Arc flash - advanced safety systems for switchgear

An arc flash in a low voltage switchboard can be catastrophic in terms of safety of people, and to the ongoing continuity of your business. Eaton provides a wide range of products and services that can minimise the risk of an arc flash in your business. Understanding the risk of arc flash events in your switchgear assemblies is the first step to protecting your people and your business.

Arc flash protection

It has been estimated that the average cost of downtime resulting from an arc flash is £40,000 per day. The replacement of switchgear assemblies can take several weeks, resulting in lost revenues, additional costs and damage to reputation. People unlucky enough to be in the vicinity of an arc flash are at risk of serious injury or even death!

Even switchboards that meet the requirements of the International Electrotechnical Commission's IEC 61439 standard remain vulnerable to arc flashes. Low voltage switchboards play a decisive role in supplying electrical power. However even if the equipment is planned, built and tested to meet the standard, they are frequently modified and added to over time. As the use of power changes over time within a commercial or industrial building, the risk of an arc flash can also increase. Human errors of personnel working on the switchgear, condensation, lack of maintenance or even small rodents and insects can trigger an arc flash.

Eaton offers a comprehensive range of solutions to help businesses reduce the risk of injury and costly damage caused by an arc flash.