Eaton Announces Arc Flash Collaborative Research Project

Eaton Corporation, a diversified industrial manufacturer, and its associates are reportedly working on increasing the awareness of electrical safety in the home and workplace through their Arc Flash Collaborative Research Project, a joint undertaking of Eaton, the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE (News - Alert)) and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

An arc flash is a voltage breakdown of the resistance of air which can cause substantial damage, fire or injury and can eventually produce a more severe explosion. To help businesses prevent arc flash incidents and educate employees about arc flash, Eaton (News - Alert) has been offering wide range of arc flash-related safety solutions. These services include industry education through presentation of papers at IEEE industry conferences and electrical safety workshops; arc flash consulting services and arc flash mitigation retrofit services.

Moreover, the firm is also working on developing new products to improve arc flash safety such as arc fault detection circuit breakers and arc reduction motor control centers and arc resistant low and medium voltage switchgear.

The company is said to start working for this newly announced Arc Flash Collaborative Research Project as early as from May in connection with the National Electrical Safety Month.

“Through research and testing, the Arc Flash Collaborative Research Project will provide more detailed information on all aspects of electrical arcing phenomena,” said Bob Yanniello, director, Engineering, Eaton’s Electrical Sector, and Eaton’s representative on the study’s Technical Advisory Committee. “These findings can help manufacturers and operators of electrical equipment quantify arc flash hazards more accurately and take actions to prevent accidents related to high-energy arcing faults.”

 

“Eaton’s leadership role on this project brings the ideal combination of dedication and technical expertise to a vitally important challenge in the advancement of electrical safety,” said Sue Vogel, IEEE’s director of Technical Committee Programs. “Through the combined efforts of IEEE, NFPA, and numerous companies and certification bodies, we are making significant strides toward improving safety.”

Vogel described the joint effort as a wise investment of scarce resources.

“The Arc Flash Collaborative Research Project welcomes the participation of other interested companies, associations and foundations committed to eliminating electricity-related workplace accidents,” Vogel said.

 

Recently, the Ethisphere Institute, an international group dedicated to the creation, advancement and sharing of best practices in business ethics, corporate social responsibility, anti-corruption and sustainability, named Eaton as one of its 2009 World's Most Ethical Companies.