Arc faults are a real danger in electrical panels in buildings and infrastructure

ARCON^®, an arc fault protection system that shuts down the panel in a record time of two milliseconds

Critical commercial buildings whose functioning is critical, such as processing plants, hospitals, and factories, continuous power supply is essential. According to research conducted by Eaton, a leading company in electricity management, for an average production facility in the food industry the damage of the production downtime can reach 40,000 euros in the first 24 hours. ARCON^® is an arc fault protection system that shuts off power in a record time of just two milliseconds to minimize damage.

The supply of electricity in such buildings is based on the low voltage distribution panels located in the center of the electrical installation. The requirements for these panels, especially as operations and infrastructure expand over time, leave them extremely vulnerable to arc failures.

An arc failure in an electrical distribution panel is hard to ignore. A massive increase in pressure inside the panel, which can reach 25 tons per square meter, can lead to an explosion, with components thrown in the air, destroying the installation and threatening the lives of anyone nearby. Then there is the cost of replacing protection and switching devices, of potential lawsuits and the payment of associated damages. In other words, people, property and business continuity are seriously endangered both immediately and in the long run.

Eaton’s experience in switching safety is demonstrated by ARCON^®, an arc fault protection system that shuts off the panel in a market record time of two milliseconds to minimize damage. By reacting significantly faster than the accepted time range of 15 to 30 milliseconds, the system limits potential damage. Thus, the device remains the fastest arc failure attenuation system available on the market. Once the cause of the fault has been rectified and the arc failure device has been replaced, the system can be restored into service as soon as possible to ensure the required level of availability.

„Our data show that compliance with the standard alone may not be enough to maximize protection. Therefore, a higher level of security can be achieved by implementing new technologies. And when it comes to arc failure protection, adopting state-of-the-art technology is a key measure employers can take to reduce potential damage and increase employee protection, thus exceeding minimum requirements. As a result, we are talking about a significant risk reduction of a catastrophic failure caused by arc failure and its costly consequences”, says Gabriel Tache, General Manager of Eaton Electric Romania.

Energy-consuming companies can expand their operations over time by adding new facilities to existing systems. The result is that the whole set of panels, protection and switching devices can be overloaded causing an arc failure, destroying not only valuable properties and goods but also the installation, seriously disrupting the continuity of activity and endangering human lives.

Partial or complete destruction of the power distribution system will inevitably lead to disruptions of activity, which can take days, weeks or even months. Even worse, the associated damage (costs that occur during outages) increases significantly the longer the outage.

Six types of risks that can occur in the event of an arc failure and how to protect from them

The causes behind an arc failure may vary, but in the most common situations will include: a damaged or incorrectly sized electrical panel for applications; manufacturing, installation or maintenance errors; undetected material defects; small animals inside the electrical panel (rodents, insects); malfunctions, faulty or unscheduled periodically service.

Eaton has identified six types of hazards that can arise from an arc failure in a building or infrastructure where power is vital:

• Security risks for people. An arc fault followed by a fire creates a dangerous situation for people. If the explosion is small or isolated, the damage will be small; on the other hand, a large explosion can cause a risk of serious burns or even death.
• Irreparable damage to the installation. An arc fault can destroy the electrical panel. Regardless of the direct economic consequences of its replacement, the installation or building will remain without electricity for a period, which will also generate a series of indirect losses.
• Significant financial losses. Replacing electrical panels can be a significant investment and can take several weeks. Additional costs may include cleaning, waste disposal, closure, staff costs and legal fees.
• Production stop. For small and medium-sized companies, a day of inactivity can mean substantial costs, and in the economic and social situation we are in this can even mean ceasing their activity.
• Problems related to activity continuity. Issues can range from loss of order and profit to serious damage to reputation. Coming back from this situation is costly and time-consuming.
• Deterioration of the working environment and the environment. When an explosion occurs due to an arc fault, there is a possibility of contamination if an industrial chemical process is interrupted and the hazardous substances require special waste treatment. This causes significant damage to the environment.

About Eaton

Eaton is an intelligent power management company dedicated to improving the quality of life and protecting the environment for people everywhere. We are guided by our commitment to do business right, to operate sustainably and to help our customers manage power ─ today and well into the future.

By capitalizing on the global growth trends of electrification and digitalization, we’re accelerating the planet’s transition to renewable energy, helping to solve the world’s most urgent power management challenges, and doing what’s best for our stakeholders and all of society.

Founded in 1911, Eaton has been listed on the NYSE for nearly a century. We reported revenues of $19.6 billion in 2021 and serve customers in more than 170 countries. For more information, visit www.eaton.com. Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.