Legacy Arc Flash Issues 1

[mykh]

Would be interesting to know what transmission utilities are doing about legacy arc flash issues relating to old switchboards that have long fault clearance times due to grading with downstream protection and simple protection schemes such as no bus zone or differential protection.

 

[dpc]

If you're talking about metal-clad medium-voltage switchgear in distribution substations, I think they are each dealing with it in their own way. If the switchgear is a double bus system, it is sometimes possible to transfer feeder load to the other bus, then de-energize the bus to remove the breaker.

Certainly most will be providing for remote open/close of the breakers and implementing motor-operated breaker racking.

A lot will depend on the installation (indoor vs outdoor), and the age of the equipment.

 

[Zogzog]

Take a look at the chicken switch

Scott Peterson
Training Manager
Power Plus Engineering

http://www.epowerplus.com

 

[stevenal]

I understand the chicken switch allows one to stand outside the arc flash protection boundary while switching. It seems one must still pass the boundary to attach the switch, though.

 

[Zogzog]

The odds of an arc occuring on switchgear in a static state are slim to none, usually one will occur when switching, opening panel doors, etc.

 

[bacon4life]

What is a chicken switch?

 

[Zogzog]

http://www.chickenswitch.com