Arc Flash Hazard Analysis
IEEE 1584 arc flash calculations, incident energy analysis, PPE labeling, and electrical safety program support.
What is an Arc Flash Study?
An arc flash hazard analysis calculates incident energy levels at electrical equipment locations to determine appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and establish safe work practices. The study uses IEEE 1584 methodology to evaluate arcing fault behavior, clearing times, and worker exposure risk.
Results are used to create arc flash labels, define arc flash boundaries, specify PPE categories, and support NFPA 70E compliance. The analysis identifies locations where incident energy exceeds safe levels and recommends mitigation strategies to reduce worker exposure.
This study is required by OSHA and NFPA 70E for facilities where employees perform work on or near energized electrical equipment. It is critical for worker safety, regulatory compliance, and liability management.
When This Study Is Required
NFPA 70E / OSHA Compliance
Regulatory requirement for electrical safety programs
New Facilities or Major Changes
Installations, expansions, equipment replacements
Periodic Updates
Every 5 years or when system changes occur
Insurance or Audit Requirements
Risk management and liability reduction
What eGridSync Delivers
IEEE 1584-2018 incident energy calculations at all relevant equipment
Arc flash boundary determination
PPE category and required equipment specifications
Arc flash label data and design
Incident energy reduction recommendations
Short-circuit study (if not already completed)
Coordination review for clearing time verification
Final arc flash report with equipment-level results table
Label-ready output for facility implementation
Inputs Required (Data Request Checklist)
| Item | Examples | Why Required |
|---|---|---|
| One-line diagram | Equipment locations, voltages, protection devices | Define study scope |
| Short-circuit data | Fault currents at each bus | Required for all arc flash calculations |
| Protection device data | Relay settings, breaker types, fuse curves | Determines fault clearing time |
| Equipment spacing | Working distance, enclosure dimensions | Affects incident energy exposure |
| Electrode configuration | VCB, VCBB, HCB per IEEE 1584 | Determines arc characteristics |
| Existing labels (if applicable) | Previous study data | Baseline comparison |
Arc Flash Safety Principles
Incident Energy
Heat energy exposure measured in cal/cm²
Arc Flash Boundary
Distance where incident energy equals 1.2 cal/cm²
PPE Category
Required protective equipment level (0-4)
Clearing Time
Protection system response determines energy release
Common Arc Flash Hazards
High Incident Energy at Main Service
Utility source contribution and slow clearing creating dangerous exposure levels
Inadequate Protection Coordination
Slow fault clearing increasing incident energy unnecessarily
Missing or Outdated Labels
Workers unaware of hazard levels and required PPE
System Changes Without Update
Labels no longer accurate after equipment or protection changes
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an arc flash study?
Analysis to determine arc flash incident energy and required PPE for safe work practices.
Why is this required?
NFPA 70E and OSHA require arc flash hazard assessments for electrical safety.
Do you provide labels?
Yes—we provide label design and data ready for printing.
What standard do you use?
IEEE 1584-2018 for most systems; IEEE 1584-2002 if specifically required.
How does coordination affect arc flash?
Faster fault clearing reduces incident energy and arc flash category.
Can you reduce incident energy?
Yes—via coordination improvements, faster relays, zone-selective interlocking, or maintenance mode settings.
What if the category is too high?
We recommend mitigation strategies to reduce exposure.
Do you support NFPA 70E compliance?
Yes—analysis aligns with NFPA 70E requirements.
How often should studies be updated?
Every 5 years or when system changes occur.
Can you train our staff?
We can provide recommendations; training should be done by qualified safety providers.
Ready for Arc Flash Analysis?
Contact eGridSync for IEEE 1584 arc flash studies and electrical safety support.