Benchtop laboratory test method to predict arc flash rating of protective clothing fabrics

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Arc flash is created when high-voltage equipment fails and generates an electrical arc. Arc flashes are**associated with huge heat generation that can cause serious burns to anyone within a certain perimeter defined**as the arc flash boundary. Protective clothing has been developed to provide protection to electrical workers**who routinely work within the arc flash boundary. They are manufactured with fabrics that include fire resistant**fibers to provide a barrier against the high temperatures associated with arc flashes. However, innovation in**fabrics for arc flash protective clothing is hampered by the large cost associated with arc flash testing.**The goal of the project is to identify benchtop laboratory tests / combination of tests that will allow screening**potential fiber blends/fabrics for arc rated protective clothing before subjecting the best candidates to arc flash**testing. The results of these different tests will also provide a better understanding of the mechanisms at the**origin of the fabric mode of failure under arc flash test, i.e. arc thermal performance (ATPV) or break-open**(EBT). The benchtop laboratory tests/procedures explored will include tensile strength measurement at high**temperature; burst strength measurement following exposure to radiant heat; and radiant heat resistance**measurement on restrained specimens. Tests will be conducted on five different fire-resistant fabric blends**displaying a wide range of arc rating performance. Correlations between the behavior probed by these benchtop**laboratory tests and the results of arc flash measurements will then be analyzed.**This project takes advantage of the large expertise of the PI in fire resistant fabrics as well as the unique**fire-resistant materials testing infrastructure in her department at the University of Alberta. The result of this**project is of critical importance to the industrial partner, a manufacturer of fire-resistant recycled aramid fibers**for protective clothing, as he wishes to explore the arc rated market but is limited in his ability to put**innovative solutions to the trial by the prohibitive cost of arc flash testing. Benefits to Canada include reducing**the amount of retired fire-retardant workwear landfilled and developing improved arc flash protective clothing.