ARC flash hazard: the simplified model of ARC current

A simplified approach of arc modeling is suggested to facilitate the study of the dynamic behavior of the arc current. The behavior of the arc current is obtained as an extension of bolted short-circuit analysis; the waveform of the arc voltage is limited to the fundamental harmonic in phase with the fault current, considering the resistive characteristic of the arc. The arc current calculations by the simplified model are compared with the low voltage equation of the IEEE 1584 standard and tests results conducted by the IEEE 1584 WG. The comparison appears favorable. It encourages an improvement of the model in benchmarking its parameters with experimental results. The simplified method allows to analyze the behavior of the arc fault and to determine easily basic parameters, such as conduction angle, peak value, and the arc power and the arc energy