ArcPRO-6: Enhancing electrical safety through ultra-fast arc flash protection

Arc flashes in medium- and low-voltage switchgear pose major safety and operational risks, including severe injury, equipment damage and costly downtime. To address these challenges, SPIE has developed ArcPRO-6, an autonomous arc flash protection system designed to detect and clear arc faults in extremely short timeframes.

The objective of the solution is to enhance personnel safety, preserve critical electrical assets and reduce operational losses by limiting the energy released during arc incidents.

ArcPRO-6 combines optical detection with electrical validation mechanisms, including voltage- and current-based criteria. The system continuously monitors switchgear conditions using sensors or fibre optic loops capable of detecting arc light in less than 8 milliseconds. Configurable decision logic (AND/OR combinations) enables selective operation adapted to different network configurations and applications.

Once an arc fault is confirmed, ArcPRO-6 triggers protection mechanisms to clear the fault in less than 50 milliseconds. This rapid response significantly reduces incident energy, limiting thermal and mechanical damage while improving safety for personnel and equipment.