ElecTrain

DC Battery Incident Energy Calculator

Maximum Power Theory

For reviewing DC battery servicing scenarios where potential arc locations and current paths may be uncertain.

System inputs

Battery internal resistance (Ω)
Enter a known value or tap the heading for the helper.
Arc duration (s)
Enter a known duration or tap the heading for the helper.

Estimated results

Incident energy
1.195 cal/cm²
At 18 inches
Arc flash boundary
17.96 in
At 1.2 cal/cm²
Bolted fault current: 15,500 AEstimated arcing current: 7,750 A
Calculation method and scope

This calculator reproduces ElecTrain’s workbook formulas using maximum power theory. It represents one DC incident energy method and does not model a specific electrode configuration or compare all available DC methods.

Bolted fault current = voltage ÷ total resistance. Estimated arcing current = half of bolted fault current. Incident energy = 0.01 × location factor × voltage × arcing current × duration ÷ distance², with distance in centimeters.

The location factors follow the workbook: 1× for open air; 2× against a flat surface allowing 180° expansion; 3× inside an enclosure with energy directed outward. Their source and applicability are under review.

Review version on the redesign site. Matching the workbook does not establish applicability to a particular battery system or servicing task.

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