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OT: Electric arc flash

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Chances R

05-19-2008 18:47:35

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I thought it may be a good time to ask about electric arc flash. Last tuesday I was plugging in a 480 volt 3 phase piece of equipment on a 20 amp breaker when it arc flashed inches from my face. For a few seconds I couldnt see anything after about 20 seconds I was about back to normal. I still have the flash irretation after 6.5 days. Any one else ever had such a thing or know someone that has so I could ask a few questions.

I figure someone will ask about ppe and lock out tag out so I will go ahead and answer. The machine was wired by a 480 volt + 20 amp plug male and female. I had what I thought the supply disconect locked out. 2 things were done wrong by who knows who but they had the male plug wired hot amd the female with no volts (yes I know how stupid can ya get) Next thing was the power coming over was wired to the top side of the disconect. I was just plugging in the power cord when the metal cassing of the female plug touched the hot lugs of the male plug. I didnt feel a thing but the noise and the fire ball is something I dont ever want to witness again. I didnt get burnt either just some smoke film on my right hand.
Thanks for the help.

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djm75

05-21-2008 03:21:15

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Re: OT: Electric arc flash in reply to Chances R, 05-19-2008 18:47:35

arc flash is a ball of plasma and is hotter than the surface of the sun you are very lucky. looks like some good advice I would use it and be extra carefull in the future. you just never know what someone else has done.
Don

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dave guest

05-20-2008 19:49:48

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Re: OT: Electric arc flash in reply to Chances R, 05-19-2008 18:47:35

BTDT I would not hesitate a minute. Call the state, OSHA, or whoever is the authority there. And your union safety rep. if you have one. At least from what you are telling, some body screwed up big time. Keep all documents and copies.

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buickanddeere

05-20-2008 07:10:19

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Re: OT: Electric arc flash in reply to Chances R, 05-19-2008 18:47:35

A lot of good advice there. Now to find the fool who wired the male prongs hot and the supervisor that allowed this all to happen.

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greygoat

05-20-2008 05:59:44

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Re: OT: Electric arc flash in reply to Chances R, 05-19-2008 18:47:35

I"m retired from Burlington Northern/Santa Fe
railroad. All outlets, in their shops, where you
plugged someting in, had switches. you had to
plug in, then throw a switch, (lever)for power.
I suggest that you ask your employer to review
safty procedures.

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Chances R

05-20-2008 06:17:32

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Re: OT: Electric arc flash in reply to greygoat, 05-20-2008 05:59:44

Very interesting. Thanks

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Vern-MI

05-20-2008 04:47:05

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Re: OT: Electric arc flash in reply to Chances R, 05-19-2008 18:47:35

I'm no eye doctor but I've had eye damage from projectiles and bright light. Various wavelengths of light are more destructive than others and the damage is cumulative.

Long term retinal damage which is cumulative over time and may be caused by repeated oxidative insult from bright visible light. If the image formed on the retina is very small and bright, and it is the intensity or brightness (number of photons per cm2) of the retinal image of the light source that is related to its potential retinal hazard.

Best advice is to see and opthamalogist to get a professional opinion.

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Chances R

05-20-2008 05:48:39

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Re: OT: Electric arc flash in reply to Vern-MI, 05-20-2008 04:47:05

Thank you. I am trying to get my company to do just that today.

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Mark - IN.

05-19-2008 21:16:14

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Re: OT: Electric arc flash in reply to Chances R, 05-19-2008 18:47:35

Get them eyes checked. As bad as hearing loss is, I have to imagine that loss of eyesight must be worse, so don't play with it.

You just got a friendly reminder to never assume anything when it comes to power. I lost three friends and have a third that lived but will never work or do much of anything ever again, all electricity, four seperate and unrelated accidents. We're human and make mistakes. You made a mistake, but learned I'm sure.

Get your eyes checked.

