Integrating arc-flash PPE categories in Protection Device Coordination based on IEEE Std. 1584 and NFPA 70E

This research provides detailed calculations of Equal Energy Lines, EELs, of Arc-flash categories defined by IEEE Std. 1584 for the application of Protection Device Coordination. The Personal Protective Equipment, PPE categories are illustrated as curves in Time-Current Coordination, TCC, plots in order to set and coordinate over-current devices such as fuses, breakers and relays. This would help a protection design engineer to consider an appropriate PPE level for any bus/equipment in a sophisticated power system. Also the developed tool will provide a sensitivity of the PPE category level based on the short circuit current or arcing current range. Therefore, the SC current intervals will be recognized to maintain a specific PPE level based on using both EELs and the device tripping time curves. In addition, a new method is also applied to the NFPA 70E using its look-up table for applicable PPE categories in AC and DC systems.