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Learn how ETAP AC arc flash analysis determines the PPE for workplace safety in data centers

We can rely on ETAP to provide both the numerical calculation and the hazard-based risk interpretation needed to make the results actionable for maintenance teams.
by Pierre Choudet, Power System Engineer, Schneider Electric

Over the past years, preventing arc flash hazards in industrial sites in Europe has received growing attention, motivated by the occurrences of arc flash fatalities worldwide. While arc-flash studies are widely established in North America, European regulations remain focused on electrical shock, and many facility managers are unfamiliar with incident-energy concepts. With the growing development of data center infrastructure, understanding safety maintenance in these facilities is critical for electrical designers.

Schneider Electric is a global industrial technology leader bringing world-leading expertise in electrification, automation, and digitization to innovative industries, resilient infrastructure, future-proof data centers, intelligent buildings, and intuitive homes. Anchored in deep domain expertise, they provide integrated, end-to-end AI-enabled Industrial IoT solutions, featuring connected products, automation, software, and services, which deliver digital twins to enable profitable growth for customers.

Location: Italy

Year: 2022

Ensure safety maintenance for a new data center in Italy, powered by 132/15kV distribution network

Challenges

1. Evaluating incident energy across a complex data center power architecture

Four 15 kV switchgear sections supply multiple LV switchboards, each with transformers, LV generators and UPS systems that create numerous operating configurations.

2. Applying advanced standards to European environments

NFPA 70E and IEEE 1584 provide precise methods for calculating incident energy, but most European customers are more accustomed to shock-related regulations and require guidance to interpret arc-flash results.

3. Considering minimum and maximum fault levels

High incident energy can arise not only under maximum short-circuit current, but also under minimum current due to longer clearing times.

4. Accurately modeling equipment dimensions and electrode configurations

IEEE 1584 enables modeling based on real switchgear dimensions, improving accuracy.

Which solutions did they choose?

Selected applications

ETAP Power Simulator

Load Flow, Short Circuit, and Protection Selectivity analysis features were used to evaluate bolted fault values per IEC 60909, assess protective device clearing times, and determine the worst-case arcing conditions.

ETAP AC arc flash analysis

Applies IEEE 1584, including enclosure size, electrode configuration, working distance, and gap settings.

ETAP Digital Twin

Used to build the full MV/LV architecture, simulate different operating states with UPS and generators, and create a consistent dataset for calculation.

Why do they use ETAP?

Main customer benefits

  • High-quality modeling of real equipment. Dimensions of switchgear, transformers, switchboards and panelboards were incorporated into the analysis for better accuracy.
  • Precise identification of high-risk locations. Two locations exceeded 40 cal/cm², and one exceeded 100 cal/cm², requiring both operational restrictions and mitigation assessment
  • Clear differentiation between calculation and hazard analysis. Beyond numerical results, ETAP allowed the engineering team to guide the customer through risk likelihood, task-based evaluation and maintenance procedures.

  • Actionable mitigation strategies. The study explored multiple approaches:

  • Adjusting protection settings while maintaining selectivity
  • Increasing working distance where space allowed
  • Modifying maintenance procedures (additional upstream isolation)
  • Implementing ERMS (Energy-Reducing Maintenance Switch)
  • Adding optical arc-flash detection relays
  • Support for PPE selection. Incident energy and arc-flash boundaries were provided for every LV and MV compartment.

 

Conclusion

In Europe, arc flash hazard analysis has become an essential safety factor in the industry's electrical safety policies, as fundamental as the prevention of electrical shock hazards, which has already been implemented in site electrical safety policies for decades. 

Arc-flash calculations alone are not sufficient. Data center operators must understand the hazard, evaluate probability, consider operating modes, and apply credible mitigation strategies. ETAP provides the modeling accuracy, standards compliance, and engineering workflow required to compute incident energy while also supporting a practical, risk-based approach to arc-flash safety in European facilities.

What do they think about ETAP?

Customer perspectives

European customers are often unfamiliar with arc-flash hazard analysis. ETAP helps us present not only the numbers, but also a pragmatic interpretation that leads to safer maintenance procedures.
- Pierre Choudet, Schneider Electric



Videos

Arc Flash Analysis was performed on a new datacenter building in Italy, calculating Incident Energy and Arc Flash Boundaries at several locations, from the main 15kV distribution switch gears down to the main LV distribution switchboard and diversionary panel boards in each segment. The studies were performed using ETAP Arc Flash software to identify the correct personal protection equipment (PPE) for engineering staff during maintenances operations. Standards applied include: NFPA 70E-2021, IEEE 1584-2018, IEC 60909 (2016).


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