Arc flash risk assessment
Updated 2026-10-27
Data records
- An arc flash risk assessment is the documented process of identifying arc flash hazards, estimating the likelihood of an arc flash occurrence and the severity of the resulting injury, and deciding what additional protective measures, including personal protective equipment, are needed.
- Clause 130.5 of NFPA 70E-2027 requires the arc flash risk assessment to identify hazards, estimate the likelihood and severity of injury and decide on additional measures, taking account of the equipment design, the overcurrent protective device with its operating time and condition, and the operating and maintenance condition of the equipment; the measures follow the hierarchy of risk controls, Table 130.5(C)(3) estimates likelihood by task, and the results are documented.
- Clause 130.2(A) of NFPA 70E-2027 requires the arc flash risk assessment, alongside the shock risk assessment of clause 130.4 and the energized electrical work permit of clause 130.3, before energized work proceeds under clause 110.2(B) on parts at or above the voltage threshold.
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 130.5; clause 130.2(A). 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-risk-assessment.definition) | |
| 2026-10-27 | created (gloss.arc-flash-risk-assessment.nfpa70e.requirements) | |
| 2026-10-27 | created (gloss.arc-flash-risk-assessment.nfpa70e.when) |
Cite this page
Cite the governing standard for the fact itself; cite this page as the finding aid.
"Arc flash risk assessment." Arc Flash Reference. 2026-10-27. https://www.arcflashreference.com/glossary/arc-flash-risk-assessment/.
Arc Flash Reference, Arc flash risk assessment (Oct. 27, 2026), https://www.arcflashreference.com/glossary/arc-flash-risk-assessment/.
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title = {Arc flash risk assessment},
howpublished = {\url{https://www.arcflashreference.com/glossary/arc-flash-risk-assessment/}},
organization = {Arc Flash Reference},
publisher = {Arc Flash Reference},
year = {2026},
note = {last substantive change 2026-10-27}
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