An arc flash can occur when there is a rapid release of energy due to a ground fault, or phase to phase fault. This is not merely a short circuit event. This is a short circuit that results in so much energy release that the equipment is vaporized. Even the air around the equipment becomes a conductor when the vaporized metal of the equipment forms a plasma in the blast itself. Temperatures in the center of an arc flash can reach 35,000 degrees Fahrenheit. This sudden and violent release of energy destroys anything and everything in its vicinity and can, and often does, result in injury and or death.

What can be done to eliminate or reduce injury from the risk of Arc Flash?  The only way to eliminate the risk of Arc Flash is to turn off power to equipment before any work is done on electrical equipment. Proper procedures for Lock out Tag out (LOTO) should be performed. But performing proper LOTO places the electrician at risk because equipment must be tested to verify that power has actually been turned off. This testing places the electrician in harms way. To mitigate this exposure an Energized Electrical work permit must be completed detailing the risks and the procedures that will be used to mitigate that risk. Proper PPE must be evaluated and used to protect the worker from arc flash exposure. The problem with selecting the proper PPE before an arc flash study has been performed is that the energy level present at the equipment is unknown. In cases like this the safest course of action would be to turn off all sources of electrical energy. If that is not an option than the highest level of PPE must be worn when performing any testing or work.