Arc Flashes: Taking a Closer Look at This Common Electrical Hazard

Arc flashes are a common electrical hazard in the workplace. Statistics show that over 20,000 work-related arc flash incidents occur each year. Some of these incidents cause hospitalizations or even fatalities. If you work with electricity, you should familiarize yourself with arc flashes to prevent them from occurring.

Overview of Arc Flashes

An arc flash involves the sudden and unintentional release of electrical energy. It typically occurs when there's a breakdown in the insulation around an electrical conductor. Electrical wires are conductors. They contain a conductive core, such as an aluminum or copper core, that's covered in an insulative material like plastic. If the insulation breaks down, electricity may escape and jump to a nearby conductor, thus causing an arc flash.

Arc flashes manifest in the form of intense heat, light, sound and pressure. Temperatures generated during an arc flash can reach 35,000 degrees Fahrenheit, which is hotter than the surface of the sun.

What Causes Arc Flashes?

As previously mentioned, arc flashes often involve the breakdown of insulation around an electrical conductor. Insulation is designed to contain electricity. It keeps electrical energy flowing through the conductor. As the insulation degrades, it will increase the risk of an arc flash.

Equipment failure may cause arc flashes as well. Aging or improperly maintained electrical equipment can develop faults that lead to arc flashes. Worn-out insulation in equipment can also increase the risk of an arc flash. By properly maintaining the electrical equipment in your workplace, you can create a safer working environment that's better protected against arc flashes.

The Dangers of Arc Flashes

Arc flashes are an electrical hazard. They can cause severe burns that take days or weeks to recover from. This is because arc flashes produce a substantial amount of heat. As previously mentioned, the temperature of an arc flash can exceed that of the surface of the sun. If you happen to standing nearby when an arc flash occurs, you may sustain a burn injury.

In addition to burns, arc flashes can cause fires. An arc flash may ignite nearby objects. From carpet and rugs to boxes, furniture and even walls, the intense heat of an arc flash can start a fire. Fires, of course, pose their own risks to the health and safety of workers.

The blast from an arc flash may cause bodily injury. Arc flashes aren't just hot; they are powerful. When an arc flash occurs, it will generate a pressure wave that can directly injure nearby workers.