Ports and container terminals operate electrical systems spanning a wide area, including medium-voltage distribution, large-scale crane drives, and hundreds of field outlets. Maintenance crews work in shifts and often under time pressure to attend to energized panels; this makes the risk of arc flash a daily part of terminal operation.

Terminal equipment that is critical in terms of arc flash.

• Dock and yard cranes: Transformers, control panels, and cable reels for cranes powered by medium voltage.
• Coastal electricity: Medium voltage connection systems supplying power to ships from the shore (IEC/IEEE 80005-1)
• Refrigerated container power outlets: numerous repetitive field distribution panels
• Transformer substations and main distribution: points where the highest short-circuit currents are observed
• Lighting poles, workshops and administrative buildings: low voltage distribution panels

Calculation approach

IEEE 1584-2018 defines incident energy calculation for three-phase AC systems at voltages between 208 V and 15 kV and frequencies of 50/60 Hz. Single-phase and DC systems are not included in the model; the standard only refers to methods in the literature (Ammerman, Das, Doan, Klement) for DC (clauses 4.11 and 4.12). Most AC switchboards at terminals fall within this range. Grouping identical field outlets as type panels shortens the study. In crane and shore power systems, manufacturer data and protection settings are particularly important, as tripping time directly determines incident energy.

Data required for a terminal study

• Terminal single-line diagram and medium-voltage distribution structure.
• Data relating to crane transformers, drive panels, and cable reel power supplies.
• Single-line diagram and protection settings of the coastal power system.
• Types and number of refrigerated container field panels
• Generator and UPS data

For general safety requirements of port electrical installations Electrical safety in marinas and ports. You can check out our page.

Reducing incident energy

The calculation results are used not only for selecting PPE but also for reducing risk at its source. The report provides panel-specific recommendations; commonly applied methods include:

• Reconfiguring protection settings to take incident energy into account.
• Fast-trip (maintenance mode) settings enabled during maintenance.
• Arc detection relays (light and current sensing)
• Remote switching and remote racking of withdrawable breakers.
• Regional selectivity (ZSI) in crane and shore power supplies.

De-energized work always comes first; energized work is permitted only when justified and under an energized electrical work permit.

The scope of AES Innovation

We conduct arc flash analysis end-to-end, including data collection, modeling, incident energy calculation, reporting, and labeling. Reports can be prepared in Turkish, English, or bilingually. For general process and pricing factors, please contact us. arc flash analysis and labeling You can check out our page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are hundreds of field sockets calculated individually?

No. Panels of the same type, powered by the same power supply and with the same protective device are grouped as type panels; a representative calculation is made for each group, and labels are printed according to the group result.

Does the coastal power system fall under this scope?

Yes. Medium-voltage shore connection systems up to 15 kV are covered by IEEE 1584-2018 and are included in the study.

Are the panels inside the cranes also labeled?

Crane power supplies and distribution panels on the crane can be included in the coverage; manufacturer data is required for the components inside the driver's cabin.