PowaArc® is used to provide guidance on the arc fault containment capability of switchboards. The calculation methodologies used are based on a combination of theoretical physical laws, empirically derived rules and calibrations against case studies. The output of this tool is a likelihood rating of possible switchboard failure due to an arcing fault, for use in risk assessments. The terms used for panel and fixing tensile rupture risks are:
- Low – meaning that all panel and fixing stresses are calculated to be below yield strength values
- Medium – meaning that the panel or fixing stress is calculated to be between the yield strength and ultimate tensile strength values.
- High – meaning that the panel or fixing stress is calculated to be above ultimate tensile strength value.