Arc Flash Analysis
Arc flash hazard analysis protects maintenance personnel and operating technicians from catastrophic electrical arc explosion hazards. MEPCO calculates incident energy levels (cal/cm²), defines arc flash protection boundaries, establishes required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) categories per NFPA 70E / IEEE 1584-2018, and produces standardized safety warning labels for all electrical switchgear and panels.
Figure 1: Industrial medium-voltage switchgear analyzed for arc flash incident energy and safety boundary labeling.
Technical Scope & Engineering Capabilities
MEPCO Engineering Projects brings specialized domain knowledge, rigorous modeling standards, and practical site experience to every assignment. Our scope covers:
- Incident Energy Calculation: Calculating prospective incident energy (cal/cm²) at working distances for all switchgear, MCCs, panelboards, and control cabinets per IEEE 1584-2018.
- Arc Flash Boundary (AFB) Determination: Determining the boundary distance where incident energy equals 1.2 cal/cm² (threshold of second-degree burns).
- Clearing Time Optimization: Analyzing upstream protective relay and circuit breaker clearing times to identify opportunities to reduce arcing durations.
- PPE Category Classification: Specifying required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE Category 1 through 4) based on NFPA 70E standards.
- Arc Flash Mitigation Strategies: Recommending maintenance switches (ERMS), optical arc detection relays, zone-selective interlocking (ZSI), and setting adjustments.
- Standard Warning Labels: Generating customized, compliant arc flash hazard warning labels ready for on-site application.
Software Platforms & Computational Tools
Primary Tool: ETAP Arc Flash Hazard Analysis Module (IEEE 1584-2018 and NFPA 70E compliant).
Applicable Standards & Grid Codes
Calculation Standard: IEEE 1584-2018 (Guide for Performing Arc-Flash Hazard Calculations).
Safety Standard: NFPA 70E (Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace), OSHA 1910 Subpart S.
Methodology & Project Delivery Workflow
Our engineering delivery aligns with MEPCO’s structured 6-stage project execution framework, ensuring quality throughout input verification, design modeling, and client handover:
- Stage 01 — Scope & Criteria Definition: Establish study boundaries, utility tie-in data, single-line diagrams, and client objectives.
- Stage 02 — Data Audit & Modeling Assumptions: Collect, verify, and validate manufacturer datasheets, impedance tolerances, and site operating configurations.
- Stage 03 — Simulation Model Development: Build detailed, validated mathematical digital models in specialized power software.
- Stage 04 — Computational Analysis & Verification: Execute base-case and contingency scenarios, conducting rigorous internal peer reviews.
- Stage 05 — Client Review & Approval: Present study findings, address technical comments, and participate in technical clarification sessions.
- Stage 06 — Final Handover: Deliver formal certified engineering reports, executive summaries, and native simulation model files.
Figure 2: MEPCO engineers verifying protective relay clearing times to minimize arc flash incident energy.
Completed Project References (From MEPCO Profile)
Selected project assignments delivered by MEPCO demonstrating our technical execution and regional client trust:
| Project Name | Client / Authority | Location | Tools / Mode | Scope Executed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yanpet Petrochemical Plant | Saudi Yanbu Petrochemical Company | Saudi Arabia | ETAP | Complete Facility Arc Flash Hazard Analysis, Incident Energy Calculations, and Labeling Schedule. |
| Air Liquide Industrial Plant | Air Liquide | Egypt | ETAP | Arc Flash Hazard Evaluation, Working Distance Calculations, and Protective Setting Mitigation. |
| Triomada & GPIL Plants | TAHWEEL Holding Company | Saudi Arabia | ETAP | Plant-Wide Arc Flash Assessment, Switchgear Hazard Labeling, and PPE Specifications. |
Key Engineering Deliverables & Outputs:
- Arc Flash Hazard Analysis Report detailing bolted fault currents, arcing currents, and clearing times.
- Incident Energy and Arc Flash Boundary Summary Sheets for all electrical cubicles.
- Customized High-Resolution Arc Flash Warning Labels (PDF/printable) displaying incident energy, working distance, PPE, and shock voltage.
- Arc Flash Mitigation Recommendations Report.
- Native ETAP simulation model.
Inquire About This Service
Contact MEPCO’s engineering team for technical proposals, study scope definition, or project consultations:
Email: m.khaled@mepco-tds.com | Phone: +20 11 2696 7082 | HQ: 5 Al-Ibrahimia Street, Cairo, Egypt