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Manufacturer's Article

New NR 10 and arc flash calculation in photovoltaic systems using Ampère software.

Article highlights the role of electrical analyses in accident prevention, worker protection, and regulatory compliance.

New NR 10 and Arc Flash calculation in photovoltaic systems using Ampère software

Photo: Magnificent

The landscape of electrical safety in Brazil has changed drastically with the publication of MTE Ordinance No. 737, which reformulated NR 10. Now, with a total focus on Occupational Risk Management (GRO/PGR), it has become mandatory to index all calculation records and protection studies directly to the risks of each sector.

In this new scenario, electrical analyses cease to be merely a design step and begin to play a fundamental role in accident prevention, worker protection, and compliance with regulatory requirements.

In response to this demand, Electro Graphics' Ampère software offers essential resources for developing short-circuit, protection, and arc flash studies for electrical systems and photovoltaic plants.

Source: Eletcro Graphics (Hiper Energy)

Integration with SOLergo software

Those already using SOLergo – a well-established software for the technical and economic sizing of photovoltaic systems – have a strategic advantage. After modeling the entire plant and defining arrays, inverters, and cabling in SOLergo, the designer can export the project directly to Ampère.

Within Ampère, the entire electrical structure of the solar plant is instantly recognized, allowing for automated short-circuit studies, protection selectivity assessments, and arc flash analysis without rework.

Source: Electro Graphics (Hiper Energy)

Direct modeling in Ampère

If you're not already using SOLergo, there are no barriers. Ampère is a standalone software. You can manually enter the electrical data and parameters of the photovoltaic system (modules, inverters, strings) directly into its interface. From there, the software performs all the simulations necessary for compliance with NR 10 with surgical precision.

How does Ampère Software meet the requirements of the new NR 10?

Below, see how Ampère's features directly address the demands of MTE Ordinance 737/2026 as applied to the photovoltaic and industrial market:

Source: Electro Graphics (Hiper Energy)

1. Fine-tuning of protection and energy minimization.

To meet the requirement of selecting "very short interruption times," Ampère allows the Coordination and Selectivity Study to be performed visually.

When a circuit breaker or fuse setting is changed on the time-current curve, the software instantly recalculates the resulting incident energy for that operating time. This helps refine the protection to reduce the cal/cm² level to the lowest possible level, ensuring the safety of Operation and Maintenance technicians.

Source: Electro Graphics (Hiper Energy)

2. Technical sizing of clothing and PPE

Avoid underprotecting workers or overspending. With Ampère reports, you can precisely specify the required clothing category and minimum ATPV for each medium-voltage panel, string box, or cubicle in your solar plant.

Source: Electro Graphics (Hiper Energy)

3. Automatic printing of signage labels

The software automatically generates print-ready Arc Flash warning labels containing the calculated incident energy, safety boundaries (approach limits), and recommended PPE. It's engineering delivering a practical solution for the field.

Source: Electro Graphics (Hiper Energy)

Quantifiable security is the new standard.

Given the requirements of the new NR 10 standard, designing or approving photovoltaic plants without a robust arc flash study compromises regulatory compliance and the technical accuracy of the solar plant.

The combined use of SOLergo and Ampère, or the direct use of Ampère, elevates the level of your solar projects. More than just delivering diagrams and reports, you'll be providing quantifiable security, ensuring that your clients' photovoltaic plants operate protected by cutting-edge engineering.

The opinions and information expressed are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position of the author. Canal Solar.

Electro Graphics
About the Author
Electro Graphics

Founded in 1990, Electro Graphics develops software for electrical engineering, photovoltaic and industrial automation projects.

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