"Premium Power determined that it was advisable to introduce new protection settings at a number of locations, in order to improve the reliability of the electrical network, as well as providing safer working conditions in electrical switch rooms. Proposed protection settings were also provided in order to significantly reduce the severity of the potential arc flash hazard at a number of points along the network."
Barry Nicholson
Associate Director
Arc Flash Study Using NEN3140 Standard
A large data centre client that we have worked with previously in Ireland needed to get an arc flash study at their Netherlands plant.
Client:
Large Data Centre
Location:
The Netherlands
Premium Power Role:
Power System Consultants
Project Description
Our engineers carried out a full survey of the electrical infrastructure including MV/LV equipment, power transformers, backup generators, motors, cables and protection equipment.
We then used this information to start building a model of their network using SKM software. Once the model was complete we ran a number of scenarios to calculate the arc flash values in Cal/cm2 for every point in the network according to NEN3140. We were able to identify all the high energy areas that were at risk of arc flash, and made recommendations on how to reduce the levels going forward.
Project Challenges
This was quite a large site with almost 300 boards to be assessed.
A careful evaluation of current onsite documentation was required to ensure there were no gaps so the model could be built accurately.
Project Outcomes
We were able to bring all onsite arc flash levels to below 8 Cals/cm2 through protection coordination setting changes and recommended certain hardware changes. Our suggested changes were implemented resulting in a safer working environment for all onsite personnel working on or around the electrical network. We also recommended the wearing of non-intrusive arc flash PPE for electrical workers.
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