04/02/2026
Arc flash is one of those things most people in our industry have heard about, but not everyone fully understands how serious it actually is.
At its core, an arc flash is a sudden release of electrical energy through the air caused by a fault. When it happens, temperatures can reach up to 35,000 degrees Fahrenheit. That is hotter than the surface of the sun. In a split second, it can cause severe burns, permanent injuries, and major damage to equipment.
What makes it even more concerning is that the risk is not static. Your electrical system is constantly evolving. Equipment gets added, loads change, utility conditions shift, and systems age. All of those factors can impact fault current and how your protective devices perform.
That means the arc flash labels and studies you did years ago may not reflect your system today.
This is exactly why NFPA 70E recommends that arc flash studies be reviewed at least every five years, or anytime significant changes are made to the system.
We still walk into a lot of facilities that are operating with outdated studies, missing labels, or no real understanding of their incident energy levels. That is not just a compliance issue, it is a safety issue for the people working on that equipment every day.
If you are not sure when your last arc flash study was done, it is probably worth taking a look.
This is something we deal with regularly and we are always glad to help point people in the right direction or take a deeper look if needed.