Arc flash incidents pose one of the most critical safety risks in electrical power systems, resulting in severe injuries, equipment damage, and costly downtime. Recent developments in mitigation technologies focus on reducing incident energy by controlling arc duration, fault current magnitude, and system configuration. This paper presents a comprehensive review of arc flash mitigation strategies, including arc detection-based systems, current-limiting devices, mechanical high-speed switches, and system design improvements such as zone-selective interlocking (ZSI) and relay coordination. Furthermore, key parameters affecting incident energy—such as electrode configuration, working distance, system voltage, and enclosure size—are analyzed in context with IEEE 1584 and NFPA 70E standards. Comparative evaluation highlights advantages and constraints of each technique, while identifying research gaps for future studies in predictive arc modeling and adaptive mitigation systems.

^

[1]Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Electric-Arc Flash Hazards. U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Available: https://www.osha.gov/electrical/flash-hazards [2]National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), NFPA 70E: Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace. Quincy, MA: NFPA, 2021. [3]Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), IEEE Std 1584™-2018: IEEE Guide for Performing Arc-Flash Hazard Calculations. New York, NY: IEEE, 2018 [4]A. Khan and N. Bengiamin, “Arc Flash Mitigation Using Passive Series Filters,” Proc. ISCEE, 2016. [5]D. R. Doan, “Designing a Site Electrical System With Arc Flash Energy Under 20 cal/cm²,” IEEE Trans. Ind. Appl., vol. 45, no. 3, pp. 1180–1182, May/Jun. 2009. [6]A. R. S. Queiroz et al., “Reducing Arc Flash Incident Energy Level in an Offshore Gas Production Unit Using Intelligent Electronic Devices—A Case Study,” IEEE Trans. Ind. Appl., vol. 51, no. 1, pp. 129–130, Jan./Feb. 2015. [7]A. Udhayakumar et al., “Relay Coordination and Arc Flash Analysis Using ETAP,” Indian J. Appl. Res., vol. 9, no. 4, Apr. 2019. [8]Siemens, “Zone Selective Interlocking (ZSI) Application and Testing Guide,” Siemens Technical Manual, 2020. [9]F. Filiana, M. N. Farid, and M. Abdillah, “ZSI Application for Reducing the Energy Incident of Arc Flash in a Distribution System,” Institut Teknologi Kalimantan, 2019. [10]F. Filiana et al., “Arc Flash Hazard Analysis Using IEEE Std 1584 and Lee Method,” Institut Teknologi Kalimantan, 2019. [11]F. Filiana et al., “Designing a Site Electrical System With 20 kV Distribution and ZSI Coordination,” Institut Teknologi Kalimantan, 2019. [12]A. Al-Harbi and A. Al-Mutairi, “Arc Flash Mitigation Initiatives in Data Centers,” Saudi Aramco, IEEE PCIC Europe. [13]Eaton Corp., “Arcflash Reduction Maintenance System Upgrade Solution,” Publication No. SA00804001E, Mar. 2013. [14]M. D. Divinnie, J. K. Stacy, and A. C. Parsons, “Arc Flash Mitigation Using Active High-Speed Switching,” IEEE Trans. Ind. Appl., vol. 51, no. 1, pp. 28–35, Jan./Feb. 2015. [15]R. Garzon, “The Arc Terminator: An Alternative to Arc Proofing,” IEEE Ind. Appl. Mag., vol. 9, no. 3, pp. 20–29, May/Jun. 2003. [16]R. J. Burns, A. D. Baker, and D. E. Hrncir, “Mitigating Arc Flash Hazards: A Review of Effective Techniques,” IEEE IAS Electrical Safety Workshop, Paper No. ESW2018-07, 2018. [17]“Protective Relaying,” Arc Flash Hazard Analysis and Mitigation, IEEE, 2020. Available: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9296498 R. Catlett and M. Lang, “Novel Approach to Arc Flash Mitigation for Low Voltage Equipment,” IEEE IAS Electrical Safety Workshop, Paper No. ESW2016-07, 2016