Arc-Flash Hazard Analysis
This tutorial demonstrates the modelling and application of arc-flash hazard analysis using PowerFactory.
The tutorial has been designed for a user who has already used, and is familiar with the basic functions and
structure of PowerFactory. This tutorial assumes that the user is already proficient in the overcurrent protection
analysis functions of PowerFactory.
We encourage you to read the relevant standards that apply to arc-flash hazard analysis such as IEEE 1584-
2002 or 2018 and NFPA 70E.
1 Import Project
Click on the icon from the tutorial “Arc-Flash Hazard Analysis” of the PowerFactory Tutorial window, to
import and activate the project for this exercise.
2 Arc-Flash Hazard Analysis
Arc-Flash hazard analysis is done in PowerFactory via the ComArcflash command , which is available in
the Protection and Arc-Flash Analysis toolbox (see Figure 2.1).
Figure 2.1: Protection and Arc-Flash Analysis Toolbox
More information on the Arc-Flash Hazard Analysis command is available in the User Manual, chapter Arc-
Flash Hazard Analysis
POWER SYSTEM SOLUTIONS
MADE IN GERMANY
ARC-FLASH HAZARD ANALYSIS
3 Data Input
Our goal here is to enter the necessary data required for arc-flash hazard analysis in the PowerFactory model.
The data entry is done for all busbars of interest under the Arc-Flash Analysis page:
Figure 3.1: Data entry on the busbar Arc-Flash Analysis page
We will focus here on the IEEE 1584 standard, edition 2018.
• Open the terminals “Incomer”, “B1” and “B2” and navigate to the Arc-Flash Analysis page.
• Activate the Accessible Location parameter. This parameter must be activated for all busbars which are
to be considered in the arc-flash hazard analysis.
• Make sure that the option Local is selected inside of the Equipment Data field.
• Since we will concentrate on IEEE Standard 1584 edition 2018, select the IEEE Std. 1584-2018 tab and
enter values from the following table.
Conductor Working
Busbar Electrode configuration Dimensions of enclosure (mm)
Gap Distance
Incomer 153 mm 910 mm Vertical in metal enclosure 914.4 x 914.4 x 914.4
B1 102 mm 910 mm Vertical in metal enclosure 914.4 x 914.4 x 914.4
B2 32 mm 610 mm Vertical in metal enclosure 508 x 508 x 508
4 Calculation
We will now use the Arc-Flash Analysis command to calculate the expected arc-flash hazard levels in the
system.
• Open the Arc-Flash Analysis command by clicking on the icon in the Protection and Arc-Flash
Analysis toolbox (see Figure 4.1). Identify the existing settings in both the Basic Options and Advanced
Options pages. It is recommended to read the chapter Arc-Flash Hazard Analysis in the PowerFactory
User Manual to gain familiarity with these options.
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ARC-FLASH HAZARD ANALYSIS
Figure 4.1: Arc-Flash Analysis Command
On the Basic Options page you can select the method to be used for this calculation as well as the option
to be used for estimation of arc duration. The use of fixed times is good for early stages of projects where
protection systems haven’t been modelled in detail but an approximate expectation for the arc duration
can be specified.
4.1 Calculation Using Fixed Times
• The following options are available to set the arc duration using fixed times:
– Global: The arc duration is defined to be the same for all considered accessible locations.
– Local: The fault clearing time defined in the circuit breakers (ElmCoup and StaSwitch) in the Arc-
Flash Analysis page is used by the ComArcflash command for the arc duration.
The “Local” option is more flexible because different tripping times can be specified for each circuit
breaker. For this exercise, we will simply specify a global tripping time in the ComArcflash command.
• Verify that the Arc-Flash Analysis command options are as shown in Figure 4.1.
• Execute the command, view the results and make note of any warnings listed in the output window.
• If the Arc-Flash report does not appear after the calculation has finished, a tabular report can be created
by clicking on the icon in the Protection and Arc-Flash Analysis toolbox and by then selecting the
option “Create tabular report”.
• PowerFactory gives you the possibility to export the results from the report to either html or xlsx format.
Click on the corresponding icon to export the report as shown in figure 4.2.
At the top of the tabular report you can see three buttons, “Show intermediate results”, “Calculate short-
circuit” and “Calculate short-circuit trace”. These calculations options are useful to explore detailed
aspects of the calculation procedure used to arrive at the final result for each location.
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ARC-FLASH HAZARD ANALYSIS
Figure 4.2: Arc-Flash Analysis Report
• Use the Diagram Colouring Scheme ( ) to change the colouring settings of the single line diagram
according to the results. The following options are available:
– Arc Energy
– Incident Energy
– Loading of Thermal / Peak Short-Circuit Current
– PPE-Category
4.2 Calculation Using Relay Times
• We will now re-run the calculation but this time we will use the option Use Relay Tripping for the arc
duration. Note that there are two options for the Get Time from option: Initial and Iteration. Please refer
to the Arc-Flash Hazard Analysis chapter of the User Manual for additional explanation of these options.
• The PowerFactory model has been set up with pre-defined protection relays.
• Set the Get Time from option to Initial and execute the calculation. Are there any warnings or error
messages in the output window?
