IEC 61482-2:2009 ELECTRIC DISCHARGE PROTECTION- ARC FLASH GLOVES
An arc is caused by electrons pushing off between conductors and it creates a lot of heat. Arc flashes can reach 35,000°F and workers up to 23 feet can suffer second-degree burns. The point of arc flash gloves is to limit your chance of receiving burns from an arc flash.

IEC 61482-2-2009 is applicable to protective clothing used in work if there is an electric arc hazard. Specifies requirements and test methods applicable to materials and garments for protective clothing for electrical workers against the thermal hazards of an electric arc based on arc thermal resistance properties, such as:


a) The arc rating of materials.
b) The arc protection class of materials and garments (Class 1 or Class 2), when tested with a directed and constrained electric arc under defined laboratory conditions according to IEC 61482-1-2.
c) Requirements of this standard do not address electric shock hazards. The present standard is applicable in combination with standards covering such hazards.


RATING
Arc flash gloves are rated on a scale from one to four, with four being the highest. The rating is based on the glove's Arc Thermal Performance Value (ATPV). ATPV is the incident energy needed to cause a second-degree burn. This value is provided in calories per centimeter squared(cal/cm²).


ASTM F696 & ASTM 2675 TEST METHOD:
ASTM 2675 TEST METHOD
This test method is intended for the determination of the arc rating of a hand protective product material, or a combination of hand protective product materials.

Because of the variability of the arc exposure, different heat transmission values are observed at individual sensors.

This test method maintains the specimen in a static, vertical position and does not involve movement except that resulting from the exposure.

This test method specifies a standard set of exposure conditions. Different exposure conditions have the potential to produce different results. In addition to the standard set of exposure conditions, other conditions are allowed and shall be documented in the reporting of the testing results.


ASTM F696 RATING:

PPE Category 1: Minimum Arc Rating 4 cal/cm2
PPE Category 2: Minimum Arc Rating 8 cal/cm2
PPE Category 3: Minimum Arc Rating 25 cal/cm2
PPE Category 4: Minimum Arc Rating 40 cal/cm2
Required AR Hand Protection: Rubber insulating gloves & leather protectors or arc rated gloves.
NOTE: PPE Category 3 and 4 require additional layers of PPE. Arc flash suit hoods are required and rubber insulating gloves & leather protectors or arc rated gloves are required.