For those working in the wind sector, the risks of arc flash incidents have always been better understood than in many other industries. Working with extremely high voltages and large currents on a daily basis, means that knowledge across the sector is noticeably higher compared with similar industries that are also at risk of the danger.
However, it appears that there’s a new danger emerging when it comes to arc flash, which takes the shape of a false sense of security.
What is an arc flash?
Most of us in the wind industry are familiar with an arc – an electric luminous bridge formed in a gap between two electrodes – but its severity and danger are often overlooked. An arc flash occurs during a fault, or short circuit condition, which passes through an arc gap, and can result in devastating results if the correct equipment isn’t being worn.
Arc flashes can occur for several reasons, and their frequency is somewhat alarming. From being initiated through accidental contact or equipment that is underrated for the available short circuit current, to contamination or deterioration and corrosion of equipment, these are just a few of the many causes of an arc – making the risks higher than many first think.
While awareness around the dangers of an arc flash incident is on the rise, a concerning number of people are still unclear on the hard facts. In fact, according to research conducted by ProGARM and the BSIF, a concerning 63% of professionals across the six sectors most at risk (wind, power generation, industrial electrical, rail, utilities, and petrochemical) aren’t clear on what Governmental guidelines provide guidance on how to work safely when arc flash is a threat, while 80% of those that were aware felt the guidelines were ambiguous.
Thought to be the first national research exercise of its type ever conducted into this phenomenon, the research also uncovered an alarmingly high rate of first-hand arc flash experience, with 57% admitting they, or someone they work with, has suffered a strike themselves.
