Technical Guide

Category: Arc Flash Subcategory: Mitigation

Modeling Arc Flash Mitigation Technique Using the SKM Power*Tools for Windows Software Lowell L. Oriel

Arc flash is one of the most dangerous workplace hazards. It could cause serious injuries and fatalities. Furthermore, it could cost companies millions in damage to equipment as well as workers compensation. An arc flash incident occurs when electric current passes between two conducting metal through ionized air. When this phenomenon happens, a large amount of heat (incident energy) is released that can severely burn human skin and set clothing on fire. Besides the intense heat that could reach up to 5000F, electrical arc flash also produces high-pressure blast with molten metal and shrapnel, as well as deaf dying sounds. Equations developed by electrical safety standards (IEEE 1584 and NFPA 70E) to calculate the potential incident energy caused by an arcing fault indicates that the faster the arcing fault is cleared, the lower the incident energy. Therefore, one of the best and efficient ways to mitigate arc flash incident energy is to clear the arcing fault as fast as possible. There are various ways to clear the arcing fault. One way is by simply modifying the existing settings of protective devices. Another way is to apply new technologies that have been developed to clear the arcing fault instantly during an arc flash incident. Finally, another way is by taking advantage of alternative protection schemes such as differential protection and zone interlocking, since these types of schemes clear the fault instantaneously. The various arc flash mitigation techniques mentioned above will be illustrated and modeled using the SKM Power*Tools for Windows software.

Technical Guide

Category: Arc Flash Subcategory: Mitigation

Changing Instantaneous and STPU setting The easiest way to reduce clearing time of arc fault is by reducing the instantaneous setting or the short time pickup (STPU) setting of a protective device. The following four figures illustrate this. Figure 1 shows a partial single line modeled in SKM software along with its corresponding time current curve (TCC). From the figure, we can see that if the fault happens on the E SWBD(Critical Switchboard), the arcing current of 15.95 kA going through, CSWB MCB will clear the fault at 0.215 seconds. This will produce a total incident energy of 11.3 cal/cm2.
CURRENT IN AMPERES

100

0.5

10

10K 1000 100

CR HVAC FDR CSWBD MCB - Phase

SIEMENS SHND6, Sensitrip III SHND6 Trip 1200.0 A Plug 1200.0 A Settings Phase LTPU (20-100% x P) 80 % (960A) LTD (2.2-27 Sec.) 4 STPU (1.5-10 x LTPU) 2 (1920A) STD (0.05-0.0 Sec.) 0.2 Sec (I^2t In) INST (2-40 x LTPU) 20 (19200A)

1K

CRITICAL SWITCHBOARD
CSWBD MCB E SWBD CSWBD FCB-2

11.3 Cal/cm^2 @ 18 inches PPE Category 3

CSWBD FCB-3

CSWBD FCB-1

10

CSWBD FCB-1 - Phase

TIME IN SECONDS

CSWBD FCB-3 - Phase

15.95 kA Arcing Current @ 0.215 seconds

40ft

CSWBD FCB-2 - Phase

CR HVAC FDR CR HVAC

COMPUTER ROOM HVAC

0.10

0.01

TCC: AF_E SWBD

Current Scale x 10

Reference Voltage: 480

October 13, 2011

Figure 1

Technical Guide

Category: Arc Flash Subcategory: Mitigation

Now, if the instantaneous setting of the CSWB MCB device is changed from 20 to 10, as in Figure 2, it will then clear the fault at 0.018 seconds. This will then produce a total reduced incident energy of 1.0 cal/cm2.

CURRENT IN AMPERES

100

0.5

10

10K 1000 100

CR HVAC FDR

CSWBD MCB - Phase

Name CSWBD MCB ManufacturerSIEMENS Type SHND6, Sensitrip III Frame/Model SHND6 Trip 1200.0 A Plug 1200.0 A Settings Phase LTPU (20-100% x P) 80 % (960A) LTD (2.2-27 Sec.) 4 STPU (1.5-10 x LTPU) 2 (1920A) STD (0.05-0.0 Sec.) 0.2 Sec (I^2t In) INST (2-40 x LTPU) 10 (9600A)