Mark

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Chances R

05-20-2008 04:30:20

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Re: OT: Electric arc flash in reply to Mark - IN., 05-19-2008 21:16:14

Mark I am asking the HR/Safety guy if I can get in to a ey specialist today.
Yep I am lucky for sure. I think I should tell you that I check all my power sources before working on equipment. I didnt this time because I was working with a extension cord for lack of better words. We plug our drops in hot all the time. What really changed things this time was someone wired the male plug hot. I thought I was I was being extra safe by throwing a lock out on that disconect. Thanks for all the input.

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huntingreen

05-19-2008 20:22:04

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Re: OT: Electric arc flash in reply to Chances R, 05-19-2008 18:47:35

Glad you are ok. The company you work for should immediately check all those type connections in the facility.

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Chances R

05-20-2008 04:21:44

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Re: OT: Electric arc flash in reply to huntingreen, 05-19-2008 20:22:04

That job was done by me the very next day.

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JoeBob/IN

05-19-2008 19:47:45

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Re: OT: Electric arc flash in reply to Chances R, 05-19-2008 18:47:35

Number one rule I have when working with electricity... NEVER assume the lines are dead. Always check for juice.

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John S-B

05-19-2008 20:41:11

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Re: OT: Electric arc flash in reply to JoeBob/IN, 05-19-2008 19:47:45

I was relocating a small water heater for a friend at his commercial photography studio in a commercial building with several business. None of the circuits were labeled, so I turned off the main breaker to the business suite he was in. Turns out the thing was wired to a line in the suite NEXT DOOR! Got a little 110 bite, scared me more than it hurt, but I bought an AC detector after that.

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ErnieDD

05-19-2008 19:25:41

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Re: OT: Electric arc flash in reply to Chances R, 05-19-2008 18:47:35

Report the incident to your manager/foreman or medical. If you suffer permanent effects at least it will be on your record.

So far you have been lucky. If more energy was involved a blast of steel or copper vapor could have cooked you.

We have two separate individuals review lock out procedures for complex lock outs, and the procedures are reviewed on a periodic basis.

PPE for high energy circuits would consist of Nomex (r) suits and gold plated (to reflect IR) visors. A competent electrical firm can perform the calculations to determine the energy potential available.

You were very fortunate.

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Chances R

05-20-2008 04:34:03

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Re: OT: Electric arc flash in reply to ErnieDD, 05-19-2008 19:25:41

Yes I reported the accident as soon as it happend. I believe a 1/8 of the plant new it happened as soon as the sparks flew. I had to reset equipment in other departments.
Thanks

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Ken Tallman

05-19-2008 19:12:43

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Re: OT: Electric arc flash in reply to Chances R, 05-19-2008 18:47:35

I have had that happen to me twice where I used to work. It happened when plugging in welders (Stick Tig, and Mig), as I was Qualified on all types of welding procedures. Pretty scary when it happens but no after effects after a few days. I don"t know what causes it but it happened several times to different people when I worked there. Since then the plant closed it's doors.

Ken

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cadet trooper

05-20-2008 16:28:33

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Re: OT: Electric arc flash in reply to Ken Tallman, 05-19-2008 19:12:43

I'm going to get on my rant for a second and tell you what causes it and that is LOTO cost money and time for training it's all about the money. I've been a maintenance supervisor for a long time and getting upper management to agree to the cost for one which doesn't seem to be quite as bad as sending badly needed technicians to the training and some of the rules are overkill because the procedures to make them safe cause too much downtime. We seem to always go into panic mode when someone files a Workers Comp Claim because it automatically raises thier rates then it's whatever it takes we're dedicated then a few months later back to the same old way of doing business. I'm glad I'm scheduled to retire in a few years and it ain't soon enough, you young bucks need to put your foot down and make sure things are done properly and I'm sure no one has been fired yet for following proper LOTO. According to the NEC the maintenance supervisor is responsible to make sure a new installation is wired properly before power up. Take my advice Bro the best tool in your pouch is a good VOM meter my preference is Fluke choice of the pros and remember the golden rule the probes go in before the fingers go on we're in a dangerous business one second kills. Good Luck CT

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