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Arc Flash Mitigation
Covol Engineering provides specialist Arc Flash mitigation services for industrial and commercial electrical systems across the UK and globally. Our electrical engineers assess Arc Flash risks, fault current, incident energy and fault clearing times before identifying practical measures to improve electrical safety and reduce Arc Flash hazards.
Our approach combines engineering controls, protective devices and Arc Flash safety protocols around the requirements of your electrical system and site. Where an Arc Flash study identifies higher incident energy or areas of increased risk, we help clients understand the findings and consider appropriate Arc Flash energy reduction measures.
Arc Flash mitigation is the process of reducing the risks and potential severity of an Arc Flash event within an electrical system.
An Arc Flash event can release intense heat, light and electrical energy, creating serious electrical hazards for people working around electrical equipment. The energy released can also contribute to equipment damage and disruption to normal operations.
Effective Arc Flash mitigation therefore considers more than personal protective equipment alone. Depending on the system and assessment findings, mitigation may involve engineering controls, protective devices, changes to fault clearing times and other safety measures intended to reduce Arc Flash risks.
The appropriate mitigation solution will depend on the electrical equipment, fault current, incident energy and operating requirements of the site.
Arc Flash mitigation begins with understanding the existing electrical system and the risks present within it.
Our Arc Flash and Fault Level Assessment evaluates electrical systems and equipment to identify potential electrical hazards and fault conditions.
Covol’s electrical engineers analyse fault current, incident energy and fault clearing times as part of the incident energy analysis. This helps establish the level of Arc Flash risk and identify suitable safety measures for the electrical system.
Electrical faults and changes within the wider network can affect the level of risk, which is why the complete system should be considered rather than individual equipment in isolation.
Where an Arc Flash study has already been completed, our team can work with the available findings to determine the appropriate next steps.
The mitigation measures considered will depend on the results of the Arc Flash assessment and the arrangement of the electrical system.
Covol can consider engineering controls and protective devices intended to support Arc Flash energy reduction and mitigate the risks identified through the assessment.
Measures already used within our Arc Flash mitigation approach include:
These engineering controls can help significantly reduce identified Arc Flash risks and provide an additional layer of equipment protection and enhanced safety.
The correct approach will depend on the electrical equipment, available fault current, incident energy and wider system requirements. Our engineers assess these factors together before recommending appropriate measures.
Arc Flash PPE and safe working distances form an important part of protecting people where Arc Flash hazards have been identified.
The appropriate PPE should be considered alongside engineering controls and the incident energy identified through the Arc Flash assessment rather than treated as the only form of protection.
Understanding incident energy levels also helps clients establish an appropriate safe distance and other safety measures for work around relevant electrical equipment.
These controls contribute to worker safety, but the wider objective remains reducing Arc Flash risk at source wherever practical.
A detailed Arc Flash study provides the information required to understand where Arc Flash hazards exist and how severe an Arc Flash event could be.
The study considers the electrical system and calculates incident energy levels. This information allows Covol to develop practical Arc Flash mitigation solutions focused on reducing Arc Flash energy and supporting electrical safety.
Once the Arc Flash risks are understood, our engineers can work with the client to consider the most appropriate approach. This includes reviewing the site’s shutdown arrangements and how proposed mitigation measures may fit around the operation of the electrical system.
The relationship between assessment and mitigation is important. An Arc Flash and Fault Level Assessment identifies and evaluates the risk, while Arc Flash mitigation focuses on the actions that can be considered to reduce it.
A detailed Arc Flash study provides the information required to understand where Arc Flash hazards exist and how severe an Arc Flash event could be.
The study considers the electrical system and calculates incident energy levels. This information allows Covol to develop practical Arc Flash mitigation solutions focused on reducing Arc Flash energy and supporting electrical safety.
Once the Arc Flash risks are understood, our engineers can work with the client to consider the most appropriate approach. This includes reviewing the site’s shutdown arrangements and how proposed mitigation measures may fit around the operation of the electrical system.
The relationship between assessment and mitigation is important. An Arc Flash and Fault Level Assessment identifies and evaluates the risk, while Arc Flash mitigation focuses on the actions that can be considered to reduce it.
Mitigating Arc Flash risks supports Arc Flash safety, worker safety and the protection of electrical equipment within industrial environments.
An appropriate mitigation approach can help:
Effective Arc Flash safety requires engineering controls and site-specific measures to work together. This provides a clearer basis for continuous improvement in electrical safety as systems and operational requirements develop.
Where workforce awareness is also required, Covol provides Arc Flash Awareness Training to support wider Arc Flash safety and training programmes alongside assessment and mitigation.
Covol has extensive experience supporting industrial and commercial electrical systems across the UK and globally. Our electrical engineers understand the relationship between fault current, incident energy, circuit breakers, protective devices and the wider electrical system.
We focus on practical Arc Flash mitigation rather than providing calculations without context. By combining Arc Flash studies, incident energy analysis, engineering controls and appropriate safety measures, we help clients understand the options available for mitigating Arc Flash risks.
Clients can also access Covol’s wider electrical engineering and compliance services where Arc Flash mitigation forms part of a broader electrical engineering requirement.
If an Arc Flash assessment has identified areas of concern, or you need support understanding the mitigation options available for your electrical system, speak to Covol.
Our team can review your Arc Flash risks, electrical equipment and assessment findings before helping you determine the appropriate next step.