ARC

Arc flash is a fault current flowing through air between energized phase conductors, phase conductors to neutral or ground. It results in a rapid release of radiant(90%) and convection(10%) heat energy from the breakdown of air insulatrion into a highly conductivie plasman reach temperatures 4 times hotter than the sun(35000)causing more than 2000 burn injuries per year, and can be fatal

Workers move near or contact energized conductors causing a spark that breaks down air insulation between conductors, and failure of equipment may create a spark that causes an arc flash between energized conductors

Arc flash heat is measured in Calories/cm² (Cal/cm²)

A calorie is the energy required to raise on gram of water one degree Celsius at one atmosphere. The onset of second-degree burns may occur from 1.2 calories/cm². One calories/cm² can be equal to holding your finger over the tip of a flame of a cigarette lighter for one second.

Arc flash heat energy is calculated at the worker's upper body(torso)and face. It is based on arc energy, the workers distance to the arc, and length of exposure. The arc energy at the worker's body is called the "incident energy" measured in Cal/cm²

Industry standards and government agencies agree that 1.2 to 20 cal/cm² is an acceptable worker incident energy level. This exposure to arc radiant heat energy may cause a curable 2nd degree burn of the epidermis indicated by painful red skin and blisters. The damaged epidermis will regenerate without scar tissue.

Controlling worker's incident energy reduces the severity of burn injuiries and saves lives. Methods we use to reduce worker incident energy levels are reduce arc flash current and clearing time movie worker farther from potential arc, wear proper Arc Thermal Performance Value(ATPV),flame Resistant(FR), clothing system, and change work method to lower arc incident energy

The ATPV is measured in cal/cm², and it's defined as the maximum incident heat energy that a fabric can absorb and lessen the injury to a 2nd degree burn. If the worker is exposed to a potential incident heat energy levrel of less than 4.0 cal/cm², the proper ATPV clothing system is 4. cal/cm²

The lifespan of a garment is dependent on many factors such as wash care,storage between use and wear and tear during use. E.g. if the garment has been in use for 3 weeks and a workwear tears, the garment needs to be replaced therefore the lifespan of the garment has ended Similarly, it's important to remember that when a garnment is tested for arc rating, it has already been washed 100 times before the arc rating tests are done

Arc clothing is used in a wide variety of industries including Mining, Manufacturing, Substations, Switch Rooms, Power Utilities and any industrial environment that requires electrical maintenance.

We recognized a need in this sector and saw the opportunity to supply high quality Arc Workwear & PPE, ex stock, at competitive prices, which aligns with the Dromex philosophy

All Dromex Arc Workwear & PPE has been tested to international standards at leading facilities and have not just met existing stadnards but the majority of our test results exceeded the rating on the garment.

• Arc's blinding flash
• Molten metal burns
• Flying parts
• Sound levels that rupture the ear drums.
• Blast pressure wave that cuases worker injuiries.