Arc Flash Calculation Software and Short Circuit Analysis

ARCAD Newsletter Issue 3 - Arc Flash Label Printing Services

2012-01-22T18:33:00.000-08:00

ARCAD, INC.

In This Issue

Arc Flash Labels

Arc Flash Software

Label Printing Services

Quick Links

Testimonials

Software Review

CHECK IT OUT !

Creative Safety Supply LABELTAC 4 Industrial Label and Sign Printer

Issue #3 - Arc Flash Labels

Dear Lady or Gentelman,

Happy New Year 2012! We're sending you this emailer to inform you of the ARCAD arc flash label printing services. If you lack the time or expensive equipment to print the required labels internally, let us do it for you. ARCAD's arc flash label printing services make NFPA 70, OSHA and CSA Z462 compliance simpler.

What is an Arc Flash Warning Label ?

Determining flash protection boundary and the appropriate PPE would be useless without the information being communicated to the personnel working on or in near the potentialy hazardous equipment. Section 110.16 of the NEC 2011 code requires switchboards, panelboards, industrial control panels, and motor control centers to be field marked to warn personnel of the potential electric arc flash hazards.

[ Read More ]

ARCAD Tools for Arc Flash Hazard Analysis and Labeling

ARCAD develops and sells arc flash analysis and label making software to help you meet OSHA, NFPA 70E, CSA Z462 regulations and Code requirements. Below is a condensed list of main program features and capabilities. Follow the links to access detailed product pages.

[ Read More ]

ARCAD's Label Printing Services

It's simple; just send us JPG, PDF, GIF or BMP files of your arc flash and shock hazard warning labels created using one of our or competitor online or stand-alone software tools for arc flash hazard analysis and we'll take care of the rest. Following the receipt of your order and graphic files in email attachment form or mailed on a CD carrier, we will process the order and ship the labels as soon as possible.

[ Read More ]

For more information call ARCAD, INC. at 416-551-3457
email to sales@arcadvisor.com

or visit us at www.arcadvisor.com

Sincerely,

- Michael Furtak, C.E.T.

President & Founder
ARCAD, INC.

Purchase any of the ARCAD Arc Flash Analytic software packages and get one month access to ARCAD Online Short Circuit Calculator for FREE!

Offer Expires: February 10 2012

ARCAD Newsletter Issue 2 - Short Circuit Analysis

2011-12-07T13:33:00.000-08:00

ARCAD, INC.

In This Issue

Short Circuit Analysis

Accuracy vs Precision

About MVA Method

Quick Links

Testimonials

Software Review

Arc Flash Software

Download, install and try out ARCAD software FREE before purchasing the program registration key.

Issue #2 - Short Circuit Analysis

Dear Lady or Gentleman,

We're sending you this emailer to remind you of the ARCAD online solution for short circuit analysis. Typical PC-based commercial software has more interfaces and graphic content, which make them more appealing and expensive. ArcAd's on-line tool is user friendly and performs error propagation analysis - very important but widely ignored issue. For a nominal investment, its worth considering.

About ARCAD Online Short Circuit Calculator

We offer online tool for short circuit analysis. As we are aware, none of the competition offers similar services online. Advantages:

no need for software installation, no risk associated with virus threat
system can be accessed, operated, shared from anywhere, anytime, any platform connected to Internet and anybody with granted access
access to most recent services and updates
routine data backup

[ Read More ]

Error Propagation Analysis and Why is it Important ?

"If it can't be quantified, then it's not engineering, but only a guess"

Vern Lindberg

Error in science and engineering does not mean a mistake. It rather means inevitable uncertainty that happens because of empirical measurements and cannot be perfectly corrected. All measurements in practice and even in principle have some error associated with them; no measured quantity can be determined with infinite precision and zero deviation. Without proper error analysis, no valid scientific conclusions can be drawn. In fact, wrong results can happen if error analysis is ignored.

[ Read More ]

About MVA Method for Short Circuit Analysis

The MVA method is a modification of the Ohmic method where the impedance of a circuit equals the sum of the impedances of components constituting the circuit. Using the admittances, it follows that the reciprocal of the system impedance is the sum of the reciprocals of the admittances of the components. By very definition, the circuit component admittance is the maximum current or KVA at unit voltage which would flow through the circuit or component to a short circuit or fault when supplied from a source of infinite capacity. In practice, the MVA method is used by separating the circuit into components and calculating each component with its own infinite bus.

[ Read More ]

For more information call ARCAD, INC. at 416-551-3457
email to sales@arcadvisor.com

or visit us at www.arcadvisor.com

Sincerely,

- Michael Furtak, C.E.T.

