ERMCO Three-Phase Padmount Design Offers Greater Arc Flash Protection

When an arc flash occurs, the severity (known as incident energy) depends on many factors including whether it happens in an enclosed area or in the open air. If the arc flash occurs in an enclosure or box environment, the energy is concentrated by the walls of the enclosure and is focused out the door opening leading to potentially greater hazard and injury for workers in the area. However, if the arc flash occurs in the open air, the energy is dispersed in all directions reducing the amount of energy that can reach a person in close proximity.
 
ERMCO's three-phase padmount transformer design addresses these conditions by offering an open air solution to arc flash dispersion. Unlike a standard three-phase padmount transformer enclosure, the ERMCO design not only allows for the opening of the doors, but it also allows for opening the sides and top. With the more open design, energy generated from an arc flash event can radiate away from the enclosure in multiple directions leading to a reduction in overall incident energy exposure. To verify the effect that the open ERMCO enclosure has on incident energy, arc flash testing was conducted by an independent test facility on both open and closed enclosure designs. The results of the arc flash testing indicates that there is a 55 percent reduction in incident energy when the enclosure's side and top are open compared to the same enclosure with only the doors open.
 
In addition to the reduced arc flash exposure benefits, ERMCO's design offers increased working space that allows for enhanced air flow which results in a cooler operating environment for workers in heavy clothing. The ERMCO design also allows for improved visibility. Tests have shown that the working conditions on a completely open ERMCO unit are 35 times brighter than those in a standard three-phase padmount enclosure.
 
Please contact your RESCO representative to discuss the benefits of installing an ERMCO three-phase padmount design.


RESCO  PO Box 44430 Madison, WI 53744

RESCO | PO Box 44430 | Madison | WI | 53744