Dangers of an arc fault
An electrical engineer must always be aware of the thermal hazards of an arc fault when installing or testing equipment or circuits. The IEC 61482-1-2 protection standard provides test procedures for protective clothing exposed to (thermally induced) electric arcs in various work situations in the hazardous area. Causes include errors in the handling of measuring equipment, a contaminated installation due to particles or changeable weather (e.g. high humidity) or a technical failure. Temperatures of over 10,000 °C are reached during the duration of the arc. Correct protective clothing for electricians reduces the thermal consequences of an electric arc. Protection of the entire body is only guaranteed with protective clothing that is closed all around. To supplement this, it is imperative (after analysing the hazards) to wear hand and head protection.
Work clothing certified according to protection standard IEC 61482-1-2 has no insulating effect against electricity and does not prevent the flow of electricity through the body. The IEC 61482-1-2 protection standard includes a pictogram showing two triangles placed one below the other. This certification is shown with the printed triangles directly on the protective clothing from KÜBLER Workwear. From the test procedures according to EN 61482-1-2, the arc ignites in corresponding open circuit voltage of 400 volts for the duration of half a second.
2 protection classes are defined for these short-circuit types: Class 1 stands for 4kA/500ms and Class 2 at 7kA/500ms
Flame-retardant cotton or high-tech synthetic fibre
Workwear for electricians and electrical fitters is made of materials with inhibited flame effect or heat transfer and should be ergonomic, comfortable and also hard-wearing.