Why You Need an Arc Flash Assessment
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05 January 2026
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EA Technology
Ensuring your workers are kept safe while working on or near the electrical network is essential.
Network owners and operators must understand and manage electrical risks to keep the public, their people, and critical assets safe. Having the right protective and mitigating measures in place is key, making an Arc Flash Assessment a vital step in safeguarding your workforce and strengthening network reliability.
Arc Flash is the term used to describe the sudden, explosive release of energy in the form of intense heat, light, and pressure, which immediately follows an electrical fault. Arc Flash may occur between live electrical phases, or between a live phase and earth. It is incredibly dangerous, and can cause:
- Electrocution
- Switchgear explosion
- Production of temperatures which can reach 20,000°C
Our team of experts routinely carry out Arc Flash Assessments, to determine the likely magnitude of any potential incident energy released during an electrical event. Once quantified, this information can then be used to evaluate a range of potential hazard mitigations to reduce both the severity and impact of any future Arc Flash event.
An Arc Flash Assessment should be carried out during the initial design phase of any electrical project to validate the design and identify any potential risks early. It should also be completed whenever systems are modified, so if new infrastructure is added, or components are changed. Such alterations can significantly affect incident arc energy.
It is further recommended that you carry out an Arc Flash Assessment every 3-5 years to understand the dangers associated with your plant and equipment, and to see where you need to take mitigating measures.
If you need an Arc Flash Assessment, contact one of our experts today.
To find out more about the work that the team does, click here.
