Underground mining is one of the most dangerous industries on earth. In order to protect equipment and employees, various protective devices need to be put in place to monitor the environment and offer the best level of safety to everyone in the working environment.
One such device is the arc guard, which is designed to protect against the high temperatures and explosive forces that can be generated during a short circuit or another electrical fault. The arc guard is essentially a barrier that prevents the release of energy from an electrical fault until the power circuit breaker or another protective device can interrupt the flow of current. This ensures that employees and equipment are not exposed to the dangerous conditions that can occur during a fault.
Becker Mining Systems offers a variety of arc guards that are designed to protect against the high temperatures and explosive forces that can be generated during a short circuit or another electrical fault. The products are available in both metal and non-metal versions and can be customized to suit the specific needs of your application.
The main features of arc guards from Becker Mining SMC include:
- The equipment is resistant to arc, protecting miners at the front, back, and sides of the equipment from harm.
- In accordance with ANSI/IEEE C37.20.7-2007, this product has been tested and evaluated for resistance to arcs.
- To resist pressure from internal arcing faults, the enclosure is strengthened.
- Pressure vents and pressure dams are used in this system to ensure that the pressure is released gradually.
What Is An Arc Flash?
A high voltage flash or Arc Flash is an electrical explosion that results from a connection through air to ground or another voltage phase in an electrical system. This is caused when the current density in the air becomes high enough to cause electrons to be ripped away from their atoms, creating plasma. The plasma then conducts electricity, which can result in an arc flash.
An Arc Flash event can happen without any human interaction whatsoever. When it does, the results can be catastrophic. The extreme heat from an Arc Flash can easily reach 35,000 degrees Fahrenheit – hot enough to melt steel. The pressure waves generated by an Arc Flash can be strong enough to knock a person down, and the flying debris created by an Arc Flash can cause serious injuries.
In order to protect workers from the dangers of an Arc Flash, employers need to provide them with the proper safety equipment. This includes arc-rated clothing, face shields, and gloves. Employers also need to ensure that their employees are properly trained in how to use this safety equipment.
Becker Mining Systems offers a variety of products that can help protect workers from the dangers of an Arc Flash. These products include our arc guard systems to prevent arc flash, blast and other incidents.
If you are looking for a reliable and effective way to protect your employees and equipment from the dangers of electrical faults, contact Becker Mining Systems today to learn more about the arc guard from Becker Mining SMC.