Research Article Nikolovski et al., J Ind Electron Appl 2017, 1:1 Journal of Industrial Electronics & Applications All articles published in Journal of Industrial Electronics & Applications are the property of SciTechnol, and is protected by copyright laws. Copyright © 2017, SciTechnol, All Rights Reserved. a SciTechnol journal International Publisher of Science, Technology and Medicine Arc Flash Analysis and Techniques for Hazard Reduction Using Smart Protective Devices Srete Nikolovski*, Dragan Mlakic and Emir Alibasic Abstract This paper presents an arc fash risk assessment taking care of the protection device coordination procedure in order to reduce incident arc fash energy at low voltage busbars in a biomass power plant. The mitigations were measured and presented to reduce incident arc fash energy using the appropriate smart protection device software. A short circuit analysis is performed to calculate the values of short circuit currents and compute arc fash energy dissipated at busbars at low voltage busbars in the biomass power plant. An arc fash can cause damages to electrical equipment and personnel. In this paper, three main techniques were considered, namely arc fash prevention, prediction and monitoring, detection and reduction using a smart arc fash module and proper protection coordination software. A practical sample case is presented for low voltage busbars in one biomass power plant in Croatia. Keywords Arc fash; Short circuit; Mitigation measures; Protection devices; Time current coordination; Low voltage busbars; Biomass power plant Introduction Our increased dependence on renewable energy sources and a need to improve the reliability of distribution networks has resulted in a lower tolerance of any power outage and higher security for personnel and equipment. Consequently, it has created a need for electrical workers to perform maintenance work on energized electrical equipment (live working conditions). In addition to the electrical shock hazard that results from a direct contact of live conductors with a body, workers are also exposed to the injury risk due to accidental initiation of electric arcs. Arc fash injuries can occur without any direct contact with energized parts. Tis arc fash hazard, due to arcing faults, has existed from the beginning of the electric power industry but it has only recently been addressed as a specifc problem and hazard in electrical safety programs and national safety codes. Electrical environment is changing fast and the power industry is considering innovations in the electrical systems designs, equipment and protection aiming to limit the arc fash hazard as it is detrimental *Corresponding author: Srete Nikolovski, Department of Power Engineering, University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia; Tel: +3850912246005; Fax: 385 31 224 6005; E-mail: srete.nikolovski@etfos.hr Received: December 05, 2017 Accepted: December 10, 2017 Published: December 26, 2017 to the worker safety. Tis raises new issues in the power system design, analysis, and computation and simulations [1]. Protection devices and new techniques for the arc fash detection and fast elimination are essential for the electric power industry analysis in order to avoid damages due to an arc fash produced by short circuit currents [2]. Arc fash hazards can result from many factors, including dropped tools, accidental contact with electrical systems, build up of conductive dust, corrosion and inadequate work procedures. An arc is produced by a fow of electric current through ionized air afer an initial fashover or short circuit resulting in ash that can cause signifcant heating and burn injuries. An arc fash is very dangerous because it produces dangerous levels of radiant heat energy capable of causing severe burns and ignition of clothing, which can result in treatment requiring years of skin grafing, rehabilitation and even death. Spray droplets of molten metal, with the explosion distributing the molten metal and shrapnel produced by the arc can be expanded to a large area. Produced blast pressure waves can blow workers across the room and knocked them of ladders. Arc fash can result in personnel deafness [3]. Te arc fash analysis and hazard assessment are diferently normed in the USA and EU countries. In the USA, IEEE 1584-2002 entitled “IEEE Guide for Performing Arc-Flash Hazard Calculations” is standard. It provides a methodology for calculating prospective arc fash hazards [4]. Based on the test data, the IEEE 1584 committee defned empirical equations to calculate arc fash incident energy for AC systems. Although OSHA-Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 has not specially addressed the arc fash, the existing and new provisions impact are as addressed: OSHA 1910.132 (d), and 1926.28 (a). OSHA considers NFPA 70E a consensus industry standard for assessing arc fash standards [5]. An employer is responsible to: 1) assess the hazards in the work place; 2) select, have and use the correct PPE; 3) document the assess distance. OSHA considers arc fash assessments that follow NFPA 70E. Tey have to be in line with OSHA requirements and protect workers from electrical safety hazards [6,7]. In the EU, IEC standard does not pay a special attention to the arc fash energy calculation but it has a standard for PPE-personnel protection equipment for arc fash protection equipment testing. IEC 61482-1 and the identical EN 61482-1 are split into two parts which cover the methods for testing of clothing fabrics and garments that are designed to protect against arc fashes. IEC 61482-1-2 and the identical E 61482-1-2, which now supersedes ENV 50354, have become known as the “box test”. Tere are two test method versions - the “material box test”, which includes the heat transfer measurements, stoll curve diferential analysis, and the “garment box test”, which requires only a visual assessment of the garment performance [8]. Te box-test standard defnes two testing conditions, namely Class 1 and Class 2: