Utilizing Data Analytics on Single-Phase AC Arc Flash Testing and Model Development

Abstract

**Please note that the full text is embargoed until 02/01/2026** Arc flash events could result in injuries, fatalities, and lead to severe medical expenses, equipment replacement cost, and even litigation, fines, and loss of business. Such events could also tremendously traumatize the personnel psychosocially and neurologically. Therefore, it is critical to accurately understand the potential arc flash hazards from all the real applications. Yet, due to the random complex nature of arc flash events and great number of uncertain variables involved, there are challenges to provide mathematical models for equipment designers in determining the arc-flash fault current and the incident energy of various types of events. The early arc flash studies could be traced back to early 1950-1960s. In recent 3 decades, researchers have been working on arc flash experiments and building calculation models. However, these studies focus primarily on three-phase arc flash events. There are no systematic research and discussions on the single-phase arc flash studies, which poses similar threats to the safety of workers. My research work is motivated by such insufficiency. The purpose of my work is to provide a deeper dive on studying incident energy and arc current from single-phase arc flash experiments, and therefore provide insights to evaluate the appropriate personal protection equipment and prevent injuries to the crews. In this dissertation, the goal is to utilize data-driven approach on model development for single-phase arc flash hazard calculations. Part of the results have been included in the final report to IEEE/NFPA Collaboration on Arc Flash Phenomena Research Project Team. The dissertation will focus on the process of the data flow and model development, and the contribution is to propose unified equation for calculations under various configurations and parameters.