IEEE 1584 · Engineering
Arc Flash Study Services in Spain | Carelabs Experts
An arc flash event can reach temperatures several times hotter than the surface of the sun, releasing incident energy capable of causing severe burns in milliseconds. Carelabs identifies and quantifies this risk for facilities across Spain, calculating incident energy at every working point using the IEEE 1584 method and ETAP modelling, in line with the REBT (Reglamento Electrotécnico para Baja Tensión). Every engagement concludes with a REBT-aligned report package, including PPE-category labelling and single-line diagrams reflecting your current equipment ratings.
Free ConsultationTurning RD 614/2001 into distances you can apply
Royal Decree 614/2001 defines the zona de peligro and the zona de proximidad and sets out when work may proceed on or near live equipment. Applying it requires knowing the energy present, which is what the study supplies.
What We Deliver
Incident energy per working position
Energy is calculated in cal/cm² to IEEE 1584-2018 using the electrode configuration, enclosure dimensions, gap and working distance recorded on site. A generic figure taken from a table is precisely the assumption the study exists to remove.
THE FRAMEWORK
Zones are meaningless without a number
RD 614/2001 requires the employer to assess electrical risk and control work in the approach zones. Assessing that risk for an arc hazard means quantifying incident energy, because nothing about a healthy installation reveals what is present.
- Assessment carried out to IEEE 1584-2018, with the model's validity range stated and any extrapolation identified rather than absorbed silently.
- Fault current established by a short circuit study to IEC 60909, using the fault level obtained from your distribuidora for the point of supply.
- Minimum source conditions assessed alongside maximum, since reduced fault current can fall below an instantaneous threshold and lengthen the arc considerably.
- Clearing times taken from the protective devices as actually set, because settings schedules and installed relays diverge across the life of a plant.
- Installation findings referenced to REBT and its ITC-BT instructions, so remediation is expressed in the terms your electrical contractor already works to.
DELIVERABLES
What you receive
A signed engineering report aligned to REBT and IEEE 1584, supporting the risk assessment obligations under RD 614/2001.
- 1Incident energy and arc flash boundary by equipment and working position, with the working distance stated
- 2Equipment labels ready to apply, with a placement schedule
- 3PPE specification per location, referenced to calculated energy rather than a generic class
- 4Mitigation options for positions above the practical PPE limit, each with the clearing-time change it depends on
- 5The calibrated ETAP model, so the study is re-run rather than repeated when the network changes
How the study runs
Define work in the zones
We establish which equipment is accessed within the approach zones defined by RD 614/2001, since that determines what must be assessed and what may be excluded.
Site survey
Enclosure geometry, electrode configuration, gap and working distance are recorded alongside nameplate data, because the IEEE 1584 result is sensitive to each.
Supply and fault data
The fault level at the point of supply is requested from the distribution company, and a short circuit study establishes bolted fault current at every bus.
Protection review
Device settings are read from the equipment and clearing time is taken from the real characteristic at the calculated arcing current.
Calculate, zone and label
Incident energy, boundaries and PPE are determined per position, and labels are produced for application to the assessed equipment.
Report and brief
Findings are ranked by consequence and your prevention service and maintenance team are briefed, so the zones are understood by the people who work inside them.