– The approval status of all protection devices (relays and fuses) must be changed to Approved in
order to perform the arc-flash hazard analysis using the relay times. The list of all devices which are
not approved can be found in the output window. By double click on the blue written object name
the objects can be easily accessed. The approval status of the protection devices can be modified
in the Description page of the elements (see figure 4.3 ).
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ARC-FLASH HAZARD ANALYSIS
Figure 4.3: Protection Relay Status
• Now re-run the calculation and view the results. By selecting one location in the tabular report and
pressing the “Show intermediate results” button, results for the full and reduced arc current will be shown.
For more information on full and reduced arc current please refer to the corresponding standard that was
selected for the Arc-Flash calculation (in our case in this tutorial we are using IEEE 1584 2018).
Results are also shown graphically in the single line diagram in the result box for each busbar and can
be edited as shown in figure 4.4.
Figure 4.4: Editing Arc-Flash Results in the Single Line Diagram
• Open the Arc-Flash Analysis command and set the Maximum Time parameter to 10 s and re-run the
calculation. What changes do you see in the results?
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ARC-FLASH HAZARD ANALYSIS
• Since no protection relay has been modelled for the external grid “Infeed”, there is no upstream fault
clearing device available for arcing faults on the “Incomer” busbar.
• Add a CT and relay to the “Infeed” cubicle
– Make a copy of the CT and relay protecting the “New Feeder Cables” and paste it inside the “Infeed”
cubicle. Disable the earth elements and set the phase overcurrent protection to:
Protection Pickup Current Characteristic Time Dial
I> 1.25 p.u. Normal Inverse 1
I>> 8 p.u. NA 0.66 s
• Make sure to set the status of the new relay to approved.
• Re-run the calculation and examine the results. What are the differences?
• How can the PPE rating at the “B2” busbar be improved?
– Show the protection curves of the “Transformer Relay” in a time-overcurrent plot.
– In the tabular report mark the busbar B2 and then press on the button Show intermediate results. In
the newly created table you can see that the “Full arc current” is the basis for the calculation of the
incident energy.
– Select the row showing the “Full arc current” by clicking on the “Full arc current” cell and press the
button Calculate short-circuit. Observe the tripping time of the relay in the time-overcurrent plot and
notice that a specific fault resistance has been specified in the short circuit command dialog.
– In order to compare the results, now select the “Reduced arc current” row and calculate the short
circuit once again.
• Try increasing the sensitivity of the Ioc Ph protection stage in the “Transformer Relay” by decreasing
the pickup current so it can clear arcing faults faster than the TOC Ph protection stage can. Re-run the
calculation and examine the results. What are the differences?
– By increasing the sensitivity of the Ioc Ph protection stage in the “Transformer Relay” we have
demonstrated that this proposal theoretically results in a faster tripping time and a lower Incident
energy and therefore a lower PPE category. In reality there are likely to be a variety of different ap-
proaches that can be explored and additional considerations to take into account such as protection
selectivity.
5 Printing Labels
One option that PowerFactory provides is the automatic creation of Arc-Flash labels. Here we will look at the
procedure to create these labels.
• Ensure that you have run the Arc-Flash calculation.
• Open the Arc-Flash Reports dialog by selecting the icon in the protection and arc-flash analysis
toolbar.
• Select the option “Create report document” and from the available reports select the report “Arc-Flash
Label” (see figure 5.1).
• Execute the Arc-Flash Reports command.
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ARC-FLASH HAZARD ANALYSIS
Figure 5.1: Arc-Flash reporting tool
• The labels will be created in an additional tab of the floating group together with the previously created
tabular report (see figure 5.2).
• The labels can be exported as a pdf-file using the icon.
Figure 5.2: Arc-Flash Label
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6 Additional PowerFactory Documentation
There is additional information available, depending on what you are looking for; the following documents
can be accessed either directly from PowerFactory or from the DIgSILENT download area ([Link]
[Link]/en/[Link]).
• Tutorials: step by step description of several tasks in PowerFactory. Help → Tutorial. . .
• Examples: the window PowerFactory Examples provides a list of application examples of PowerFac-
tory calculation functions. Every example comes with an explanatory document. Additionally, videos
demostrate the software handling and its functionalities. File → Examples. . .
• User Manual: all the functions, objects and settings of PowerFactory are described in the User Manual.
Pressing the key F1 while working with PowerFactory will lead directly to the related topic inside the User
Manual. Help → User Manual
• Technical References: description of the models implemented in PowerFactory for the different power
systems components. Help → Technical References
• What’s New: document and video provided with every annual release. Help → What’s New
• Release Notes: for all new versions and updates of the program Release Notes are provided, which
document the implemented changes. Help → Release Notes
• Knowledge base: a database of information, based on an FAQ format, available for any users (whether
registered or not) in [Link]
• Scripting References: description and examples of DPL and Python commands. Help → Scripting
References
• Additional Packages: documents with additional description and /or examples of the PowerFactory
Interfaces. Help → Additional Packages
Apart from the mentioned documentation, DIgSILENT provides Direct Technical Support, where PowerFac-
tory experts offer direct assistance to registered users with valid guarantee/maintenance. The Support Centre
is located on the website [Link]