Arc Flash Study

Introduction

An Arc Flash Study is an engineering assessment used to evaluate the potential hazards associated with electrical arc faults within a power distribution system. It helps determine incident energy, arc-flash boundaries and other electrical parameters at specific equipment locations.

iFluids Engineering provides Arc Flash Study services for industrial and infrastructure facilities, combining electrical system modelling, short-circuit analysis, protection coordination and IEEE 1584-based calculations. The assessment helps identify electrical hazards and supports practical measures for reducing arc-flash exposure and improving electrical safety.

What Is an Arc Flash Study?

An Arc Flash Study evaluates the potential energy released during an electrical arc fault and determines the resulting hazard at applicable equipment locations. It is also commonly referred to as an Arc Flash Hazard Analysis or arc-flash hazard calculation study.

The analysis considers parameters such as fault current, arcing current, equipment configuration, working distance and protective-device clearing time to determine the potential severity of an arc-flash event.

Typical results include:

• Incident energy
• Arc-flash boundary
• Arcing current
• Fault-clearing time
• Equipment-specific hazard results
• Information supporting PPE selection
• Opportunities for incident-energy reduction
• Arc-flash labelling requirements

For applicable three-phase AC systems, IEEE 1584-2018 provides mathematical models used to determine predicted incident energy and arc-flash boundary.

Why Is an Arc Flash Study Important?

An Arc Flash Hazard Analysis identifies potential electrical hazards at specific equipment locations and helps determine the severity of an arc-flash event. The results support electrical safety decisions related to PPE, protection settings, equipment labelling and risk-reduction measures.

The assessment can also identify conditions that may contribute to higher incident energy, equipment damage and unplanned electrical outages.

Standards & Guidelines

Standard / Guideline	Relevance
IEEE 1584-2018	Provides mathematical models for determining incident energy and arc-flash boundary for applicable systems.
IEEE 1584.1-2022	Provides guidance for defining the scope and deliverables of an arc-flash hazard calculation study.
IEEE 1584.2-2025	Provides data-collection guidance for applicable three-phase 50/60 Hz AC systems operating at 1000 V and below.
NFPA 70E	Addresses electrical safety in the workplace, including arc-flash risk assessment, safe work practices and protective measures.
Applicable Local Requirements	Project-specific regulations, client specifications and electrical safety requirements are considered according to the facility and project scope.

IEEE 1584.1-2022 provides guidance on the scope and deliverables associated with an arc-flash hazard calculation study, while IEEE 1584.2-2025 addresses data-collection guidance for specified low-voltage three-phase AC systems.

Scope of an Arc Flash Analysis

The scope of an Arc Flash Analysis depends on the electrical network, project requirements and availability of system data. A typical assessment may include:

• Review and verification of single-line diagrams
• Electrical system data collection and validation
• Transformer and generator data
• Cable and conductor information
• Switchgear and MCC details
• Circuit-breaker and relay settings
• Short-circuit analysis
• Protection coordination review
• Arc-flash calculations
• Incident energy assessment
• Arc-flash boundary calculation
• Equipment labelling
• Mitigation recommendations
• Technical reporting

For existing facilities, field verification may be included where drawings or equipment data require validation.

Arc Flash Analysis Methodology

A reliable Arc Flash Assessment starts with an accurate electrical system model and appropriate design or field data.

1. Electrical Data Collection

Relevant information such as single-line diagrams, transformer data, cable details, motor ratings, switchgear information, breaker settings and relay data is collected and reviewed.

2. Electrical System Modelling

The collected information is used to develop or update the electrical network model, including sources, transformers, cables, motors, buses, switchgear and protective devices.

3. Short-Circuit Analysis

Available fault current is determined at relevant equipment locations. Where required by the project scope, applicable operating conditions are considered because fault levels can influence the Arc Flash Calculation.

4. Protection Coordination Review

Protective-device characteristics and settings are reviewed to understand fault-clearing behaviour. Since clearing time can significantly affect incident energy, protection coordination is closely linked with the electrical hazard assessment.

5. Incident Energy Analysis

The applicable IEEE 1584 methodology is used to determine parameters such as arcing current, incident energy, arc-flash boundary and fault duration based on the electrical system and equipment characteristics.

This Incident Energy Analysis provides equipment-specific results that can be used to understand potential thermal exposure at defined working distances.

6. Mitigation and Labelling

Where higher incident energy is identified, practical mitigation measures can be evaluated. Equipment-specific results can also support arc-flash labelling and final technical documentation.