President & Founder
ARCAD, INC.

Purchase any of the ARCAD Arc Flash Analytic software packages and get one month access to ARCAD Online Short Circuit Calculator for FREE!

Offer Expires: February 10 2012

Newsletter Issue #1 - Arc Flash Awareness

2011-11-25T13:24:00.000-08:00

ARCAD, INC.

In This Issue

Our Products & Offerings

Quick Links

Arc Flash Software

Download, install and try out ARCAD software FREE before purchasing the program registration key.

Issue #1 - Arc Flash Awareness

Dear Lady or Gentleman,

The ARCAD, INC. Arc Flash Newsletter is a quick update on arc flash issues and the company solutions addressing these issues. This newsletter is free and will bring you up to date on the issues that surround arc flash. Visit us at www.arcadvisor.com for complete product offerings including free online arc flash, short circuit calculators, and PC-based software for arc flash hazard analysis and labelling.

About ARCAD, INC. products and services

ARCAD, INC. helps maintenance workers, business owners and employers to create safer working environments for individuals who service electrical systems by providing information about the importance of electrical and industrial safety, the dangers associated with an electrical arc flash, and On-Line and PC based software tools for Short Circuit and Arc Flash Hazard Analysis.

[ Read More ]

What causes an arc flash ?

An arc flash happens when electric current flows through air gaps between conductors. Insulation failure and accidents caused by touching a test probe to the wrong surface or slipped tool are the most common causes of an arcing fault. The fault current magnetic fields make conductors to separate producing an arc. In other words, arc flash is caused by uncontrolled conduction of electrical current from phase to ground, phase to neutral, and/or phase to phase accompanied by ionization of the surrounding air. The heat energy and intense light at the point of the arc is called arc flash.

[ Read More ]

Why should you be concerned about arc flash?

The primary reason to be concerned about arc flash is for the safety of the personnel. Short circuits and arc faults are very dangerous and potentially fatal to personnel. Exposure to an arc flash frequently results in a variety of serious injuries such as severe burns, damaged eyesight, ruptured eardrums, collapsed lungs and in some cases - death.

The number two reason to be concerned about arc flash hazards is liability and government regulations. OSHA regulations apply to every worker that may approach or be exposed to energized electrical equipment. Failure for an employer to conform and follow OSHA requirements can lead to employee injuries, fines, penalties, and expensive law suits.

[ Read More ]

For more information call ARCAD, INC. at 416-551-3457
email to sales@arcadvisor.com

or visit us at www.arcadvisor.com

Sincerely,

Michael Furtak, C.E.T.
ARCAD, INC.

Spend $400 or more on ARCAD stocked products and get Arc Flash Analytic 4.1 software FREE

Must mention ESAVINGS promotional code in comments field upon checkout or by email to sales@arcadvisor.com

Offer Expires: January 10 2012

the new DC Arc Flash Analytic software program.

2011-06-28T19:26:00.000-07:00

ARCAD, INC. has introduced the new DC Arc Flash Analytic (DCAFA V1.0) software program for arc flash and shock hazard analysis in DC power systems including but not limited to photovoltaics, battery banks, rectifiers and telecommunications equipment.

The program takes system voltage, available short circuit current, gap between electrodes, circuit time constant, electrode material, protective device type and rating or a preset arc duration value, and determines incident energy released by arc flash, hazard risk category at working distance and flash protection boundary.

For systems with variable gap between electrodes, for example when gap is not fixed and distance between electrodes is anticipated to increase by separation of contacts, the program will examine power and energy released by an arc as a function of arcing voltage and current, arc duration, electrode materials and calculate maximum incident energy that could be released by the arc within two (2) seconds time interval. A person exposed to an arc flash will move away quickly if it is physically possible and two seconds is generally accepted as a reasonable maximum time for arc flash calculations.

Among various key capabilities, the DCAFA V1.0 performs analysis using metric or imperial units, saves input configurations and calculation results for future reference or printing, and generates customized arc flash warning labels in electronic formats.

More information about the product is available on this page: http://www.arcadvisor.com/arcflash/dc-arc-flash-calculator.html.

CSA Z462 IEEE 1584 NFPA 70E Arc Flash Analysis Video

2010-12-20T06:26:00.000-08:00

Step by step tutorial demonstrating arc flash analysis using Arc Flash Analytic 4.1 Low Voltage Circuit Breaker Equations Mode.

Arc Flash Analysis Label Making Software Features

2010-11-23T12:12:00.000-08:00

Video tutorial demonstrating various Arc Flash Analytic 4.1 program features and settings including units of measurement, label layout and customization, printing labels, saving equipment configuration and calculation results.

