Reducing Damage from Arc-Flash Accident with Ultraviolet Wavelength and Noise Detection

Arcflash accident takes approximately 40% of entire domestic accident. The problem with arcflash accidents is that when the duration of arc increases, the size of arcflash accidents increases. When arc occurs, the electrical characteristics change depending on the type of load, such as frequency, voltage, and current. Most of arc detection methods are based on using characteristic changes such as voltage, current in high frequency band. So when arcflash accident occurs, the most important part is to detect arc and generate trip signal immediately. Moreover, arc detection system should be precise not to affect normal operation. In this study, we propose a method for high speed detection with combining detection of specific wave length of UV ray and high frequency component of arc. The proposed system is configured to distinguish arc with its UV wave length and high frequency component then generate a trip signal. Conventional arc protection system has intrinsic delay time not to affect normal operation. The proposed system can minize that delay time to generate trip signal compared to conventional system.