1K

CRITICAL SWITCHBOARD 1 Cal/cm^2

CSWBD MCB E SWBD CSWBD FCB-2

@ 18 inches PPE Category 0

CSWBD FCB-3

CSWBD FCB-1

10 TIME IN SECONDS

CSWBD FCB-1 - Phase

CSWBD FCB-3 - Phase

15.95 kA Arcing Current @ 0.018 seconds

40ft

CSWBD FCB-2 - Phase

CR HVAC FDR CR HVAC

COMPUTER ROOM HVAC

0.10

0.01

TCC: AF_E SWBD

Current Scale x 10

Reference Voltage: 480

October 13, 2011

Figure 2

Technical Guide

Category: Arc Flash Subcategory: Mitigation

An example of how changing the STPU of a protective could also reduce the incident can be seen in Figure 3 and 4. Figure 3 shows a partial single line modeled in SKM software along with its corresponding time current curve (TCC). From Figure 3, we can see that if the fault happens on bus MCC#1A, the arcing current of 9.38 kA going through, 52-SUB3A-MCC1A will clear the fault at 0.24 seconds. This will produce a total incident energy of about 10.4 cal/cm2.

CURRENT IN AMPERES

100

0.5

10

10K

1K

50/51-MSB1-SUB3A - Phase

1000

MSB-1 52-MSB1-SUB3A 50/51-MSB1-SUB3A CBL-012

O/L BLWR#2 T3A 52-SUB3A-MN

100

89-T3A-PRI B-T3A-PRI
P S

T3A

10 TIME IN SECONDS

52-SUB3A-MN SUB-3A 52-TIE-3A&3B 52-SUB3A-MCC1A

50/51-MSB1-SUB3A - Phase 52-SUB3A-MCC1A

1

9.38 kA Arcing @ 0.24 seconds

0.10

Fault
10.4 Cal/cm^2 @ 18 inches PPE Category 3

CBL-013 MCC#1A MCP BLWR#2 O/L BLWR#2 CBL-0075

0.01

BLWR#2
TCC: MCC#1A_bus Current Scale x 10 Reference Voltage: 480 October 13, 2011

Figure 3

Technical Guide

Category: Arc Flash Subcategory: Mitigation

Now, if he STPU setting of the 52-SUB3A-MCC1A device is reduced from 0.2 to 0.1, as in Figure 4, it will then clear the fault at 0.15 seconds. This will then produce an arc-flash incident energy of 6.7 cal/cm2.

CURRENT IN AMPERES

100

0.5

10

10K

MSB-1
1000

1K

50/51-MSB1-SUB3A - Phase 50/51-MSB1-SUB3A - DT 3000

52-MSB1-SUB3A 50/51-MSB1-SUB3A CBL-012

O/L BLWR#2 T3A 52-SUB3A-MN

100

89-T3A-PRI B-T3A-PRI
P S

T3A

10 TIME IN SECONDS

52-SUB3A-MN

50/51-MSB1-SUB3A - Phase 50/51-MSB1-SUB3A - DT 3000 52-SUB3A-MCC1A

SUB-3A

52-TIE-3A&3B

52-SUB3A-MCC1A

9.38 kA Arcing @ 0. 15 seconds

0.10

Fault
6.7 Cal/cm^2 @ 18 inches PPE Category 2

CBL-013 MCC#1A MCP BLWR#2 O/L BLWR#2 CBL-0075

0.01

BLWR#2
TCC: MCC#1A_bus Current Scale x 10 Reference Voltage: 480 October 13, 2011

Figure 4 Note that special care must be taken when changing the STPU or the instantaneous settings of protective devices to mitigate arc flash. One should not just haphazardly lower the settings to reduce the tripping time of devices. One must be careful that no overlapping of TCC or miscoordination is mistakenly achieved on other part of the system when the settings are lowered. Mis-coordination could cause nuisance tripping or even increase the incident energy on the other part of the system.

