Arc Flash & Textile Testing for PPE
The IEC has recently published the latest version of 61482-1-1. The standard now includes a new type of arc rating – ELIM. In addition to ELIM, the update also contains a variety of other improvements. We updated you about ELIM, or the Incident Energy Limit Value, in our blog article on the topic last year. […]
ASTM F2621 has been revised with a title change and broadened scope to evaluate non-arc rated products. ASTM Committee F18 on Electrical Protective Equipment for Workers has recently revised its standard F2621/F2621M, Standard Practice for Determining Response Characteristics and Design Integrity of Arc Rated Finished Products and Evaluating other Products in an Electric Arc Exposure. […]
You may have heard of “box testing” or seen the standard designation for “IEC 61482-1-2”. What is this test, and how is it different from open-air arc testing and an ATPV or EBT arc rating? Box testing, as performed by IEC 61482-1-2, does not produce an arc rating. Instead, 2 different “arc protection” classes are […]
Q: What are the retest requirements for arc flash PPE? A: This is a question we get a lot, and we hear it from both manufacturers and end users. Read on to learn when arc testing should be repeated. MANUFACTURERS Garments In the U.S., there is currently no requirement to retest for arc ratings in ASTM […]
There are many laboratories to choose from when testing FR and AR clothing and components. Which laboratory will work best for you? Well, that depends. Below we’ve provided a short list of considerations when searching for the best laboratory to partner with. Cost and Time Cost is always a factor and all businesses have different […]
ASTM Standard Definitions: ATPV (Arc Thermal Performance Value) is the incident energy on a material that results in a 50% probability that sufficient heat transfer through the specimen is predicted to cause the onset of second-degree burn injury based on the Stoll Curve, cal/cm². Energy Breakopen Threshold (EBT) The incident energy on a material that results […]
Similar but different – How do you tell the difference Between Arc Rated (AR), Flash Fire Rated (FFR), and Flame Resistant (FR)? In 2012, NFPA 70E changed the terminology referencing personal protective equipment (PPE); what was formerly referred to as FR (flame resistant) clothing is to be called Arc Rated or AR, according to the […]
Failures are a common, almost inevitable experience in product development. While it’s always disappointing, read on to learn three tips from a testing lab on how to mitigate risk and ease the painful effects of a product failure in testing. 1) Be actively involved in the process Our goal is to make sure you get the tests you need […]
ArcWear, Kinectrics, BTTG, and SEI have partnered to offer new services under FlashCert: streamlined testing and certification for flame resistant clothing and PPE in the US and EU. Services offered include testing and certification for the following hazards: electric arc, flash fire, wildland firefighting, and welding. Further, the service was designed to simplify the certification […]
We frequently get questions about different fibers for arc protection. This is to answer a common question on testing in ASTM F1959 to meet ASTM F1506 or ASTM F1891. Protex M fiber contains approximately 2x the amount of Antimony Trioxide as compared to Protex C. It is designed to be used primarily in blends with […]