Arc Flash Analysis (IEEE 1584)

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Arc Flash estimates thermal hazard at each bus: Electrisim runs a 3-phase maximum short-circuit (IEC 60909), then IEEE 1584-2018 for arcing current, incident energy, arc-flash boundary, and an NFPA 70E–style PPE category. Results are painted on the diagram. Standalone overview for search and sharing: Arc flash IEEE 1584 guide.

Where to find it

Simulate → Arc Flash (IEEE 1584). Requires an active subscription.

When to use

  • PPE selection from incident energy
  • Arc-flash boundary for labelling and approach
  • Comparing LV feeder hazard (for example MCC vs a remote panel)

How to run

  1. Build the network and confirm short-circuit data (source impedances, transformer ratings) is filled in.
  2. Click Simulate → Arc Flash (IEEE 1584).
  3. Set working distance, electrode configuration, and clearing times, then run.
  4. Read incident energy, AFB, and PPE category on each applicable bus.

How it is calculated

  1. Short circuit: 3-phase max fault currents (Ikss) are calculated for all buses.
  2. Arcing current (Iarc): IEEE 1584-2018 converts bolted fault current to arcing current using electrode configuration, gap, and voltage.
  3. Reduced arcing current: Iarc-min is evaluated (variation factor); both clearing times are considered and the worst-case energy is kept.
  4. Incident energy (IE): Energy at the working distance in cal/cm², including enclosure correction factor where applicable.
  5. Arc-flash boundary (AFB): Distance where IE equals 1.2 cal/cm².
  6. PPE category: Mapped from IE using NFPA 70E thresholds (Cat 0–4 / Dangerous).

Voltage range and methods

  • 208 V – 15 kV: IEEE 1584-2018 empirical model (verified open-source coefficients via arcflash-calc).
  • Above 15 kV: Ralph Lee method; the result box is tagged method: RalphLee so HV estimates are not confused with IEEE 1584 LV/MV results.
  • Below 0.208 kV: Bus is skipped as outside the IEEE 1584 applicability range.

Input Parameters

Parameter Description Type Options / typical values Default
Electrode Configuration IEEE 1584 electrode geometry at the equipment radio VCB, VCBB, HCB, VOA, HOA VCB
Working Distance (mm) Distance from arc to worker (face/chest) number ≥ 305 (typical LV 455 mm, MV 610 mm) 455
Conductor Gap (mm) Gap between electrodes number Typical LV ~25 mm; MV larger 25
Enclosure Height / Width / Depth (mm) Enclosure size for correction factor (VCB, VCBB, HCB). Ignored conceptually for open-air VOA/HOA (CF = 1) number Typical 508 × 508 × 508 508
Clearing Time at Iarc (s) Protective-device clearing time at nominal arcing current number > 0 0.2
Clearing Time at Iarc-min (s) Clearing time at reduced arcing current (often longer on inverse curves) number > 0 0.2

Electrode configurations

  • VCB — Vertical conductors in a metal box (typical switchgear / MCC)
  • VCBB — Vertical conductors terminated in an insulating barrier inside a box
  • HCB — Horizontal conductors in a metal box (often higher IE)
  • VOA — Vertical conductors in open air
  • HOA — Horizontal conductors in open air

Output Results

Each bus result box typically shows:

Output Description Units
IE Worst-case incident energy at the working distance cal/cm²
AFB Arc-flash boundary (IE = 1.2 cal/cm²) mm
PPE Category from IE (<1.2 → 0; 1.2–4 → 1; 4–8 → 2; 8–25 → 3; 25–40 → 4; ≥40 → Dangerous) —
Ia Arcing current used for the reported case kA
Ikss Bolted initial symmetrical short-circuit current kA
method IEEE1584-2018 or RalphLee (shown when not IEEE 1584) —

Demo model

Import the industrial example arc_flash_industrial_demo.py (File → Import) to see a clear LV gradient: short cables (MCC Near) show higher IE / PPE than long feeders (Panel Far). Buses at 20 kV are labeled with the Ralph Lee method.

Limitations and Considerations

Important notes:

  • Clearing times are user inputs — Electrisim does not yet read relay/fuse TCC curves automatically for this study
  • Electrode configuration and enclosure dimensions are global for the run (same settings applied to all buses)
  • IEEE 1584 applicability limits (voltage, Ibf, gap) are enforced with clamping/warnings where needed
  • Ralph Lee results above 15 kV are conservative estimates, not IEEE 1584 PPE labels
  • Always apply engineering judgment and site-specific PPE programs (NFPA 70E / local standards)

Technical References

Based on: IEEE Std 1584-2018 (Guide for Performing Arc-Flash Hazard Calculations); short-circuit currents from pandapower short-circuit; calculation library arcflash-calc (IEEE 1584-2018 implementation).

Related: Short Circuit documentation · IEEE 1584 standard

Last updated: October 2026

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