What term describes the thermal energy resulting in a burn to a worker in an arc-fault event?

The term that describes the thermal energy resulting in a burn to a worker in an arc-fault event is incident energy. Incident energy refers specifically to the amount of thermal energy that is released during an arc flash event and the energy that a worker could be exposed to at a certain distance from the arc. This energy is a critical factor in assessing the risk of burns, as it quantifies the severity of the thermal effects generated by the electrical fault.

In the context of electrical safety, understanding incident energy is important for determining the necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) and safe working distances from energized equipment. This measurement helps inform safety protocols and protective measures in order to safeguard workers from potential burns and thermal injuries when working in environments where arc faults could occur.