IEEE 1584

IEEE Std 1584-2002 (Guide for Performing Arc-Flash Hazard Calculations) is a standard of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers that provides a method of calculating the incident energy of arc flash event.

Purpose

IEEE 1584-2002 was developed to help protect people from arc-flash hazard dangers. The predicted arc current and incident energy are used in selecting appropriate overcurrent protective devices and personal protective equipment (generally abbreviated as PPE), as well as defining safe working distance. Since the magnitude of the arc current is inherently linked with the degree of arc hazard, the arc is examined as a circuit parameter. Furthermore, since estimations are often useful, simple equations for predicting ballpark arc current, arc power, and incident energy values and probable ranges are presented in this work.

Procedure

Arc Flash Hazard calculations are currently implemented in most of the industry plants due to OSHA regulations. The IEEE 1584 empirically derived model accurately accounts for a wide variety of setup parameters including:

• Voltages in the range of 208 V–15 000 V, three-phase.
• Frequencies of 50 Hz or 60 Hz.
• Bolted fault current in the range of 700 A – 106,000 A.
• Grounding of all types and ungrounded.
• Equipment enclosures of commonly available sizes.
• Gaps between conductors of 13 mm – 152 mm.
• Faults involving three phases.

For cases where voltage is over 15kV or gap is outside the range of the model, the theoretically derived Lee method can be applied.

External links

Software

There are several software companies which provide options for performing Arc Flash Hazard Calculations as per IEEE 1584 or NFPA70E. They include:

• EasyPower LLC.
• Operation Technology Inc.
• IEEE 1584 Based Arc Flash Calculator and Label Maker
• ArcCalc and PTW Arc Flash