Protective Clothing Against the Thermal Hazards of an Electric Arc
IEC 61482 is the international standard for protective clothing designed to shield workers from the thermal hazards caused by electric arc flash. It applies to garments worn by workers in electrical utilities, industrial plants, substations, and any environment where accidental arc flash poses a risk.
The standard defines two independent test methods — each measuring arc protection in a different way.
IEC 61482-1-1: Open Arc Method (ATPV)-1-1: the “open arc” method
This test method is used in thee USA. This test method measures the ATPV value or EBT50. The ATPV value is the value (in cal/cm2) that predicts a 50% of protection against a second degree burn. The higher the value, the better the protection. In America, a minimal ATPV value of 8 is required for employees exposed to electric-arc hazards. The measured ATPV value is mentioned on the label. The HAVEP® 5safety Image collection has an ATPV value of 11.5 cal/cm8.
IEC 61482-1-2: Constrained Arc (Box) Test
This method is standard in Europe and tests fabric performance under a controlled, constrained arc discharge.
A fabric sample is exposed to an electric arc produced by a short circuit of:
- 4 kA — Class 1 (lower energy)
- 7 kA — Class 2 (higher energy)
The arc duration does not exceed 500 ms. The test measures the heat transmitted through the sample and, using the Stoll curve, determines the time to onset of second-degree burns. Samples are also evaluated for after-flaming, hole formation, melting, dripping, and shrinkage.
In addition to fabric samples, a complete garment must also be tested — not to determine an energy value, but to assess the integrity of seams, closures, and accessories after arc exposure.
Classification: Garments achieving Class 1 provide protection against lower arc energies; Class 2 garments offer higher protection and are required in more hazardous environments.
General Construction Requirements
In addition to arc protection performance, garments certified under IEC 61482 must meet the ergonomic and design requirements drawn from EN ISO 11611 (welding protective clothing), covering fit, mobility, dimensional change after washing, and mechanical durability.
Current Standard Version
The active edition is IEC 61482-2:2018, which specifies performance requirements and test methods for arc-protective clothing used in electrical work. Ensure your garments and fabrics are certified to this version.
XM FireLine Fabrics for IEC 61482
XM FireLine offers a range of flame-resistant fabrics suitable for garments certified under IEC 61482, including inherent and treated FR fabrics in cotton, cotton/nylon, and cotton/polyester blends. Contact us to request test reports and ATPV or Box-test data for specific fabric references.