Improved method for arc flash hazard analysis

Conventional arc flash hazard calculators use simple formulae to calculate the flash protection boundary and the incident energy density, but these methods do not represent the effects of the power supply system correctly. A new method is described which models the transient response of a 3-phase power system and its interaction with an arcing fault. The operation of current-limiting fuses in the time domain, and the focusing effect of the equipment enclosure are also considered.