Suitable PPE against the thermal effects of arc faults must be worn – especially during maintenance when the switchgear installation cannot be shut down. 1) Switchgear assemblies or simply switchgear as per DIN EN 61439-2 VDE 0660-600-2:2012-06; i.e. up to a rated operational voltage of 1,000 V AC or 1,500V DC 2) Among other things, operation is the actuation of main current devices, such as circuit breakers, fuse switches / load disconnectors or motor starter combinations Further technical measures for the protection against arc faults possible, such as dedicated switch tripping setting for exclusively in maintenance situations, setting optimisation of the switch for hazard reduction (reducing arc fault energy). Internal subdivision, insulation of the live components for risk minimisation (probability of occurrence lower). 3) Among other things, maintenance is the cleaning, renovation or replacement of devices or parts of switchgear assemblies. 4) Availability is the period of time in which the switchgear assembly is available for operation / the maximum period of time the power may be out. Assessments and estimates are provided by the operator. 5) Note the settings of tripping characteristics and actual turn-off time of the protective devices. Note the selectivity calculation here. This turn-off time must not exceed the test result of the "passive arc fault protection". The operator is responsible for the set-up. (Status while devising this dialogue guideline 02/2021) 6) Fire risk is the minimisation and prevention of fires in the switchgear assembly through disconnection within the millisecond range. This ensures preventive fire protection. * Class A arc fault protection (protection of people) 5 * Class B arc fault protection (protection of people and systems) 5 * Class C arc fault protection (protection of people and systems) 5 No special requirement for arc fault protection Redundant switchgear* assembly recommended. New and separate assessment of the protection goals for the protection of people and systems! Additional equipment of an active arc fault system recommended * Class C AND active arc fault protection integrated and tested as per DIN VDE 0660-600-2-1 With user/manufacturer agreement for testing with open door or cover. In addition: Suitable PPE against the thermal effects of arc faults IEC 61482-2 APC 1 or APC 2 * Class C AND active arc fault protection integrated and tested as per DIN VDE 0660-600-2-1 Doors and covers properly closed DEHNshort DEHNcare DEHNshort * Class C AND active arc fault protection integrated and tested as per DIN VDE 0660-600-2-1 Doors and covers properly closed. The active arc fault protection should be certified to VdS 2344 (fire protection technology systems) and 2349 (reliable electrical installation) in order to be accepted by property insurers. DEHNshort Switchgear assembly as per DIN EN 61436-2 Proof of inspection as per DIN EN 61439-2 supplement 1 in arc faults* No measures necessary Technical measures necessary (standard requirements) Technical measures necessary (strict requirements) Technical measures necessary (strict requirements) for DEHNarX analysis Assessment of hazards and risks e.g. as per DGUV-I 203-077 Shutdown always possible Shutdown not possible Distance On the switchgear installation 2–4 hours 7–10 days 2–4 weeks 1–2 months Seconds/minutes, not tolerable Protection of people Protection of people System protection System protection Maintenance 3 Switchgear installation open Operation 2 Switchgear installation closed Availability 4 Tolerable downtime Fire protection Fire risk reduction 5 inside a switchgear assembly 1 as per DIN EN 61439-2 VDE 0660-600-2:2012-06 when planning new installations Dialogue guideline: Protection measures against arc faults Maintenance 3 Switchgear installation open Shutdown always possible Shutdown not possible Operation 2 Switchgear installation closed Distance On the switchgear installation Availability 4 Tolerable downtime Seconds/minutes, not tolerable 2–4 hours 7–10 days 2–4 weeks 1–2 months Fire protection Fire risk reduction 5 No measures necessary No special requirement for arc fault protection Operation 2 Switchgear installation closed Distance Switchgear assembly as per DIN EN 61436-2 Operation 2 Switchgear installation closed No measures necessary Technical measures necessary (standard requirements) Technical measures necessary (strict requirements) for DEHNarX analysis Assessment of hazards and risks e.g. as per DGUV-I 203-077 Operation 2 Switchgear installation closed On the switchgear installation Switchgear assembly as per DIN EN 61436-2 Proof of inspection as per DIN EN 61439-2 supplement 1 in arc faults* No measures necessary No special requirement for arc fault protection * Class A arc fault protection (protection of people) 5 Switchgear assembly as per DIN EN 61436-2 Proof of inspection as per DIN EN 61439-2 supplement 1 in arc faults* Technical measures necessary (standard requirements) Switchgear assembly as per DIN EN 61436-2 Proof of inspection as per DIN EN 61439-2 supplement 1 in arc faults* Technical measures necessary (strict requirements) * Class C AND active arc fault protection integrated and tested as per DIN VDE 0660-600-2-1 Doors and covers properly closed DEHNshort Maintenance 3 Switchgear installation open Shutdown always possible No measures necessary No special requirement for arc fault protection Switchgear assembly as per DIN EN 61436-2 Maintenance 3 Switchgear installation open Shutdown not possible Technical measures necessary (strictest requirements) * Class C AND active arc fault protection integrated and tested as per DIN VDE 0660-600-2-1 With user/manufacturer agreement for testing with open door or cover. In addition: Suitable PPE against the thermal effects of arc faults IEC 61482-2 APC 1 or APC 2 for DEHNarX analysis Assessment of hazards and risks e.g. as per DGUV-I 203-077 Switchgear assembly as per DIN EN 61436-2 DEHNshort PSAgS Proof of inspection as per DIN EN 61439-2 supplement 1 in arc faults* No special requirement for arc fault protection Switchgear assembly as per DIN EN 61436-2 1–2 months Availability 4 Tolerable downtime * Class B arc fault protection (protection of people and systems) 5 2–4 weeks Proof of inspection as per DIN EN 61439-2 supplement 1 in arc faults* Switchgear assembly as per DIN EN 61436-2 Availability 4 Tolerable downtime * Class C arc fault protection (protection of people and systems) 5 7–10 days Proof of inspection as per DIN EN 61439-2 supplement 1 in arc faults* Switchgear assembly as per DIN EN 61436-2 Availability 4 Tolerable downtime Proof of inspection as per DIN EN 61439-2 supplement 1 in arc faults* Switchgear assembly as per DIN EN 61436-2 * Class C AND active arc fault protection integrated and tested as per DIN VDE 0660-600-2-1 Doors and covers properly closed DEHNshort 2–4 hours Availability 4 Tolerable downtime Redundant switchgear* assembly recommended. New and separate assessment of the protection goals for the protection of people and systems! Additional equipment of an active arc fault system recommended Seconds/minutes, not tolerable Switchgear assembly as per DIN EN 61436-2 Availability 4 Tolerable downtime Fire protection Fire risk reduction 5 * Class C AND active arc fault protection integrated and tested as per DIN VDE 0660-600-2-1 Doors and covers properly closed. The active arc fault protection should be certified to VdS 2344 (fire protection technology systems) and 2349 (reliable electrical installation) in order to be accepted by property insurers. Switchgear assembly as per DIN EN 61436-2 DEHNshort Proof of inspection as per DIN EN 61439-2 supplement 1 in arc faults*