SAFETY BENEFITS OF ARC-RESISTANT METALCLAD MEDIUM-VOLTAGE SWITCHGEAR

One cause of serious injuries to electrical workers in the petrochemic al industry is hash burns from arcing faults in medium-voltage metalcl ad switchgear. First introduced in Europe, are-resistant switchgear de signs are now being marketed in North America to eliminate this potent ial cause of injuries by containing the are byproducts and venting the gases in a safe manner. This paper discusses current worker safety re gulations, the arcing fault process, standards governing are-resistant switchgear, and switchgear design, application, and cost/benefit cons iderations. One manufacturer's experience testing a new arc-resistant switchgear design is included.