Technical Guide

Category: Arc Flash Subcategory: Mitigation

Maintenance Switch and Multiple Settings Group Another effective way of lowering the arc-flash incident energy is by temporarily over-riding the breakers or relays delay function to trip without intentional delay whenever a fault is detected. This can be achieved by applying maintenance switch or multiple settings group during maintenance mode of operation. An ARMS (Arc Resistance Maintenance Switch) is device that you can retrofit with certain existing trip unit, such that when the ARMS is switched on, the tripping time of the unit is very fast when a fault is detected. When a person wants to perform maintenance, the maintenance switch is turned on. The breakers delay functions are automatically over-ridden and the breaker then trips instantaneously if a fault is detected. When maintenance task is completed, the switch is turned off and all previous trip unit settings are reactivated. Multiple settings group works in a similar fashion as the ARMS. Here, you configure two relays in series, such that when you turn a switch on maintenance you have two curves on your TCC. One curve is for the normal operation and the other curve is instantaneous curve such that when theres a fault, the relay sends a signal to trip really fast. The next three figures illustrate how the ARMS device works and modeled in the SKM software. Figure 5 shows a partial single line modeled in SKM software along with its corresponding time current curve (TCC). From the figure, we can see that if the fault happens on the line side 52CRITICAL-MN, the arcing current of 16.02 kA going through, 52-SUB2A-UPS#1 will clear the fault at 0.216 seconds This will produce a total incident energy of 11.7 cal/cm2.

Technical Guide

Category: Arc Flash Subcategory: Mitigation

CURRENT IN AMPERES

100

0.5

10

10K

1K

MSB-1
1000

50/51-MSB1-SUB2A - Phase T2A

52-MSB1-SUB2A 50/51-MSB1-SUB2A CBL-006

100
P S

T2A

T2A

52-SUB2A-MN
52-SUB2A-MN - Phase
10 TIME IN SECONDS

SUB-2A 52-SUB2-TIE 52-SUB2A-UPS#1 CBL-0019

E N

52-SUB2A-UPS#1 - Phase

ATS-#1
16.020kA Arcing Current @ 0.216 seconds

Fault
TX Inrush
0.10

CBL-0058

50/51-MSB1-SUB2A - Phase

52-CRITICAL-MN 11.7 Cal/cm^2 PPE Category 3

0.01

CRITICAL-LD 52-DPNL-CRT1

TCC: CRIT LD (N)

Current Scale x 10

Reference Voltage: 600

October 13, 2011

Figure 5

Technical Guide

Category: Arc Flash Subcategory: Mitigation

To model the ARMS device for the 52-SUB2A-UPS#1 component, we can create another function named ARMS for this device. We then assign this function the ARMS device from the static trip category of the protective device library. To activate this function in arc flash, make sure that the Use in Arc Flash check box is checked. See Figure 6.

Figure 6 Once the ARMS device has been properly modeled and activated for arc flash study, the new result can be seen in Figure 7. From Figure 7, we can see that if the fault happens on the line side 52-CRITICAL-MN, the arcing current of 16.02 kA going through, 52-SUB2A-UPS#1-ARMS will now clear the fault at 0.05 seconds. This will produce a total incident energy of 2.8 cal/cm2.

Technical Guide

Category: Arc Flash Subcategory: Mitigation

CURRENT IN AMPERES

100

0.5

10

10K

MSB-1
1000

1K

50/51-MSB1-SUB2A - Phase T2A

52-MSB1-SUB2A 50/51-MSB1-SUB2A CBL-006

100

P S

T2A 52-SUB2A-MN - Phase

10 TIME IN SECONDS

T2A

52-SUB2A-MN SUB-2A 52-SUB2-TIE 52-SUB2A-UPS#1 CBL-0019

E N

52-SUB2A-UPS#1 - Phase

50/51-MSB1-SUB2A - Phase

ATS-#1 Fault
TX Inrush
0.10

CBL-0058

52-SUB2A-UPS#1 - ARMS

16.020kA Arcing Current @ 0.05 seconds

52-CRITICAL-MN 2.8 Cal/cm^2 PPE Category 1

0.01

CRITICAL-LD 52-DPNL-CRT1

TCC: CRIT LD (N)

