EPEC integrates the Arcteq AQ-1000 Active Arc Quenching System as a factory-installed protection option within the switchboard assembly. The complete system includes the relay, quenching device, and point sensors, and is designed to extinguish arc faults in less than 4 milliseconds while reducing typical incident energy to below 1 cal/cm². It is suitable for both new installations and retrofit applications.
Arc Quench is an active arc flash protection option for EPEC switchboards. When an arc fault is detected, the system responds rapidly to extinguish the fault and reduce incident energy before significant equipment damage occurs. Because the system is integrated as part of the switchboard assembly, it arrives installed, wired, commissioned, and ready for operation.
Uptime Protection – fault energy eliminated before equipment damage occurs; faster return to service vs. traditional arc-resistant gear
Doors Open or Closed – active quenching protects regardless of panel access state; no dependency on enclosure integrity.
UL 891 Platform – integrated into EPEC’s 800VAC/800VDC switchboard lineup with full UL 891 listing maintained
Personnel Safety – incident energy reduced to <1 cal/cm², enabling PPE Category 0 work near energized equipment.
Factory-Integrated – EPEC installs, wires, and commissions the full Arcteq system during switchboard build; arrives ready to operate.
Site-Testable System – the only resettable LV quench device on the market; full system testing at commissioning without replacement cost
The Arc Quench system uses three coordinated components to detect, confirm, and extinguish arc faults.
AQ-1000 Arc Quenching Device
Creates a low-impedance 3-phase fault path that collapses arc voltage and extinguishes the fault in under 4 milliseconds.
AQ-110PLV Arc Flash Protection Relay
Uses dual-criteria detection based on arc light and overcurrent to identify a true arc fault and initiate the trip sequence.
Arc Flash Point Sensors
Fiber-optic point sensors are installed at high-risk locations to support rapid detection and fault localization.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Arc Extinction Time | < 4 ms |
| Typical Incident Energy | < 1 cal/cm² |
| Maximum Rated Voltage | 690 VAC |
| Short-Circuit Withstand | 100 kA (200 ms) per IEC 60947-9-1 |
| Detection Criteria | Arc light + overcurrent |
| Device Resettability | Fully resettable / site-testable |
| Installation | New build and retrofit compatible |
| EPEC Switchboard Platform | Up to 800 VAC / 800 VDC |
An arcing fault develops within the switchboard assembly.
The relay detects both the arc’s light flash and the overcurrent condition to confirm a true arc fault.
The AQ-1000 is triggered, creating a low-impedance 3-phase short that collapses the arc voltage and extinguishes the fault.
The relay sends a trip signal to the upstream breaker, and the device then resets for retesting or reuse.
Arc Initiation – An arcing fault occurs anywhere within the EPEC switchboard assembly — from a loose connection, insulation failure, or transient event.
Dual-Criteria Detection. – The AQ-110PLV relay simultaneously detects the arc’s intense light flash via fiber-optic point sensors and an overcurrent spike — confirming a genuine arc fault in microseconds.
Arc Quenched – The AQ-1000 is triggered, instantly creating a low-impedance 3-phase short that collapses the arc voltage and extinguishes the fault. Total elapsed time: less than 4 milliseconds.
Breaker Trips. – Simultaneously, the relay sends a trip signal to the upstream breaker, isolating the faulted section. The AQ-1000 resets and is ready for retesting or reuse.
Arc Quench is offered as an integrated protection option within EPEC’s switchboard platform. The system is installed, wired, and commissioned during assembly so that it arrives ready for operation. Its compatibility with both new installations and retrofit applications makes it suitable for a wide range of switchboard protection requirements.
Talk with EPEC about adding Arc Quench to a new switchboard project or evaluating it for a retrofit application.
