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Overhead Distribution Arc Flash at PSO. SWEDE Tulsa May 8 th , 2009 Dennis Keilbarth . Overview. Introduction/Background Technical overview Engineering and policy solutions Ongoing work Conclusion. Public Service Company of Oklahoma. 527,000 Customers 4405 MW Generation
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Overhead Distribution Arc Flash at PSO SWEDE Tulsa May 8th, 2009 Dennis Keilbarth
Overview • Introduction/Background • Technical overview • Engineering and policy solutions • Ongoing work • Conclusion
Public Service Company of Oklahoma • 527,000 Customers • 4405 MW Generation • 3700 mi Transmission • 21,857 mi Distribution • 1712 Employees • Headquarters in Tulsa • 96 Years Old
American Electric Power • 5 Million Customers • 11 States • 38,000 MW Generation • 39,000 mi Transmission • 208,000 mi Distribution • 20,000 Employees • Headquarters in Columbus Ohio • 102 Years Old
PSO’s Arc Hazard Program • Dedicated teams • Generation • Transmission and Substations • Network Distribution • Metering • Overhead Distribution and Underground Residential (URD)
Overhead and URD Strategy • Purpose • Improve safety/reduce hazards • NESC National Electric Safety Code compliance • Considerations • Consistency across distribution operating districts • Consistency across GT&D business units • Trade-offs: don’t introduce new safety hazards
Arc Flash Overview • Significant Parameters • Fault Current • Clearing Time • Distance • Voltage • Measured in cal/cm2 • “Incident Energy” • 1.2 cal/cm2 = 2nd degree burn on bare skin Image provided by Southern Company
Technical Overview Calories/cm2 Calculations Clearing times 2 to 60 cycles Fault Current 1000 to 20,000 amps
System Summary * NRO = Non-Reclose Order
Solutions • Increase Distance • 6ft+ hotstick • Reduce Clearing Time • Place devices in non-reclose • Some electronic relays have fast trip settings • (Hot Line Tag) • Looking to deploy in high hazard zones
Solutions • Cover-up • Reduce chances of poly-phase faults • Watch for damaged equipment while applying • PPE • Personal Protective Equipment • Last line of defense
PPE Solutions Traditional PSO Requirements: • 4 cal/cm2 FR shirt, Hardhat, Safety Glasses New Additional Requirements: • 8 cal/cm2 (total) layered FR shirt system • Breaker zones require NRO unless a specific analysis has been performed on a breaker without an NRO, with a <= 8 cal result.
Ongoing Work • Develop internal web resources for arc flash information • Training videos • Testing • Clothing system combinations • Effects of reclosing, HLT, and other devices
Conclusion • Simple, consistent solutions that fit across a wide range of facilities and work practices • Achieve the largest safety gains possible while considering the big picture trade-offs • Be prepared to refine processes as new information becomes available • Always look to “engineer-out” the hazards