AETI Solves Arc-Flash Safety Risks with Introduction of Industry's First Arc Flash Mitigation Switchgear Solutions

Safety a Prime Wind Issue
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports 212 workers lost their lives in 2008 from contact with electric current. In 2007, 250 fatal worker injuries occurred and in 2006, 256 deaths were reported. These statistics include deaths from arc flashes, which are electrical explosions caused by low-impedance faults between ground and another voltage phase in an electrical system. Arc flashes tend to occur during initial power equipment start-up and during equipment maintenance. Injuries from arc flashes range from minor injuries to third-degree burns, blindness, hearing loss, nerve damage, cardiac arrest and even potential death. Approximately 65 percent of arc faults occur during electrical maintenance when the equipment doors are open and an operator is standing in front of the equipment. Conventional arc-resistant switchgear, which channels the arc flash through vents away from the equipment and the operator, has limited arc-management capability, significantly compromising wind farm maintenance worker safety in confined areas and putting assets at risk.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports they investigated 32 arc flash-related accidents in 2009, 38 in 2008 and 25 in 2007. Some industry reports estimate that the average cost a company incurs for medical treatment on behalf of each arc-flash survivor is $1.5 million, and total costs of litigation could reach up to $10 million. 

Industry-first renewable energies switchgear designed for safety, performance and reliability

AETI is leveraging their 60 years of experience in deploying custom-designed power distribution equipment in the world’s harshest environments with the company’s farm services experience, to introduce new 15kV and 38kV switchgear at the Renewable World Energy Conference and Expo North America in Austin. The switchgear is designed specifically for the renewable energies industry, and breaks new ground in farm safety, performance and reliability.

Safety

AETI understands that more than 50 percent of arc faults injuries occur during electrical maintenance when an operator is standing in front of the equipment. By designing remote circuit breaker racking, maintenance workers can rack in and rack the circuit breakers from a safe distance away. The switchgear also incorporates a ground safety switch, interlocked with the circuit breaker, enabling the operator to ground incoming cables during maintenance, reducing exposure to accidental electrical back feed. Most significantly, AETI’s switchgear provides protection for high impedance faults, where fault currents may not reach the required level to trip conventional breaker trip settings. The system uses proven light-sensing technology to detect the arc-flash, and sends a signal to open the circuit breaker, isolating the arc-fault within approximately 60 milliseconds for the 38kV switchgear and within appoximately 6 milliseconds for the 15kV switchgear.

Currently, the National Fire Protection Agency 70E guideline only requires special clothing and personal protective equipment be worn to mitigate the injuries. Even with these guidelines in place, companies would still need to rely on employees to consistently and correctly wear the gear, which does not always occur. 

Performance

AETI’s switchgear is designed to enable maximum farm power delivery to the grid. AETI’s switchgear provides 15kV and 38KV power distribution at 3000A continuous duty, enabling more power to be delivered to the grid per collector line. The switchgear also has a 40KA interrupting rating, enabling farm developers to connect to high-capacity power grids.

Reliability

The AETI switchgear system is designed for farm reliability. By offering industry leading 150 kV basic impulse level (BIL), the substation and farm are provided increased resilience lightening strikes. The system also uses vacuum-based circuit breaker technology that eliminates use of toxic sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆) gas and continual recharging maintenance services.

”We are pleased to bring our rich history of manufacturing first-rate power distribution gear to the renewable energy markets,” said John Skibinski, AETI’s vice president of renewable markets.  “We are even prouder to provide safer, higher performance and more reliable switchgear to the industry.”

The company will be exhibiting at the 2010 Renewable Energy World Conference & Expo North America in Austin February 23-25 in Booth 159, and will be available to discuss the new 15 kV and 38kV arc-mitigating switchgear technology for safer wind farm deployments. Visit www.aeti.com or email info@aeti.com for more information on AETI’s portfolio of renewable energy product and service solutions.

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American Electric Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: AETI) is the premium global supplier of custom-designed power delivery solutions to the traditional and renewable energy industries. AETI offers M&I Electric™ power distribution and control products, electrical services, and E&I construction services, as well as American Access Technologies zone enclosures, and Omega Metals custom fabrication services. South Coast Electric Systems L.L.C., a subsidiary, services Gulf Coast marine and vessel customers.

AETI is headquartered in Houston and has global sales, support and manufacturing operations in Beaumont, Texas, Keystone Heights, Fla. and Bay St. Louis, Miss. In addition, AETI has minority interests in two joint ventures, which have facilities located in Xian, China and Singapore. AETI’s SEC filings, news and product/service information are available at www.aeti.com. 

Forward Looking Statements

Except for the historical and present factual information contained herein, the matters set forth in this document, including statements regarding the anticipated results of our international joint ventures are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. There are many risks, uncertainties and other factors that can prevent the achievement of our goals or cause results to differ from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements including, without limitation, the risks inherent in doing business outside of the U. S. such as political, social and economic instability, currency fluctuations and conversion restrictions. These and other risks, which may impact management’s expectations, are described in greater detail in filings made by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements even if experience or future events make it clear that any of the anticipated results expressed or implied herein will not be realized.