Key Parameters Evaluated

The assessment typically evaluates:

• Incident Energy – Thermal energy that may reach a worker at the defined working distance.
• Arc-Flash Boundary – Distance associated with the applicable incident-energy threshold.
• Arcing Current – Current flowing through the electrical arc.
• Fault-Clearing Time – Time required for the protective device to interrupt the fault.
• Working Distance – Distance between the potential arc source and the worker used in the calculation.
• Equipment Configuration – Relevant equipment and enclosure characteristics considered in the calculation.
• PPE Information – Results that support appropriate protective measures under the applicable electrical safety program.

What Does an Arc Flash Calculation Determine?

Depending on the project scope, an Arc Flash Calculation can determine:

• Predicted incident energy at applicable equipment locations
• Arc-flash boundary
• Arcing current
• Fault-clearing time
• Equipment-specific arc-flash hazard results
• Conditions contributing to higher incident energy
• Potential protection or system modifications
• Information required for applicable arc-flash labels

These results help electrical teams understand the hazard associated with individual equipment locations rather than treating the entire electrical system as having the same level of exposure.

Arc Flash Study Deliverables

The study provides a set of technical outputs based on the project requirements, which may include: 

• Electrical system model
• Single-line diagram review or updates
• Short-circuit study results
• Protection coordination results
• Arc-flash calculation report
• Equipment-wise incident energy results
• Arc-flash boundary values
• PPE information
• Mitigation recommendations
• Arc-flash equipment labels
• Final technical documentation

Software Used for Arc Flash Studies

Arc Flash Studies can be performed using established power system analysis software suitable for the project scope and electrical system configuration. Our in-house electrical engineering team has hands-on experience in developing and analysing electrical system models using the following software platforms:

• ETAP
• DIgSILENT PowerFactory
• SKM Power Tools

Real project examples

Project Name: Arc Flash Assessment – Land Rig GDI-2 (Arc Flash Survey, Short Circuit Study & Protective Device Coordination Study)
Location: Gulf Drilling International, Zekreet, Qatar

iFluids Engineering, under TÜV Middle East (TÜV NORD Group), conducted an Arc Flash Study for Gulf Drilling International’s onshore rig GDI-2 at Zekreet, Qatar. The analysis was performed using ETAP software, benchmarked against IEEE 1584-2002 and NFPA 70E-2015 standards. A total of 23 electrical systems and panels across the rig were evaluated, assessing bolted/arcing fault currents, incident energy, and arc flash boundaries. Suitable recommendations were provided to enhance personnel safety and PPE selection across the assessed systems. 

Arc Flash Study vs. Short-Circuit Study vs. Protection Coordination

These studies are closely related but serve different engineering purposes:

Study	Main Purpose
Short-Circuit Study	Determines available fault current and evaluates system fault conditions.
Protection Coordination Study	Reviews protective-device operation and coordination during fault conditions.
Arc Flash Study	Determines predicted incident energy and arc-flash boundary at applicable equipment locations.

A coordinated approach allows the electrical system model, fault levels and protective-device operation to be considered together when assessing arc-flash hazards. IEEE guidance also identifies short-circuit current and protective-device coordination information as important inputs for arc-flash hazard calculation studies.

Industries We Serve

Arc-flash assessments support a wide range of industrial and electrical facilities, including:

• Oil & Gas and Refineries
• Petrochemical & Chemical Plants
• Power Generation and Utilities
• Manufacturing and Heavy Industries
• Cement and Steel Plants
• Water & Wastewater Facilities
• Data Centres
• Renewable Energy Facilities
• Commercial & Infrastructure Projects

For complex electrical networks, the assessment can be integrated with Power System Studies, including load flow, short-circuit analysis and protection coordination.

When to Reassess an Arc Flash Study

An existing assessment should be reviewed when significant changes are made to the electrical system, such as:

• Addition of transformers or generators
• Major motor additions
• Installation of new switchgear or MCCs
• Changes to utility supply
• Changes to protection settings
• Plant expansion
• Major equipment replacement
• Significant electrical system modifications

Keeping the analysis aligned with the actual electrical system is important because changes in equipment, network configuration or protection settings can affect the calculated results.

Conclusion

iFluids Engineering provides IEEE 1584-based Arc Flash Study services combining electrical system modelling, short-circuit analysis, protection coordination and arc-flash calculations. The assessment delivers equipment-specific results, technical documentation and practical mitigation recommendations.

For new facilities, electrical modifications or existing study reviews, contact iFluids Engineering to discuss your electrical system, study scope and project requirements.