Overview
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is worn to minimize hazardous exposure and injuries when other engineering and institutional controls have failed. It is used across a variety of industries and provides a barrier to help protect those wearing it.
Connectors and other overhead line components operate at high temperatures to meet the ever-increasing load growth of existing and future electrical systems. This elevated temperature can accelerate the aging process of these components, making the issue of lifetime performance a critical concern. It is important to ensure these components are operating reliably to avoid downed lines and extensive disruption of power to customers.
Located in Louisville, KY, our new facility, staffed by industry experts, brings together ArcWear’s newly expanded PPE testing services and an overhead line component testing service division to meet the highest standards of safety and performance.
This expanded facility provides specialized testing and problem-solving services to support the electrical industry around the world. With specialized equipment and our team’s active participation in standards development, our lab is a research hub for new innovations in PPE clothing and goes beyond conventional standard testing. Our advanced methodologies deliver meaningful results and reliable information, helping you make informed decisions and improve your PPE products.
Our new facility also specializes in the testing of overhead and substation connectors. This includes the performance of electrical, thermal and mechanical type tests while meeting a variety of industry standards to help utilities understand the present condition and health of their valuable assets. These services are designed to provide timely solutions, helping you avoid costly disruptions and potential hazards to your business.
Why Us?
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Increased Capacity
Our expanded facility increases capacity to manage a higher volume of testing and inspections, meeting the growing demand in the U.S. This ensures faster service, reduced wait times, and enhanced efficiency for our clients
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Tailored PPE Testing Excellence
Ensure regulatory compliance and uphold the highest safety standards with our comprehensive PPE testing at one of the top labs in the United States. With the capability to create tailored tests for any apparel, we help you reduce the risk of accidents and liabilities effectively.
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US-Based Overhead Line Testing Lab
With state-of-the-art testing, accelerated timelines, and expert analysis, we ensure your overhead lines meet the highest standards, reducing downtime and maintenance costs. Our new overhead line lab in the U.S. leverages our extensive experience offering these services and operating the same type of facilities in Canada.
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Supply Chain Reliability
By diversifying our geographic locations, we've strengthened supply chain resilience, reducing dependency on cross-border logistics. This minimizes delays, ensures reliable service, and enhances operational flexibility.
Technical Abilities
PPE Testing Services
We offer high-quality PPE testing services, including certification testing in partnership with Safety Equipment Institute (SEI), UL Solutions (UL), and utilizing a variety of international standard test methods from ASTM International, ISO/IEC, ANSI/ISEA, to AATCC.
Some of the PPE we test includes:
- Arc flash PPE
- Flash fire protective clothing (National Fire Protection Association (NFPA 2112)
- Firefighter PPE (NFPA 1971, NFPA 1977, NFPA 1951)
- High visibility safety apparel (ANSI/ISEA 107)
- Protective glove classification (ANSI/ISEA 105)
Overhead Line Component Testing
Our facility provides complete testing services for overhead connectors and other hardware, including Current Cycling and Heat Cycling Tests to ANSI and other international standards.
Our in-lab/in-field testing will be able to assist clients with the following services:
- Current cycle test (ANSI C119.4 and ANSI C119.7)
- Aged conductor/static wire assessment
- Testing services for transmission and substation connectors
- LineVue® deployment for steel core corrosion assessment
- In-situ X-ray equipment for detailed inspections
- Robust vibration monitoring of towers and conductors
Training Services
If you need training on certification, arc flash testing, flame, thermal or textile testing, we offer webinars and have experts that will help answer all your questions and provide insights on how testing works, what standards are required, and how to meet the proper levels of PPE certification for the US, the EU and other markets.
Consulting Services
Our experience and expertise enables us to help you with product development, standards interpretation, and legal consultation. To supplement the testing services, we provide a range of consulting options. Whether you require product development, or an ongoing monthly retainer that provides access to our experts, we can support your consulting needs.
