High-quality Power System Studies: incident energy, arc flash and reports compliant with IEEE 1584 & NFPA 70E (and Brazilian NR-10 / ABNT NBR 17227)

An incident energy analysis calculates the thermal energy (in cal/cm²) released by an electric arc at each point of the installation, per IEEE 1584:2018, NFPA 70E and the Brazilian standard ABNT NBR 17227:2025. This value defines the arc flash boundary, the risk category and the appropriate PPE for each activity. In Brazil it is required by NR-10 whenever work is performed on or near energized equipment, and it is essential to protect workers and to support the arc flash labels on switchgear and panels.

International practice (IEEE 1584 and NFPA 70E) requires arc flash risk assessment and PPE selection based on real incident energy, not generic estimates. In Brazil, NR-10 reinforces this requirement and ABNT NBR 17227:2025 standardizes the incident energy calculation, the definition of protection boundaries and the minimum content of the arc flash label (item 7.2). In practice, the installation needs a technical study that calculates cal/cm² at each point, defines the correct PPE per activity, and generates identification labels for switchgear and panels.

The short-circuit study calculates fault currents (three-phase and phase-to-ground) at each point of the system, per IEC 60909 or ANSI, and is the basis for sizing equipment and setting protection. Protection coordination & selectivity then uses those results to set relays, circuit breakers and fuses so that, in the event of a fault, only the device closest to the fault trips, isolating the problem without shutting down the entire system. The two studies are complementary: selectivity is only reliable when built on a consistent short-circuit study.

Yes. The ArcFlash Platform has a free demo version where you can calculate incident energy (Ei) and the arc flash boundary, plus free tools such as reactive power and power factor, CT sizing, LV cable sizing (IEC / ABNT NBR 5410), motor starting and panel temperature rise (IEC 60890). The PDF calculation report and the ANSI / IEC / NBR label generation are available only in the full version. It is the ideal way to learn the method before requesting an official study.

Just reach out via WhatsApp +55 (67) 9 8131-7507 or email alessandro@estudoseletricos.com. For a faster and more accurate quote, send the single-line diagram of the installation and, if available, equipment data (transformers, circuit breakers, relays and cables). Based on that, we’ll come back with the scope, timeline and price of the study. If you don’t have a single-line diagram yet, we can prepare one for you too.