In 1823, Samuel Brown patented the first internal combustion engine to be applied industrially. Father Eugenio Barsanti, was an Italian engineer, who together with Felice Matteucci of Florence invented the first real internal combustion engine in 1853.
Arc flash hazard as defined by the NFPA 70E: âa dangerous condition associated with the release of energy by an electric arcâ. Broken down to its components, we get: Arc: current flowing through air, caused either by human error or faulty equipment. Flash: release of energy including a bright flash of light. Hazard: the danger posed to personnel in the vicinity of the arc. Equipment and work methods are designed and used to separate personnel from live conducting parts by barriers and well-maintained equipment has a very low chance of spontaneously causing electric arcs. As such, arc flash incidents are rare.
Damage is caused both by the explosion of the arc flash and by the heat radiating from the blast. It is possible to protect against arc flash with the proper protective equipment and, more importantly, safety procedures and training. The IEEE has created a set arc flash standards that companies can use during facilities planning to help minimize the risk of arc flash in the first place.