During an arc flash event, what is the conductor?

During an arc flash event, what is the conductor?

• A. The copper conductor
• B. The air
• C. Water
• D. The insulation material

Answer: (B)

During an arc flash, the current travels through ionized air between the energized part and a return path. The extreme heat from the arc ionizes surrounding air molecules, turning them into a plasma that conducts electricity. So, the conductor in this situation is the air that has become conductive, not the metal itself, nor water or insulation. Copper wires supply the energy, but the immediate path carrying the fault current is the ionized air bridging the gap.

During an arc flash, the current travels through ionized air between the energized part and a return path. The extreme heat from the arc ionizes surrounding air molecules, turning them into a plasma that conducts electricity. So, the conductor in this situation is the air that has become conductive, not the metal itself, nor water or insulation. Copper wires supply the energy, but the immediate path carrying the fault current is the ionized air bridging the gap.