An improved arc flash energy calculation method, and application

In this paper, we describe an improved algorithm for arc flash calculations. This method can be used in any software that performs arc flash calculations to determine the incident energy, arc flash boundaries, and other related parameters for arc flash risk assessment purposes. The method provides a more sophisticated and precise way of calculating short circuit contributions to the fault location. To illustrate the effectiveness of the method, a typical renewable power plant (wind energy) with common types of protection is analyzed. The arc flash risk assessment results are compared in both the conventional way and the presented method. The new approach is called the “Integrated Method.” This method is an accurate way of modelling the short circuit contribution of the devices, which can potentially change the total short circuit current at the fault location. This Integrated Method considers the decay of the contributing machines and also the devices where currents are interrupted due to a protection device. It also accounts for the current decays over time.