Arc flash risk assessment on an electrical distribution system is crucial to identify arc flash hazards in the workplace and determine mitigation measures to protect the safety of employees as well as the general public. The National Electric Safety Code (NESC) and the National Fire Protection Act Standard 70E (NFPA 70E) both have guidelines for when and how to complete arc flash risk assessment; however, there are other factors to consider as to when an arc flash assessment should be completed. This paper was completed to offer additional considerations for “when” an arc flash assessment should be completed on an electrical distribution system and how these additional considerations could affect the arc flash calculations.

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Christopher Smart, Professional Engineer Contact: c.smart@finleyusa.com

Chris Smart is an accomplished professional engineer with over 19 years of experience in consulting engineering for electric utilities, mainly focused on distribution system planning including analysis using many types of engineering software and engineering principals. He has performed forecasting, detailed load flow and voltage drop analysis for construction work plans and long-range plans. He also completes arc flash studies, motor start analysis, short circuit analysis, sectionalizing and coordination analysis, power optimization, and feasibility studies. Chris has completed distribution and substation system planning for over 20 electric utility cooperatives, municipals, and investor-owned utilities. Chris has a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Texas, San Antonio, is a registered P.E. in Arkansas, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas, and is in the process of adding licenses in other states. Chris is a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE), National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE), and Texas Society of Professional Engineers (TSPE).