Current Scale x 10

Reference Voltage: 600

October 13, 2011

Figure 7

Technical Guide

Category: Arc Flash Subcategory: Mitigation

The next two figures illustrate how the multiple settings group (using DT 3000) works and modeled in the SKM software. Figure 8 shows a partial single line modeled in SKM software along with its corresponding time current curve (TCC). From the figure, we can see that if the fault happens on the line side 52-SUB3A-MN, the arcing current of 1.048 kA going through, 50/51-MSB1-SUB3A will clear the fault at more than 2.0 seconds. This will produce a total incident energy of 49.7 cal/cm2.
CURRENT IN AMPERES

100

0.5

10

10K 1000

50/51-MSB1-SUB3A - Phase

1K

MSB-1 52-MSB1-SUB3A 50/51-MSB1-SUB3A

O/L BLWR#2
100

CBL-012 89-T3A-PRI B-T3A-PRI

P S

T3A

T3A

52-SUB3A-MN

10

Fault
TIME IN SECONDS

1.048 kA Arcing @ more than 2 seconds

1

49.7 Cal/cm^2 PPE Category Dangerous!

52-SUB3A-MN SUB-3A 52-TIE-3A&3B 52-SUB3A-MCC1A CBL-013

52-SUB3A-MCC1A

MCC#1A MCP BLWR#2

0.10

50/51-MSB1-SUB3A - Phase

O/L BLWR#2 CBL-0075

0.01

BLWR#2

TCC: MCC#1A

Current Scale x 10

Reference Voltage: 480

October 13, 2011

Figure 8 Multiple settings can be modeled in a similar fashion as the ARMS device mentioned above. This time we assign the new function the DT 3000 from the relay category of the library. We then modify the setting of this new function such that the curve is an L shape curve. Once the multiple settings group has been properly modeled and activated for arc flash study, the new result can be seen in Figure 9.

Technical Guide

Category: Arc Flash Subcategory: Mitigation

From the Figure 9, we can see that if the fault happens on the line side 52-SUB3A-MN, the arcing current of 1.048 kA going through, 50/51-MSB1-SUB3A-DT 3000 will clear the fault at more than 0.2 seconds. This will produce a total incident energy of 7.4 cal/cm2.

CURRENT IN AMPERES

MSB-1
100 10K 1K 0.5 1 10

50/51-MSB1-SUB3A - Phase 50/51-MSB1-SUB3A - DT 3000

1000

52-MSB1-SUB3A 50/51-MSB1-SUB3A CBL-012

O/L BLWR#2
100

89-T3A-PRI B-T3A-PRI
P S

T3A 52-SUB3A-MN

T3A

10 TIME IN SECONDS

Fault
52-SUB3A-MN 7.4 Cal/cm^2 PPE Category 2 SUB-3A

52-SUB3A-MCC1A

50/51-MSB1-SUB3A - Phase
1

52-TIE-3A&3B

50/51-MSB1-SUB3A - DT 3000

52-SUB3A-MCC1A CBL-013 MCC#1A

0.10

1.048 kA Arcing @ 0. 2 seconds

MCP BLWR#2 O/L BLWR#2 CBL-0075

0.01

BLWR#2
TCC: MCC#1A Current Scale x 10 Reference Voltage: 480 October 13, 2011

Figure 9 Other Arc Flash Instantaneous and Protection Schemes Optical relay and Arc Vault are recent new technologies that had been developed to help with mitigating arc-flash incident energy. In a nutshell, these two devices clear or extinguish the arc flash in a matter of milliseconds when it is detected. Optical relays works with light sensors that detect the sudden increase in light intensity. It also works with fault detector to prevent false tripping. When the optical sensor detects a sudden increase in light and the fault detector detects a fault, the optical relay sends a trip signal to the circuit breaker to trip in as fast as 2 milliseconds.