Electric Arc Flash Analysis Software Installation

2010-11-21T21:41:00.000-08:00

Step by step video tutorial explaining how to install Arc Flash Analytic 4.1 software for performing arc flash hazard analysis and creating arc flash warning labels based on IEEE 1584 Guide for performing arc flash hazard analysis.

Arc Flash Hazard Software Registration

2010-11-15T06:16:00.000-08:00

Video tutorial demonstrating how to register Arc Flash Analytic 4.1 software and unlock program features inactivated in a free demo version.

How to order Arc Flash Hazard Analysis & Label Making Software

2010-11-09T13:23:00.000-08:00

Click the image below to launch video tutorial

Tutorial explaining how to place an order for Arc Flash Analytic software meetings all your arc flash hazard analysis and label making needs.

Arc Flash Analysis Label Maker Software AFA version 4.1

2010-09-10T09:19:00.000-07:00

ARCAD INC announces the release of ARC FLASH ANALYTIC ( AFA V4.1 ) software program for arc flash and shock hazard analysis. AFA V4.1 has been developed based on NFPA 70E and IEEE 1584 as an easy to use and comprehensive tool for calculating arc incident energy, flash protection boundary, determining limited, restricted, prohibited shock approach boundaries and risk category required by NEC, CEC and new Canadian Z462 standard when work is to be performed on or near the energized equipment.

AFA V4.1 Key Features

1) IEEE 1584 EMPIRICALLY DERIVED MODEL AND LEE METHOD. Applicable for systems with:

Voltages in the range of 208V to 46kV
Bolted fault currents in the range of 700A to 106kA
Switchgears, MCC, panels, cables and arc in open air

2) IEEE 1584 FUSE EQUATIONS. Applicable for systems protected by current limiting Class RK1 and Class L fuses.

3) IEEE 1584 LOW VOLTAGE CIRCUIT BREAKER EQUATIONS. Applicable for systems protected by:

Molded case, insulated case (MCCB & ICCB) circuit breakers,
LVPCB low voltage power circuit breakers

4) NFPA 70E PHASE TO GROUND ARCING FAULTS ON OVERHEAD LINES (UP TO 242KV)

AFA V4.1 Key Capabilities

1) Determine

arcing current
incident energy
flash protection boundary
limited, restricted and prohibited shock approach boundaries
initial arc pressure
arc TNT equivalent
risk category
typical clothing system

2) Save input configurations, calculation results for future reference or printing.

3) Perform analysis using metric (mm, Joules, kg ) or imperial units.

4) Generate arc flash warning labels in electronic JPG, BMP and PDF formats.

5) Customize labels by selecting and adding information displayed on them.

6) Create customized color or black-and-white warning labels in English, French and Spanish.

Calculator-style interface makes complex calculations easy to understand. Detailed procedure for IEEE 1584 based arc flash calculations has been included in the calculator. An effective arc flash safety program must be designed on a reliable foundation. Arc flash studies must be performed by qualified persons using a quality analysis tool which provide accurate results that you can trust and rely on.

More information about the product is available on this page: http://www.arcadvisor.com/arcflash/arc-flash-software.html

Direct Current DC Arc Flash Calculator

2010-09-10T09:12:00.000-07:00

Online DC Arc Flash Calculator has been developed to assist you in determining maximum incident energy that could be released during arcing fault with fixed or varying gap, different time constant values, short circuit current up to 50kA and system voltages up to 500VDC cleared by Class J and Class L one's manufacturer fuses. The calculator will also determine flash protection boundary, hazard risk category and recommended personal protective equipment ( PPE )

New fuses in stock

2010-04-16T12:47:00.001-07:00

Electrical fuses and industrial enclosures

2010-03-30T12:59:00.000-07:00

We stock new electrical fuses, metalic, non-metalic enclosures for immediate delivery. Please click on links below for detailed product information and contact us with any questions or concerns.

Arc Flash Calculation Software PGAC v1.0 Beta release - Testers wanted

2009-12-15T11:40:00.000-08:00

Features:

Estimate Incident Energy Exposures for Live Line Work on Overhead Open Air Systems 1kV to 800kV
Determine Limited, Restricted, Prohibited Shock Protection Boundaries and Risk Category
Calculator-style interface makes complex calculations easy to understand
Perform analysis using metric (mm, Joules ) or imperial units (inches, calories )
Save results in generic text format for future reference or printing

Screen View of P.G.A.C. V1.0 Beta

Feel free to download the PGAC v1.0 program ( beta ) from the link below:

http://www.arcadvisor.com/arcflash/PGAC-V1_0-Beta-Install-Wizard.exe

Your feedback is greatly appreciated.

