An electric arc is a luminous electrical discharge occurring when a sufficiently strong current flows through ionized air. This phenomenon, known as an arc flash, can cause an explosive release of massive radiant energy in less than one second—enough to ignite or melt everyday clothing. Arc temperatures are extremely high, with the core reaching up to 20,000°C.
The Hazards of Arc Flash to the Human Body
The dangers posed by arc flash to personnel are severe and must be taken seriously. The main types of injuries include:
Severe Burns from Clothing Ignition: Workers do not need to be in direct contact with the arc to be injured. The radiant heat from an arc flash can melt tools and ignite everyday clothing—such as cotton—within moments, even without a direct flame. Once ignited, such clothing will continue to burn, causing potentially fatal injuries to the wearer.
Severe Burns from Clothing Rupture: The explosive force or shockwave from an arc flash can cause everyday clothing to burst open, directly exposing the worker’s body to intense heat, flames, or molten metal (e.g., from melted tools or equipment).
Severe Burns from Melting Synthetic Undergarments: Even if outer layers do not ignite, the intense heat from an arc flash is enough to melt undergarments made from synthetic materials. Since these garments are worn close to the skin, they can cause very serious, even life-threatening burns.
International studies and numerous real-world cases show that workers wearing everyday clothing on the job often sustain more severe injuries during electrical incidents. In fact, over half of the arc flash-related injury cases reported to organizations like OSHA (the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration) involve the ignition of workers’ clothing.
Therefore, assessing the risk level in specific work environments and providing appropriate Arc-Rated Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) has become a common safety standard requirement in many countries. PPE designed to withstand arc thermal effects can provide crucial extra escape time and reduce the severity of burn injuries, significantly increasing the victim’s chance of survival.
ARC Stopper® Arc Flash Protective Equipment
ARC Stopper® offers the following key advantages:
Superior Protective Performance: Made from inherently flame-resistant fibers, the protection is built into the fiber itself and will not degrade with use or washing. It holds multiple certifications including EN ISO 11612, NFPA 2112, and NFPA 70E. A complete range of four Arc Thermal Performance Value (ATPV) levels is available to meet the needs of different workplace arc flash hazard risks.
Lightweight: At equivalent protection levels, ARC Stopper® garments are lighter and thinner compared to treated FR clothing and are more lightweight than many other inherently FR protective garments.
Moisture-Wicking & Breathable: Containing Lenzing FR fiber, ARC Stopper® provides excellent breathability and moisture management for enhanced wearing comfort.
Eco-Friendly & Safe: As an inherently FR, non-treated fabric using green raw materials, ARC Stopper® ensures wearer safety and health from the source. It features excellent color fastness, is environmentally friendly, formaldehyde-free, and complies with the OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 Class II.
With these features, ARC Stopper® ensures both the operational flexibility of the worker and provides superior protection for their safety.