Technical Guide

Category: Arc Flash Subcategory: Mitigation

Arc Vault is a protection system that can be retrofitted with most low voltage switchgear, motor control centers, switchboard, etc. When this system detects an arc flash or spike in current, the containment dome is initiated to create a secondary arc to transfer and extinguish the original arc in the dome. The main breaker is also called upon trip to de-energize the system. All this happens is less than 8 milliseconds. Also, alternative protection schemes (bus differential protection, zone interlocking, etc.) are gaining popularity, since these types of schemes clear the fault instantaneously. For bus differential protection, the current going in and out of the bus are measured. If they are equal no action is taken. However, if the current are not equal, then the bus breakers are called upon to trip instantaneously. Zone selective interlock (ZSI) is composed of a main breaker communicating with downstream breakers. In the event of a downstream fault, a signal is sent to the main breaker to hold, and the feeder breaker nearest the fault would trip. However, if a fault happens on the bus directly below the main breaker, the main breaker would be called upon to clear the fault instantaneously. The protection schemes mentioned above do not really rely on a time over current device to clear an arc fault. The arc fault is cleared or extinguished instantaneously when certain criteria are met. To model this in SKM, the user could check the Available checkbox in the Arc Flash Instantaneous Protection in the Equipment & Arc Flash sub view of the said bus. See Figure 10. Once this is done, and the arc study has been re-run, the user can then enter his own trip delay time and breaker opening time. The incident energy is then recalculated based on the time that the user specified. See Figure 11.

Figure 10

Figure 11 The next two figures show how using the arc flash Instantaneous works and modeled in the SKM software. Figure 12 shows a partial single line modeled in SKM software along with its corresponding time current curve (TCC). From this figure, we can see that if the fault happens on

Technical Guide

Category: Arc Flash Subcategory: Mitigation

the SWBD bus, the arcing current of 17.11 kA going through, SWDB MCB will clear the fault at around 0.36 seconds. This will produce a total incident energy of 22.5 cal/cm2.

CURRENT IN AMPERES

100

0.5

10

10K 1000

1K

MCC MCP-1

SWBD ATS CB
100

MCC MCP-2

SWBD FCB-5

MCC MCP-3

SWBD FCB-4
10

SWBD FCB-1 - Phase

SWBD FCB-3 SWBD

TIME IN SECONDS

SWDB MCB - Phase

SWBD FCB-1

SWDB MCB

SWBD FCB-2

SWBD ATS CB - Phase

0.10

0.01

TCC: AF_SWBD

Current Scale x 10

Reference Voltage: 480

October 5, 2011

Figure 12 From the TCC, we can see that coordination is quite tight. To reduce the incident energy, changing the protective device settings may not be a feasible solution, since it may require redoing the coordination of the system. Lets assume that retrofitting the switchboard with an Arc Vault was selected to mitigate arc flash for this system. Once the Arc Flash Instantaneous Protection has been properly modeled by following the steps above and setting the trip delay time to be 8 milliseconds, the new result can be seen in Figure 11 and 13. From the Figure 11, we can see that if the arc flash happens on the SWDB, the Arc Vault will extinguish it in 8 milliseconds (specified by the user). Based on this time, new total incident is now 0.55 cal/cm2.

22.5 Cal/cm^2 @ 18 inches PPE Category 3

17.11 kA Arcing Current @ 0.36 seconds

Technical Guide

Category: Arc Flash Subcategory: Mitigation

CURRENT IN AMPERES

100

0.5

10

10K 1000

1K

MCC MCP-1

SWBD ATS CB
100

MCC MCP-2

SWBD FCB-5

MCC MCP-3

SWBD FCB-4
10

SWBD FCB-1 - Phase SWDB MCB - Phase

SWBD FCB-3 SWBD

TIME IN SECONDS

SWBD FCB-1

SWDB MCB

SWBD FCB-2

SWBD ATS CB - Phase

0.10

0.01

TCC: AF_SWBD_4

Current Scale x 10

Reference Voltage: 480

October 5, 2011

Figure 13 Conclusion Arc flash is one of the most dangerous workplace hazards. Serious injuries and death could be cause by this hazard. One of the best and efficient ways to mitigate arc flash is to clear the arcing fault as fast as possible. There are various ways to achieve this. Modifying the existing settings of protective devices, applying new technologies such as ARMS and ARC Vault, and taking advantage of alternative protection schemes such as differential protection and zone interlocking, since these types of schemes clear the fault instantaneously, are some of the options available. No one method works all the time. What works in one location may not work effectively in another location. The various arc flash mitigation techniques mentioned above was illustrated and modeled using the SKM Power*Tools for Windows software.

0.6 Cal/cm^2 @ 18 inches PPE Category 0