Q1: What’s the difference between arc flash and arc blast?

Arc flash is the electrical discharge; arc blast is the pressure wave and shrapnel caused by the explosion.

Q2: Is arc flash compliance part of NERC audits?

While not a NERC standard by itself, arc flash analysis is often part of broader reliability and safety assessments, particularly during substation or transmission upgrades.

Q3: How often should arc flash studies be updated?

Typically every 5 years or whenever major electrical system changes occur.

What is Arc Flash? | Arc Flash Causes, Assistance & Prevention Strategies

A Coordinated Electric System Interconnection Review—the utility’s deep-dive on technical and cost impacts of your project.

Q1: What’s the difference between arc flash and arc blast?
Arc flash is the electrical discharge; arc blast is the pressure wave and shrapnel caused by the explosion.
Q2: Is arc flash compliance part of NERC audits?
While not a NERC standard by itself, arc flash analysis is often part of broader reliability and safety assessments, particularly during substation or transmission upgrades.
Q3: How often should arc flash studies be updated?
Typically every 5 years or whenever major electrical system changes occur.

In 1995, Sonny Patel earned his Electrical Engineering degree from the University of Illinois. But degrees don't build legacies — action does.

For three decades, he has worked the power industry from every side of the table: 16 years as a utility engineer at Exelon/Commonwealth Edison; generation leadership across hydroelectric, industrial steam turbine, and a 9 GW renewable fleet; NERC Regional Entity Senior Compliance Engineer and Audit Team Lead, auditing some of the nation's largest utilities; and testing and commissioning lead on equipment up to 765 kV — the very top of the North American grid.Utility. Generator. Regulator. Consultant. Few engineers have seen all four seats. Fewer still have sat in them.

His experience spans nuclear, hydro, conventional generation, renewables, oil and gas, mining — and today's data centers, where he is authoring a three-book series on data center design. He is a Licensed Professional Engineer in six states and a Licensed Electrical Contractor in Florida (Unlimited EC) — he doesn't just design the work; he's qualified to stand behind its execution.Today, as Founder and CEO of Keentel Engineering, Sonny leads a nationwide team of engineers delivering substation design, power system studies, NERC compliance, and commissioning — done right, coast to coast.Three decades. Every side of the table. One standard: accountable engineering.

In 1995, Sonny Patel earned his Electrical Engineering degree from the University of Illinois. But degrees don't build legacies — action does.

Utility. Generator. Regulator. Consultant. Few engineers have seen all four seats. Fewer still have sat in them.

Today, as Founder and CEO of Keentel Engineering, Sonny leads a nationwide team of engineers delivering substation design, power system studies, NERC compliance, and commissioning — done right, coast to coast.Three decades. Every side of the table. One standard: accountable engineering.