Case Study: a global mining firm enhances arc-flash safety and protects equipment with SEL arc-flash detection relays

Mine Discovers Arc-Flash Detection Saves Lives and Equipment

A global mining firm faced significant dangers from arc-flash hazards within its electrical equipment, a risk that was realized when a rodent triggered a major arc-flash event. To protect against such threats, they had previously partnered with Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) and installed protection relays with arc-flash detection capabilities.

By implementing SEL's arc-flash mitigation technology, including SEL-751 and SEL-710 relays, the event was safely contained. Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories' solution dramatically minimized the incident energy, which protected both personnel and equipment from devastating damage. This successful outcome heightened internal awareness of the technology's critical value and led to immediate plans for a site-wide retrofit of all remaining switchgear.