Square D, a Schneider Electric brand, has announced that its patented arc flash mitigation technology, ArcBlok, is now available across Canada, for Model 6 Motor Control Centers. ArcBlok provides improved protection from dangerous arc flash events for electrical workers and equipment.

Arc flash events can be devastating. They put workers in danger, can damage equipment and cause costly downtime across industries, from healthcare to manufacturing, where downtime is not an option,” said Guy Lachance, marketing director, power products at Schneider Electric Canada.

According to the company, by using ArcBlok technology in new installations or retrofitting older equipment, “the chance of an arc flash occurring is reduced, and in the event they do occur, they are contained to protect the works and the equipment.”

In order to address the hazard of arc flashes in the workplace, ArcBlok uses digital thermal sensors and Zigbee communications protocols for enhanced control and system visibility. This offers additional control to monitor ArcBlok-enabled Motor Control Centers remotely. Temperatures can be measured with mobile devices using Near Field Communication tags, reducing reliance on personal protective equipment and administrative controls.

Schneider Electric’s Model 6 Motor Control Center with ArcBlok technology is tested to IEEE/ANSI C37.20.7 requirements. Once installed, the system claims to mitigate the chance for an arc flash event, and if an event occurs, the resulting arc energy is contained in reinforced structures, rated for fault current at 100 kA at 480V and 50kA at 600V.