Investigation of Factors Affecting the Sustainability of Arcs Below 250 V

Recent testing with various electrode configurations and insulating barriers suggests that 250-V equipment omitted from arc flash hazard analyses has the potential for burn injury. Research into the sustainability of arcs at these voltages shows that assumptions about the magnitude of these hazards need to be revised. This research enhanced the work of previous efforts by focusing on the sustainability of arcs with fault currents lower than 10 kA. Gap lengths between electrodes, electrode shape, electrode material, and voltage variations are studied for their effects on arc sustainability. A modified barrier design representative of the space around panelboard bus bars is also studied.