What factors influence the severity of an ARC Flash?

The severity of an arc flash is influenced by several key factors, including distance to contact, temperature, and the time it takes for the circuit to break.

The distance to contact is crucial because the closer a person is to the source of the arc flash, the greater the potential for injury. As the distance increases, the intensity of the thermal and radiant energy decreases, reducing the severity of any potential injuries.

Temperature plays a role as well. Higher ambient temperatures can cause materials, including personal protective equipment (PPE) and electrical components, to have lower thermal resistance, increasing the potential for burns or other injuries during an arc flash incident.

Additionally, the time for the circuit to break is significant. Faster circuit interruption can limit the energy released in an arc flash, thereby reducing the severity of the event. If the circuit breaker or fuse takes longer to trip, more thermal energy accumulates, leading to more severe consequences.

Thus, considering all these factors together greatly contributes to understanding the potential severity of an arc flash, which is why "all of the above" is the correct choice.