Arc Flash Analysis

As an engineering firm with over 28 years of experience in electrical safety, Whitmire & Associates, Inc. (WAI) understands the critical role that an arc flash study plays in ensuring the safety and efficiency of your power systems.

 An Arc flash analysis is one of the most important safety evaluations that can be performed on an electrical system. Electrical equipment can produce dangerous arc flash incidents when faults occur, releasing enormous amounts of energy in a fraction of a second. These events can cause severe injuries, burns, equipment damage, costly downtime, and even fatalities. An arc flash study helps identify these hazards before an incident happens by analyzing the electrical system and determining the potential exposure levels for workers operating or maintaining energized equipment.

Beyond protecting personnel, an arc flash analysis is critical for maintaining compliance with industry standards and workplace safety regulations. NFPA 70E and OSHA require employers to assess electrical hazards and provide proper labeling, personal protective equipment (PPE), and safe work practices. A professionally completed study provides the information needed to properly label switchgear, panels, disconnects, and other equipment with incident energy levels and approach boundaries. This allows technicians and maintenance personnel to understand the risks involved and select the correct PPE before beginning work.

An arc flash study also improves the reliability and performance of an electrical system. During the analysis, engineers review protective device settings, coordination, and fault current levels to ensure breakers and relays operate properly during a fault condition. In many cases, the study identifies opportunities to reduce incident energy levels, improve system coordination, and minimize unnecessary outages. These improvements can help protect valuable equipment, reduce downtime, and increase overall operational efficiency.

For industrial facilities, commercial buildings, manufacturing plants, and critical infrastructure, arc flash analysis is not just a regulatory requirement — it is an essential investment in safety, reliability, and risk reduction. By proactively identifying hazards and implementing corrective actions, businesses can create a safer working environment, reduce liability exposure, and protect both employees and assets for years to come.