIS-3279-TOM for the orange models.
Achieve higher protection by layering
You can gain a higher level of arc protection by layering arc protective clothing to achieve a compounding effect.
Beyond Protection: Superior Design and Quality
Crafted from premium, durable materials, our garment prioritises comfort and breathability during extended use. Equipped with features like reflective strips, pockets, and concealed zips, it ensures convenience and safety.
Trust in Proven Protection
Rigorously tested and verified, our garment guarantees excellent protection against arc flash incidents, promising safety and comfort in electrical work environments.
Explore Further and Secure Your Safety Today
Visit our shop or reach out to us for more information on our garment and its ordering details. We're here to address any queries and help you discover the ideal solution for your safety needs. Thank you for choosing our garment—stay safe!