Our Proven Experience
Quality Assurance & Technical Standards
- AATCC TM133 (2020)
- Test Method for Colorfastness to Heat: Hot Pressing
- AATCC TM135 (2018)
- Test Method for Dimensional Changes of Fabrics after Home Laundering
- AATCC TM15 (2021)
- Test Method for Colorfastness to Perspiration
- AATCC TM16.3 (2020)
- Test Method for Colorfastness to Light: Xenon-Arc
- AATCC TM61 Method 2A (2020)
- Colorfastness to Laundering: Accelerated
- AATCC TM8 (2016)
- COLORFASTNESS TO CROCKING: CROCKMETER METHOD
- ANSI C119.0 (2015)
- Testing Methods And Equipment Common To The ANSI C119 Family Of Standards
- ANSI C119.4 (2016)
- American National Standard for Electric Connectors—Connectors for Use Between Aluminum-to-Aluminum and Aluminum-to-Copper Conductors Designed for Normal Operation at or Below 93°C and Copper-to-Copper
- ANSI/ISEA 105 (2016)
- American National Standard For Hand Protection Classification
- ANSI/ISEA 107 (2020)
- American National Standard For High-Visibility Safety Apparel
- ANSI/ISEA 203 (2018)
- American National Standard for Secondary Flame Resistant Protection Clothing for Use Over Primary Flame Resistant Clothing
- ASTM D1117 (2001)
- Standard Guide for Evaluating Nonwoven Fabrics
- ASTM D1424 (2021)
- Standard Test Method for Tearing Strength of Fabrics by Falling-Pendulum (Elmendorf-Type) Apparatus
- ASTM D1683 (2022)
- Standard Test Method for Failure in Sewn Seams of Woven Fabrics
- ASTM D2261 (2017)
- Standard Test Method for Tearing Strength of Fabrics by the Tongue (Single Rip) Procedure (Constant-Rate-of-Extension Tensile Testing Machine)
- ASTM D3389 (2021)
- Standard Test Method for Coated Fabrics Abrasion Resistance (Rotary Platform Abrader)
- ASTM D3393 (2014)
- Standard Specification for Coated Fabrics—Waterproofness
- ASTM D3776 (2020)
- Standard Test Methods for Mass Per Unit Area (Weight) of Fabric
- ASTM D3786 (2018)
- Standard Test Method for Bursting Strength of Textile Fabrics—Diaphragm Bursting Strength Tester Method
- ASTM D3787 (2020)
- Standard Test Method for Bursting Strength of Textiles—Constant-Rate-of-Traverse (CRT) Ball Burst Test
- ASTM D3884 (2017)
- Standard Guide for Abrasion Resistance of Textile Fabrics (Rotary Platform, Double-Head Method)
- ASTM D5034 (2021)
- Standard Test Method for Breaking Strength and Elongation of Textile Fabrics (Grab Test)
- ASTM D5587 (2019)
- Standard Test Method for Tearing Strength of Fabrics by Trapezoid Procedure
- ASTM D5733 (1999)
- Standard Test Method for Tearing Strength of Nonwoven Fabrics by the Trapezoid Procedure
- ASTM D6413 (2015)
- Standard Test Method for Flame Resistance of Textiles (Vertical Test)
- ASTM D6797 (2015)
- Standard Test Method for Bursting Strength of Fabrics Constant-Rate-of-Extension (CRE) Ball Burst Test
- ASTM D7138 (2016)
- Standard Test Method to Determine Melting Temperature of Synthetic Fibers (Method B only)
- ASTM D751 (2019)
- Standard Test Methods for Coated Fabrics
- ASTM F1358 (2020)
- Standard Test Method for Effects of Flame Impingement on Materials Used in Protective Clothing Not Designated Primarily for Flame Resistance
- ASTM F1506 (2020)
- Standard Performance Specification for Flame Resistant and Electric Arc Rated Protective Clothing Worn by Workers Exposed to Flames and Electric Arcs
- ASTM F2700 (2020)
- Standard Test Method for Unsteady-State Heat Transfer Evaluation of Flame-Resistant Materials for Clothing with Continuous Heating
- ASTM F2878 (2019)
- Standard Test Method for Protective Clothing Material Resistance to Hypodermic Needle Puncture
- ASTM F2894 (2021)
- Standard Test Method for Evaluation of Materials, Protective Clothing, and Equipment for Heat Resistance Using a Hot Air Circulating Oven
- ASTM F2992 (2015)
- Standard Test Method for Measuring Cut Resistance of Materials Used in Protective Clothing with Tomodynamometer (TDM-100) Test Equipment
- ASTM F3258 (2021)
- Standard Specification for Protectors for Rubber Insulating Gloves Meeting Specific Performance Requirements
- ASTM F3502 (2021)
- Standard Specification for Barrier Face Coverings
- BS EN ISO 20471 (2016)
- High visibility clothing. Test methods and requirements
- CSA C57-2016 (2016)
- Electric Power Connectors For Use In Overhead Line Conductors
- CSA Z96 (2022)
- High-Visibility Safety Apparel
- EN 388 (2018)
- Protective gloves against mechanical risks
- IEC 61238-1-1:2018 (2018)
- Compression and mechanical connectors for power cables - Part 1-1: Test methods and requirements for compression and mechanical connectors for power cables for rated voltages up to 1 kV (Um = 1,2 kV) tested on non-insulated conductors
- IEC 61284 (1997)
- Overhead Lines - Requirements and Tests for Fittings
- IEEE 837 (2014)
- IEEE Standard for Qualifying Permanent Connections Used in Substation Grounding
- ISO 6336 (2021)
- Textiles - Domestic washing and drying procedures for textile testing
- ISO 9001
- Quality Management System
- ISO 13997 (1999)
- Protective clothing - Mechanical properties - Determination of resistance to cutting by sharp objects
- ISO 17025 (2017)
- Testing & Calibration Laboratories
- ISO 17492 (2019)
- Clothing for protection against heat and flame — Determination of heat transmission on exposure to both flame and radiant heat
- ISO 17493 (2016)
- Clothing and equipment for protection against heat — Test method for convective heat resistance using a hot air circulating oven
- NFPA 1971 (2018)
- Standard on Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting
- NFPA 1975 (2019)
- Standard on Emergency Services Work Apparel
- NFPA 1977 (2022)
- Standard on Protective Clothing and Equipment for Wildland Fire Fighting and Urban Interface Fire Fighting
- NFPA 2112 (2018)
- Standard on Flame-Resistant Clothing for Protection of Industrial Personnel Against Short-Duration Thermal Exposures from Fire
- Utility Specification
- Custom test to meet specifications of utilities