IEEE Standard 1584-2018 Predictions Compared With Tests on Real-World Equipment: Matching Data from Real-Equipment Testing

IEEE standard 1584-2018,
IEEE guide for performing arc-Flash Hazard Calculations
, contains a significant update to industry models for predicting the incident energy from arc flash. These models include different box sizes, voltages, and electrode geometries. The predictions from these models are compared to tests on medium-voltage equipment. The equipment includes circuit-breaker cabinets, live-front switches, and live-front transformers. The results show which input assumptions are most applicable for each type of equipment (including vertical and horizontal electrodes). With some equipment, particularly horizontal electrodes, IEEE 1584-2018 predictions underpredicted the measurements of incident energy, so multiplier factors may be needed.