Arc Flash Software Video

2009-05-27T08:15:00.000-07:00

This video is available in 2 versions (Downloadable and Streaming).
Download Medium WMV 6 MB
Streaming Medium

Arc-Flash-Analytic v3.0 has been granted "100% CLEAN" Softpedia award

2008-11-24T11:50:00.000-08:00

Arc-Flash-Analytic v3.0 software for arc flash hazard analysis has been tested in the Softpedia labs using several industry-leading security solutions and found to be completely clean of adware/spyware components.

In its letter of acceptance, Softpedia Editorial Team said "We are impressed with the quality of your product and encourage you to keep these high standards in the future. To assure our visitors that Arc-Flash-Analytic is clean, we have granted it with the "100% CLEAN" Softpedia award."

The program has also been added to Softpedia's database of software programs for the Windows operating system.

More information about the product is available on this page:
http://www.arcadvisor.com/arcflash/arc_flash_analytic.html

2008-11-04T18:40:00.000-08:00

ARCAD Arc Flash Analysis

ARCAD is pleased to introduce the new ARC FLASH ANALYTIC ( AFA V3.0 ) software program for arc flash and shock hazard analysis. AFA V3.0 has been developed based on NFPA 70E and IEEE 1584 as an easy to use and comprehensive tool for calculating arc incident energy, flash protection boundary, determining limited, restricted, prohibited shock approach boundaries and risk category required by N.E.C and OSHA when work is to be performed on or near the energized equipment.

Results You Can Trust

Every release of AFA is verified and validated against established programs and hand calculations in order to ensure its technical accuracy. Each release of AFA undergoes a complete verification process using hundreds of test cases.

AFA V3.0 Key Features

1) IEEE 1584 EMPIRICALLY DERIVED MODEL AND LEE METHOD. Applicable for systems with:

Voltages in the range of 208V to 46kV
Bolted fault currents in the range of 700A to 106kA
Switchgears, MCC, panels, cables and arc in open air

2) IEEE 1584 FUSE EQUATIONS. Applicable for systems protected by current limiting Class RK1 and Class L fuses.

3) IEEE 1584 LOW VOLTAGE CIRCUIT BREAKER EQUATIONS. Applicable for systems protected by:

Molded case, insulated case (MCCB & ICCB) circuit breakers,
LVPCB low voltage power circuit breakers

AFA V3.0 Key Capabilities

1) Determine

arcing current
incident energy
flash protection boundary
limited, restricted and prohibited shock approach boundaries
initial arc pressure
arc TNT equivalent
risk category
typical clothing system

2) Save results for future reference or printing.

3) Perform analysis using metric (mm, Joules, kg ) or imperial units (inches, calories, lb ).

4) Create customized color or black-and-white warning labels in English, French and Spanish.

Calculator-style interface makes complex calculations easy to understand. Detailed procedure for IEEE 1584 based arc flash calculations has been included in the calculator. An effective arc flash safety program must be designed on a reliable foundation. Arc flash studies must be performed by qualified persons using a quality analysis tool which provide accurate results that you can trust and rely on.

Don't spend a fortune on expensive software for arc flash analysis. Save your money, purchase Arc Flash Analytic and generate arc flash warning labels to meet OSHA and NFPA 70E requirements.

Company website: www.arcadvisor.com | Email: arcadvisor@ieee.org

2008-05-08T10:20:00.000-07:00

Arc Flash Hazard Calculator

Arc-Flash-Analytic v 2.0 calculates the incident energy and arc flash boundary for any point in a power system.

Related Information:

Calculation Example with Arc-Flash-Analytic v 2.0 Screen Views

Arc-Flash-Analytic v 2.0 software tool has been developed based on IEEE 1584 Guide for Performing Arc-Flash Hazard Calculations as an easy to use and comprehensive instrument for calculating arc incident energy, flash protection boundary and risk category required by N.E.C and OSHA when work is to be performed on or near the energized equipment.

The IEEE 1584 empirically derived model was chosen for the analyzing arc flash faults since the model is capable to accurately account for variety of setup parameters: open and box equipment configurations, grounding of all types and ungrounded, gap between conductors of 3 to 152 mm, bolted fault currents in the range of 700A to 106kA, system voltages in the range of 208V to 15kV, and working distances. Reference data listing most typical configurations and detailed procedure for IEEE 1584 based arc flash calculations has been included in the calculator.

