Systems and methods for arc flash hazard assessment

US9146267B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Incorporated · US

Inventors

• Wei-Jen Lee · Hengshan, TW
• Tammy L. Gammon · Covington, US
• Zhenyuan Zhang · Suzhou, CN

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 11, 2013
• Grant date: Sep 29, 2015
• Expiry date: Dec 25, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01R31/001
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An arc flash hazard assessment method includes storing electrical equipment data in memory, defining an arc flash model function based on the data, and estimating the model function based on a weighted average of interpolated and extrapolated values. The electrical equipment data may include an operating voltage, a fault current, and a clearing time. The model function is defined for at least three reference voltages V1, V2 and V3, with the interpolated value at operating voltage V, between voltages V1 and V2, and the extrapolated value from reference voltages V2 and V3. At the arc flash protection boundary, the estimated model function has a predefined incident energy value of 1.2 cal/cm2 (or about 5.02 J/cm2), or less.