In This Issue: Arc Flash Basics | Conference Exhibit Schedule

Throughout our industry, both in manufacturing, installation and operation, safety is a major concern. One of the greatest hazards facing those in the field today is Arc Flash. Arc Flash is basically an explosion of energy often times resulting in severe injury and damage to equipment. The costs of medical treatment and equipment repair or replacement due to these incidents can be great. It is more important than ever that employers be diligent in their effort to provide a safe working environment.

The NFPA requirements identify actions that employers must engage in to reach compliance. These actions include safety programs, providing personal protective equipment (PPE), employee training, proper tools for working safely, warning labels and Arc Flash Hazard Analysis.

For more information regarding the dangers of Arc Flash, prevention of incidents and compliance visit the following websites:

Arc Flash can be described as an immediate release of energy or more simply a “ball of fire”. The amount of energy released during a flash can vary but, in most cases, will be extremely destructive to the equipment and physically harmful to those personnel nearby. The resulting injuries from such extremes can be quite serious and possibly life threatening.

When the 2005 Edition of the National Electrical Code© (NEC®) was released in January of 2005, an addition to the code known as Article 409 went into effect. This article provided new minimum requirements for the design, installation and inspection of Industrial Control Panels (ICPs). It was no surprise that we at EPG took notice and immediately began to identify how this would impact our design and manufacturing process and what affects these new requirements would have on our current and future customers. We wanted to be certain we were providing reliable, high quality and most importantly, safe equipment. We will try to provide you with a basic understanding of this new article and encourage you to educate yourselves to insure that your facility is in compliance and operating under the safest conditions possible.

Article 409 states “This article covers industrial control panels intended for general use and operating at 600V or less.” One significant item to note is how the control panel is to be marked for its short circuit current rating (SCCR). In the past, control panels were rated based on their individual withstand potential. Now, the SCCR must be based on the highest withstand potential, taking into account the potential load of the entire circuit ahead of the panel itself.

All of EPGs UL 508A control panels will be marked with the Short Circuit Current Rating (SCCR). This information will be found on the control panel’s serial number label. This will indicate to the owner and/or installer how much short circuit current the panel power components can withstand.

It is the responsibility of the owner and/or installer to understand the proper level of Personal Protective Equipment(PPE) required to work with or service control panels under powered conditions. It is also the responsibility of the owner and/or installer to label all equipment with these requirements.

What solutions can EPG provide? EPG can evaluate each installation individually and recommend solutions to improve safety at your site.

If you have any questions about the information above, please call EPG at 1-800-443-7426.