The calculator takes equipment configuration, gap between electrodes, grounding type, short circuit fault current value and system voltage on input, and determines arcing fault current at potential point of fault. Next, the incident energy, flash protection boundary and level of personnel protective equipment are determined based on equipment configuration, arc duration and working distance.

For protective devices operating in the steep portion of their time-current curves, a small change in current causes a big change in operating time. Incident energy is linear with time, so arc current variation may have a big effect on incident energy. The IEEE 1584 solution is to make two arc current and energy calculations: one using the calculated expected arc current and one using a reduced arc current that is 15% lower.

The calculator makes possible both calculations for each case considered. The IEEE 1584 procedure requires that an operating time be determined for both the expected arc current and the reduced arc current. Incident energy is calculated for both sets of arc currents and operating times and the larger incident energy is taken as the model result. This solution was developed by comparing the results of arc current calculations using the best available arc current equation with actual measured arc current in the test database. The calculator predicts arcing fault current for a given configuration and bolted fault short circuit current. It also predicts bolted fault current required to cause 15% reduction of the predicted arcing current for the given configuration.

Benefits:

Calculator-style interface makes complex calculations easy to understand.
Provide a safer working environment by specifying the proper level of PPE. Wearing inadequate clothing is dangerous for obvious reasons, but wearing too much clothing is dangerous due to limited mobility and visibility.
Design safer power systems while insuring compliance with NEC 110.16, OSHA, NFPA 70E and IEEE 1584 standards.
Avoid potential fines, lost productivity, and increased insurance and litigation costs.
Save time by generating arc flash warning labels in electronic .JPG and .BMP formats
Customize labels by selecting and adding information displayed on them.
Save results in generic text format for future reference or printing with one button click.
Perform analysis using metric (mm, Joules ), imperial units (inches, calories ), or even a mix of both

Related Information:

Calculation Example with Arc-Flash-Analytic v 2.0 Screen Views

Arc Flash Calculator now available online

2008-04-07T09:13:00.000-07:00

We have developed an easy-to-use and comprehensive free online tool for calculating arc incident energy, flash protection boundary and risk category required by NEC and CEC when work is to be performed on or near the energized equipment. The calculator takes equipment configuration, gap between electrodes, grounding type, short circuit fault current value and system voltage on input, determines arcing fault current, calculates incident energy, flash protection boundary, hazard / risk level at the potential point of fault and creates detailed warning label.

Error propagation analysis - very important but widely ignored issue,

2008-04-07T09:01:00.000-07:00

The ArcAd tool performs more than just tedious calculations. We have implemented a parameter of tolerances to our service, which has an effect on final results within the analysis. Many other procedures do not take into account room for error, which can distort final values. A lack of understanding of basic error analysis has led some very bright scientists and engineers to make some incredible blunders. ArcAd's short circuit online calculator features input data analysis and hard coded error propagation rules ensuring that the results are not more precise than justified by the accuracy of input data.

Typical commercial software has more interfaces and graphic content, which make them more appealing and expensive. ArcAd's on-line tool is user friendly, performs error propagation analysis - very important but widely ignored issue, and is offered at a reasonable price. We strongly believe that if a resulting margin of error can't be quantified, then it's not engineering, but only a guess. As far as we are aware, none of the available competing products performs proper error analysis. It wouldn't be a problem if most accurate system equipment data were available. Experience shows that by far most real world studies are built upon approximate and therefore more or less accurate input data. The concept of precision is very important indeed and can impact results in surprising ways.

What are the major service benefits for the consumer offered by ArcAd ?

2008-04-07T08:46:00.000-07:00

We offer online tool for fault current analysis. As far as we are aware, none of the competition offers similar service online. Advantages include:

* Input data error propagation analysis
* No need for software installation
* No risk associated with virus threat
* System can be accessed, operated and shared from anywhere, anytime, on any platform connected to the Internet
* Access to most recent services and updates
* Most competitive price in the industry
* Routine data backup

What services do you offer?

2008-04-07T08:34:00.000-07:00

We help facilities create safer working environments for individuals who service electrical systems by providing novel on-line and PC based tools for short circuit and arc flash hazard analysis. Our service includes resources and tools allowing you to perform the analysis yourself. In addition, we are committed to 24 hour technical support and immediate project assistance.

What is this blog?

2007-02-27T11:39:00.000-08:00

This blog has been setup to discuss arc flash and short circuit analysis topics. The discussion will be focused but not limited to online tools for arc flash hazard and short circuit analysis offered on www.arcadvisor.com website. Feel free to post your questions and leave your comments!