Arc flash PPE category
Updated 2026-10-27
Data records
- An arc flash PPE category is a class of arc-rated clothing and accessory protective equipment that the PPE category method assigns to a piece of equipment by its type, voltage class and protection, in place of an incident energy figure from analysis; each category carries a minimum arc rating for the clothing system.
- Clause 130.7(C)(15) of NFPA 70E-2027 assigns the category and the arc flash boundary through Table 130.7(C)(15)(a) for ac equipment and Table 130.7(C)(15)(b) for dc equipment, each row valid only within the fault current, clearing time and working distance it states, and Table 130.7(C)(15)(c) gives the minimum arc rating and the accessory equipment for each category; clause 130.5(F) allows the category method or the incident energy analysis method on a piece of equipment, never both.
- The term is written Arc flash PPE category. Value: Arc flash PPE category.
Sources
- Electrical Testing Reference editorial taxonomy, Electrical Testing Reference editorial taxonomy of test methods, 2026-10 edition, Electrical Testing Reference. Held as: Own observation.
- NFPA 70E-2027, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace, 2027 edition, NFPA. Cited: clause 130.7(C)(15). Held as: Purchased single-user copy. Publisher page for NFPA 70E-2027
Obtaining the documents
- NFPA 70E-2027: available from the publisher
Changelog (3 entries)
| Date | Revision | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-27 | created (gloss.arc-flash-ppe-category.definition) | |
| 2026-10-27 | created (gloss.arc-flash-ppe-category.nfpa70e.method) | |
| 2026-10-27 | created (gloss.arc-flash-ppe-category.title) |
Cite this page
Cite the governing standard for the fact itself; cite this page as the finding aid.
"Arc flash PPE category." Arc Flash Reference. 2026-10-27. https://www.arcflashreference.com/glossary/arc-flash-ppe-category/.
Arc Flash Reference, Arc flash PPE category (Oct. 27, 2026), https://www.arcflashreference.com/glossary/arc-flash-ppe-category/.
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title = {Arc flash PPE category},
howpublished = {\url{https://www.arcflashreference.com/glossary/arc-flash-ppe-category/}},
organization = {Arc Flash Reference},
publisher = {Arc Flash Reference},
year = {2026},
note = {last substantive change 2026-10-27}
}{{cite web |title=Arc flash PPE category |website=Arc Flash Reference |publisher=Arc Flash Reference |url=https://www.arcflashreference.com/glossary/arc-flash-ppe-category/ |date=2026-10-27 |access-date=}}