Arc Flash Training can Protect You, Your Employees and Your Business

If you have ever shorted the positive and negative connections on a battery or inadvertently shorted an AC (alternating current) power supply then you have seen some effects of the phenomena known as arc flash. Of course, these are very minimal representations because of the relatively low level voltage and amperage available. Arc flash is the incidental thermal energy, visible as light or felt as heat, that has been released. It occurs because electricity is difficult to control and often takes the path of least resistance.

To help you understand some problems associated with this discharge you may want to attend one of the available courses. Some of the best include useful tools like an arc flash training powerpoint presentation and discussions about arc flash calculations. Understanding how arc flash occurs and how it can be avoided may be the best way to protect yourself, your employees or anyone that may come in contact with a high voltage supply. This could be a larger problem than you think because high voltage supplies are in many of the buildings that people visit daily. It takes high voltage currents to supply enough electricity to power many large buildings including high rises and hospitals.



There are recommendations regarding arc flash and how to deal with it and protect yourself and others from it. The IEEE 1584 (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) and NFPA 70E (National Fire Protection Association) guidelines provide calculation information about arc flash, its dangers and the distances that it can travel among other relevant information. Just as importantly, the NFPA also recommends clothing and protective gear which should be used by anyone who must work on or around high voltage equipment or connections. Based on the information provided by these respected authorities, OSHA, the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration has created some specific guidelines that businesses and electrical supply systems must incorporate.

So, who should attend courses or view any educational materials such as that included in an arc flash labeling requirements presentation? Surprisingly, a lot of people. For instance, anyone who works with the installation or maintenance of high voltage equipment. This could be machines such as one might find in a machine shop or factory. Likewise, any electrician who will be handling the installation or maintenance of these high voltage electrical supplies. In some cases, your companies maintenance people may also need to have this training. Consider the people that repair your machines. Without the proper training, they could seriously harm themselves, the machine operators, your equipment or anyone who happens to be in the wrong place. Learn more at Leedy Electric Blog.