All You Need To Know About Arc Flash
Useful Information About Arc Flash
Arc Flash Hazard is a subject that is undergoing increased discussion in today’s safety-conscious environment. This is because an Arc Flash burn is the number one injury resulting from electrical malfunctions. So we have answered a number of pertinent questions for our readers.
What is Arc Flash?
An Arc Flash is an electrical current that is passed through the air when insulation or isolation between electrified conductors is no longer sufficient to withstand the applied voltage. The extremely high temperatures of these arcs, about four times as high as that of the sun’s surface, can set fire to clothing and severely burn human skin in fractions of a section at a significant distance from the events. The sound blast alone can cause eardrums to rupture.
How is Arc Flash Measured?
In order to identify the specific arc flash hazard at a given piece of equipment within a facility, an arc flash study must be performed. The result of the arc flash study will categorise the hazard at specific equipment based on the incident energy, as well as identify the Arc Flash Protective Boundary – this is the closest approach allowed before PPE must be worn. Inside the Arc Flash Protection Boundary, a worker must be wearing PPE.
What PPE should you wear?
At Elliotts, we recommend that FR clothing should be standard for any employee working on or near energised electrical systems. This will ensure that workers' clothing offers protection from an arc flash exposure rather than producing an additional hazard. The clothing must offer maximum protection while ensuring the worker is comfortable.
Arc Flash, Arc Rated FR clothing and other PPE should be provided as a last line of defense in the event there is an accident and to ensure workers are protected from harm which can result in severe injury or even death.
Why should you choose Elliotts’ products?
Elliotts manufactures and customises a large range of industry-specific Arc Flash Arc Rated Protective Clothing for the Australasian Market. There are many brands of Arc Flash or Switching clothing being imported into Australia that are produced in either the USA or Europe. Elliotts’ Arc Flash Protective Clothing is manufactured in Australia for Australasian conditions.
Elliotts Arc Flash or Switching clothing is manufactured by Tencate Tecasafe Plus and is available in coats, leggings, jackets, trousers, and hoods. Our stock range ArcSafe Tecasafe plus garments are made from high visibility orange materials. Each garment meets the requirements of NFPA 70E and the Coats, jackets, and trousers have been certified to AS/NZS 4602:1999 High Visibility Safety Garments by SAI Global. The Elliotts ArcSafe HRC4 hoods have been tested to ASTM F2178 and the garments tested to ASTM F2621-06.
Elliotts’ quality Personal Protective Clothing (PPC) and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) are proven on the job every day. These reliable and popular products are part of a comprehensive range that evolved over time and is based on the common foundation of quality and care for which the company has built its reputation.
Elliotts’ quality safety gear allows you to take care in any situation. See our range of Arc Flash safety workwear and equipment.
CONTACT US
If you would like to enquire more about our work safety products and PPEs, feel free to get in contact with us at Elliotts Australia. We would love to assist you! Call us on 07 3265 2944 or send us a message.
