Arc Flash Circuit Breaker Definition

Once an arc flash begins in a breaker it can quickly migrate from a single circuit to the busbars of the panel itself allowing very high energies to flow.

Arc flash circuit breaker definition.

An arc flash hazard may exist when energized electrical conductors or circuit parts are exposed or when they are within equipment in a guarded or enclosed condition provided a person is interacting with the equipment in such a manner that could cause an electric arc. Avoid working on energized electrical equipment and take extra care while testing to ensure it has been de energized or while re energizing it use remote racking technology to operate circuit breakers from outside the arc flash boundary instead of allowing personnel to be put at risk of injury or death. When a severe enough arc flash occurs the overcurrent protective device fuse or circuit breaker upstream of the fault interrupts the current. A combination arc fault circuit breaker is not equivalent to a dual function circuit breaker.

Precautions must usually be used when switching circuit breakers such as standing off to the side while switching to keep the body out of the way wearing protective clothing or turning off equipment circuits and panels downline prior. With ever changing electrical code requirements a circuit breaker with the ability to provide both arc fault protection as well as ground fault gfci protection was long overdue. The amount of incident energy a worker may be exposed to during an arc flash is directly proportional to the total clearing ampere squared seconds i 2 t of the overcurrent protective device during the fault.