The New EN 61482-2 Standard - ELIM

Are you aware of the new Electric Arc legislation coming into effect in 2025?

Does your current PPE adhere to the new ELIM standards?

Unsure about what this means for you, your team, or your company?

Is your risk assessment still based on ATPV or EBT protection?

 

WHY IS ELIM REQUIRED?

ELIM (Incident Energy Limit, cal/cm²), lets the user know how much energy the protective clothing can withstand without any risk (or 0% probability) of a second degree burn. ELIM is a more accurate and straight forward measurement which allows wearers to determine the arc protection capabilities of their PPE.

What is the difference between ELIM & ATPV/EBT?

ELIM indicates an energy value at 0% probability of a second degree burn and ATPV/EBT at 50% probability, the ELIM value is usually lower than ATPV/EBT. However, this does not mean that the level of protection is any less, it means the accuracy of the performance in an area of arc flash risk is more reliable.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU?

At the beginning of 2025, the transitionary period for garments conforming to EN 61482-2:2020 ceases for APTV testing (50% chance of a second degree burn) and all garments must be certified for ELIM.
If you are an end user, health and safety manager, in procurement or a distributor, this means all arc garments currently being worn or supplied must have an ELIM arc rating.

HOW IS ARC FLASH PROTECTIVE GARMENT TESTING CONDUCTED?

When it comes to ensuring safety against arc flash hazards, testing garments to EN 61482-2 standards is essential. This standard incorporates two primary test methods:

1.Box Test - EN 61482-1-2

This method provides a pass or fail result according to Arc Protection Class (APC) 1 or 2. It simulates an arc flash within a confined space to assess the garment's protection level. This test method is not mandatory however, open arc test is.

2.Open Arc Test - IEC 61482-1-1

This test method is more intense  and involves two stages of the testing process to get an accurate value:

Stage 1: A medium arc voltage (> 1000V) is directed at a fabric sample. The heat transfer is measured to determine the incident energy at which a person would sustain a second-degree burn.

Stage 2: The energy level identified in the first stage is then applied to the protective clothing. The results are plotted on a Stoll Curve to calculate the probability of a second-degree burn.

The outcome includes the ELIM (Incident Energy Limit, cal/cm²), which indicates the maximum energy the protective clothing can withstand without any risk (0% probability) of causing a second-degree burn. This is different to the older ATPV testing as this is given a cal rating based on 50% probability of a second degree burn.

Understanding these test methods is crucial for selecting the right protective clothing to ensure the safety of your team in arc flash environments.

Get in touch for more information or to book a meeting to see how Impact can help you stay compliant -  marketing@impact-workwear.co.uk