Short Circuit Coordination & Arc Flash Studies (SCCAF)
Electrical Safety, Protection Coordination & Arc Flash Compliance for Commercial and Industrial Facilities
Short Circuit Coordination & Arc Flash (SCCAF) studies are critical power systems engineering services. They protect people, equipment, and operations from electrical faults. At Break Engineering, we deliver comprehensive SCCAF studies for commercial, industrial, and institutional facilities across Canada. Our focus is practical, constructible solutions that integrate seamlessly with your electrical system design. As a result, clients gain improved safety, code compliance, and long-term operational reliability.
What SCCAF Studies Include
We determine available fault current throughout your distribution system.
Then, we verify that switchgear, panelboards, MCCs, and protective devices have adequate interrupting and withstand ratings.
We optimize relay, breaker, and fuse settings for selective tripping.
Consequently, outages are minimized and system reliability improves.
We perform arc flash studies in accordance with CSA Z462, IEEE 1584, and NFPA 70E methodologies.
Specifically, we calculate incident energy, arc flash boundaries, and required PPE levels for qualified workers.
We provide clear reports that include:
- Updated single-line diagrams (SLDs)
- Time–current coordination curves
- Arc flash calculations
- Practical mitigation recommendations
Therefore, stakeholders receive actionable engineering guidance, not just data.
Safety, Compliance, and Codes
Our SCCAF services support compliance with the Canadian Electrical Code and National Building Code of Canada. Additionally, we align with CSA Z462, IEEE 1584, and NFPA 70E safety practices.
We help owners implement engineered safety controls. These include properly coordinated protection, documented incident energy levels, and field-applied arc flash labels.
Moreover, we ensure labels are applied to all in-scope equipment, including: switchgear, switchboards, MCCs, panelboards and control panels
As a result, facilities improve worker safety while reducing liability exposure.
Deliverables and Implementation
- Detailed SCCAF study report summarizing fault levels, device coordination results, and arc flash calculations, supported by model outputs and engineering commentary.
- Time–current coordination curves identifying optimized settings to reduce clearing times and, where feasible, lower incident energy at critical equipment.
- Arc flash labels indicating incident energy, working distance, arc flash boundary, and minimum PPE level, prepared for application on all in-scope electrical equipment.
- Practical mitigation recommendations, such as revised protection settings and equipment upgrades to balance electrical safety, reliability, and project budget.
SCCAF Study Applications
Break Engineering supports new construction, expansions, and retrofit projects.
Typical applications include: Data centers, Manufacturing plants, Food processing facilities, Water and wastewater treatment plants, Mining operations and Large commercial buildings
These facilities demand robust electrical safety and coordinated protection. Therefore, our SCCAF services ensure compliant arc flash labeling and reliable power system performance.
