FEATURE ARC FLASH
WHITE PAPER: MITIGATION SOLUTION FOR ARC FLASH
A white paper titled ‘Are You Prepared? How Current Limiting Devices for Low Voltage Applications Can Help Save Lives for your Organisation’ was published earlier this year by G&W Electric
The white paper provides key
considerations that operators and safety personnel should consider when specifying a current limiting device for their facility. It also details the well-documented dangers and unfortunate outcomes associated with arc flash events. “When it comes to electrical
T
he white paper specifically focuses on the benefits of using current
limiting devices in low-voltage settings as compared to conventional devices, such as circuit breakers, current- limiting fuses or expulsion fuses “Current limiting devices are typically
used in various medium and low voltage applications, but arc flash events,
particularly in low voltage applications can be catastrophic,” says Manoj Bundhoo, product manager – specialty products, G&W Electric. “Utilising a current-limiting device, like
our CLiP-LV product, provides operators a cost-effective and UL certified solution that will serve as another key element in their arc flash mitigation strategy.”
workplace safety, current limitation protection is the last line of defence in protecting workers from life-changing and sometimes fatal injuries,” added Bundhoo. “G&W’s CLiP-LV dramatically reduces
the magnitude of the peak let-through current, thus protecting both workers and higher-rated equipment from costly failure.” The white paper can be downloaded
from
https://solutions.gwelec.com/cliplv/. G&W Electric
gwelectric.com
Single module arc fault detection device launched Crabtree has launched a new single module arc fault detection device to help prevent electrical fires T
he launch of the single module arc fault detection device is one of
several solutions made available by the brand to help customers conform towards the IET 18th Edition of the wiring regulations. The device detects and disconnects arc
faults which could lead to an electrical fire in the home. The single module arc fault detection
device uses an AFDD microcontroller and SIARC software. SIARC is a Siemens patented software
which has been proven over many years in the USA. This software reliably distinguishes between dangerous arc faults and the operational sparking of electrical equipment to avoid unwanted nuisance tripping.
With these two technologies combined,
the device analyses a wide range of criteria, including current voltage and high frequency noise to find a dangerous arc in the fraction of a second from the rest of the operational sparking. The AFDD microcontroller is also
constantly making numerous calculations a second to determine whether it has broken one of the five criteria set to detect a fault. It also does both the job of an MCB and
RCD, and it is able to detect arc faults that these types of technology simply can’t. What’s more, it is half the size of its predecessor and can be retrofitted into existing boards. Crabtree single module AFDDs carry out a self-test function when initially
10 DECEMBER / JANUARY 2020 | ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
powered up, and the AFDD repeats this self-test function every 15 hours. It also has a test button (just like an RCDs or RCBOs), which can be used during the initial verification or EICR. Model certificates now include AFDDs among the devices listed, with space for test results. AFDDs are now in the IET wiring
regulations. The 18th Edition says that arc fault detection devices can be used to provide additional protection against fire caused by arc faults in the final AC circuits. In a recent survey on arc fault detection devices, the majority of respondents agreed that the technology can help to prevent electrical fires.
Crabtree
electrium.co.uk
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