Electrical Shock Association with Arc Flash and Arc Blast Hazards

Electrical arc fault events remain a common form of human injury. Injuries associated with “Arc flash” events are commonly defined as those associated with light and heat radiating from high-energy electrical arcs. Similarly, “Arc Blast” injuries are commonly defined as those resulting from human exposure to the large pressure shock wave pulse emanating from the high temperature arc. These arc’s often result from events associated with repairing electrical switch equipment.

It should be kept in mind that the light producing flash consists of ionized air which is an excellent electrical conductor. Similar to lighting, the ionized air can conduct electrical current and pulsed magnetic field to anything in contact including a person within the vicinity of the arc fault. This aspect of electrical shock injury has not been carefully characterized.