Arc Flash & Electrical Safety: September 2007

Thursday, September 27, 2007

FP&L Substation Explosion

This is a video of the 2001 explosion of a Florida Power and Light (FP&L) transformer at Ives Dairy Substation in Miami, Florida.

The incident starts with a ground fault in a defective fuse holder producing an arcing fault which results in the mineral oil in the transformer boiling and evaporating. The evaporated mineral oil ignites creating a fireball that destroys the substation.

View the FPL Transformer Explosion Video

Labels: Arc Flash, Safety Video

posted by Steve Hudgik | This Arc Flash Post and 1 Comments | Add Comment | links

Thursday, September 20, 2007

What Works: Arc flash On The Run In Pompano Beach

I prefer articles that provide some detail about what was done to solve a particular problem. Today's online issue of Plant Services Magazine has a fairly good article that does this. It describes how Micro Typing Systems, Inc. addressed arc flash problems in their facility. The opening sentence of the article describes the problem:

"Aging equipment, an outdated electrical distribution system, and a facility originally designed for other purposes contributed to elevated arc flash incident energy values throughout the 20,000 sq. ft. facility of Pompano Beach, Fla.-based Micro Typing Systems, Inc. "

The goes on to describe what they did to reduce arc flash incident energy levels and ensure both their staff and contractors were properly protected from arc flash.

The article is at: http://www.plantservices.com/articles/2007/194.html

Labels: Arc Flash, Arc Flash PPE

posted by Steve Hudgik | This Arc Flash Post and 0 Comments | Add Comment | links

Friday, September 14, 2007

NEMA Publishes Grounding Rod Electrodes Standard

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) has published ANSI/NEMA GR 1-2007 Grounding Rod Electrodes and Grounding Rod Electrode Couplings. It provides practical information concerning materials, construction, testing, performance, and manufacture of copper-bonded ground rod electrodes, zinc-coated ground rod electrodes, and stainless steel-clad ground rod electrodes.

This ANSI-approved standard applies to electrodes and electrode couplings that function according to the National Electrical Code® (NEC) and the National Electrical Safety Code (NESC). It covers design and performance requirements and provides recommendations for selections and use. It also includes information for electrode products that have been successfully used for many years but are not defined within NEC or NESC.

The contents and scope of GR 1-2007 may be viewed, and a hard copy or electronic copy purchased for $58, by visiting NEMA’s website at www.nema.org/stds/gr1.cfm, or by contacting IHS at 800-854-7179 (within the U.S.), 303-397-7956 (international), or 303-397-2740 (fax).

NEMA is the trade association for the electrical manufacturing industry. Founded in 1926 and headquartered near Washington, D.C., its approximately 450 member companies manufacture products used in the generation, transmission and distribution, control, and end-use of electricity.

Labels: Electrical Safety, NEMA Standards

posted by Steve Hudgik | This Arc Flash Post and 0 Comments | Add Comment | links

Wednesday, September 05, 2007

Should You Outsource Electrical Hazard Assessments?

A new article on PlantService.com by Larry Altmayer of Littelfuse discusses the resources and expertise needed to conduct electrical hazard assessments.

The introduction states:

"OSHA regulations and NFPA standards (OSHA 1910 and NFPA 70E) require employers to identify and evaluate electrical hazards in the workplace, and to establish safe work practices and PPE for workers. This includes not only possible shock hazards, but also an assessment of electrical Arc-Flash hazards, as described in the 2004 edition of NFPA 70E. An Arc-Flash assessment is critical, as such events generate intense heat and arc blast pressures that can cause severe burns, concussions, falls, and associated injuries. These events are a leading cause of death among electrical workers."

The article covers the following topics: