What is the difference between arc flash PPE levels and incident energy?

Arc flash PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) levels and incident energy are both related to electrical safety in the workplace, but they refer to different aspects of the hazard.

Arc flash PPE levels are based on the level of protection required for workers who may be exposed to an arc flash hazard. This includes protective clothing, helmets, gloves, and other equipment, and is typically rated on a scale from 1 to 4, with 4 being the highest level of protection.

Incident energy, on the other hand, is a measure of the thermal energy released during an arc flash event. It is typically measured in calories per square centimeter (cal/cm2) and is used to determine the level of hazard present in a particular situation.

The difference between the two is that arc flash PPE levels are based on the level of protection required for workers, while incident energy is a measure of the actual hazard present. In other words, arc flash PPE levels are designed to protect workers from the potential hazard, while incident energy is a measure of the hazard itself.

C&G Arc flash kit 55 cal levels 4

Differences Between American and European Standards

There are some differences between European and American standards when it comes to arc flash PPE levels and incident energy.

In Europe, the standard for arc flash PPE is defined in EN 61482-1-2, which outlines the requirements for protective clothing against the thermal hazards of an electric arc. The standard specifies two classes of protection, Class 1 and Class 2, with Class 2 being the higher level of protection.

In terms of incident energy, European standards typically use a different unit of measurement than American standards. While American standards use calories per square centimeter (cal/cm2), European standards use joules per square meter (J/m2) to describe the energy of an arc flash.

In general, the principles of electrical safety and protection against arc flash hazards are similar between European and American standards. However, there may be some differences in the specific requirements and methods of testing and evaluating PPE and hazard levels.