Open AccessDetermine the Electrode Configuration and Sensitivity of the Enclosure Dimensions When Performing Arc Flash Analysis
Author(s) -
Kaynat Zia,
Anusha Papasani,
David Rosewater,
Wei-Jen Lee
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
ieee transactions on industry applications
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.19
H-Index - 195
eISSN - 1939-9367
pISSN - 0093-9994
DOI - 10.1109/tia.2020.3020531
Subject(s) - power, energy and industry applications , signal processing and analysis , fields, waves and electromagnetics , components, circuits, devices and systems
Arc flash hazard prediction methods have become more sophisticated because the knowledge about arc flash phenomenon has advanced since the publication of IEEE Std. 1584-2002. The IEEE Std. 1584-2018 has added parameters for more accurate arc flash incident energy (IE), arcing current, and protection boundary estimation. The parameters in the updated estimation models include electrode configuration, open circuit voltage, bolted fault current, arc duration, gap width, working distance, and enclosure dimension. The sensitivity and effect changes of other parameters have been discussed in the previous literatures. This article explains the fundamental theory on the selection of electrode configurations and performs sensitivity analysis of the enclosure dimension that have been introduced in the IEEE Std. 1584-2018. According to the newly published model for IE estimation, the IE between vertical conductors inside a metal box (VCB) and horizontal conductors inside a metal box (HCB) can differ by a factor of two with other parameter constants. Using HCB as the worst-case scenario to determine the personal protection requirements may not be the best practice in all circumstances. This article provides guidance for electrode configuration selection and a sensitivity analysis for determining a reasonable engineering margin when actual dimension is not available.