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At IRISS the most common questions we get
from clients are regarding Arc ratings of infrared viewing
panes and grills. Regardless of the claims made by manufacturers
NO IR Viewing Pane or individual component can ever carry
a generic Arc Rating or can protect you from an Arc Flash
explosion.
IR viewing panes are a device designed to
Eliminate the risks associated with live infrared inspections
and not to protect you from a direct Arc Blast or explosion.
Remember:
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99.999% of Arc Flash
incidents happen when switchgear covers are open or
removed |
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Arc flash explosions
have the potential to produce a shock blast of up to
700 miles per hour with a core temperature of up to
15,000 °C! |
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Currently there are
no infrared viewing pane lens materials that can resist
these extreme levels of temperature or force. |
 Electrical
Switchgear comes in infinite shapes and sizes and as such
the surface areas and volumetric elements of the cabinets
are different with each model, type and rating. Switchgear
companies design Panel enclosures to contain and survive
differing levels of arc flash energy that may be experienced
for the type of equipment they will enclose.
These cabinets are then subjected to stringent
tests required by certifications bodies such as IEEE, UL,
CSA, etc… these tests are designed to test electrical
switchgear cabinets for resistance to Arc Flash explosions.
When assemblies are successfully tested with IR viewing
panes fitted, the certification is awarded to the assembly
only; this does not mean that the IR viewing pane or any
other components fitted to the switchgear cabinets are Arc
rated for installation to any other assembly.
Electrical cabinet designs and dimensions
are infinite and we therefore CAN
NOT or MUST NOT use
the data from one cabinet design to another design unless
they are identical in every way.
IRISS has ensured that our ranges of IR viewing
panes have been designed and tested to the highest standards
available for switchgear viewing panes, these are UL508A,
UL746C and IEEE
C.37.20.2 section a.3.6 these standards outline the
impact, flammability and load test requirements for switchgear
viewing panes and do not differentiate between IR or Visual
viewing panes.
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