Equipment failure or an unintentional electrical breakdown or connection can generate an electric arc. Accidents like this happen and they happen fast. What you can do is try and limit the damage by protecting yourself. When working in environments where the risk of exposure to an electric arc hazard is present, you should wear protective clothing that complies to the international standard EN 61482-2. However, protection isn’t just about one strong garment, it’s about the full clothing system. By combining ARC-certified layers wisely, you can increase your safety level, enhance comfort, and adapt to changing conditions.
The guide below explains when and how combining ARC garments makes a real difference — and what to check to ensure you stay protected.
When selecting personal protective clothing to wear in multi-risk environments it is important that not only the outer shell offers the required protection. Also the layers underneath must offer extra protection in case the hazard penetrates the outer layers.
A higher level of ARC protection can be obtained by combining and wearing different ARC protective garments together. Also the air in between the different garments acts as a thermal insulator offering increased protection against the thermal effects of an ARC flash.
For garments, the arc thermal protection is obtained by evaluation of thermal parameters of the materials from which the garment is made and of the functioning of the closures and accessories. The degree of this arc thermal protection is indicated by either
the arc protection class (APC 1 or APC2)
and/or
the arc rating (ATPV, EBT or ELIM).
You can increase the level of this protection by combining different garments. The arc rating of this combination of garments however, will be higher than the sum of the separate values of the two individual garments.
Higher protection possible. Achieve elevated arc protection, by combining layers instead of relying on a single garment.
Flexibility. Adjust to weather, workplace demands, or specific tasks without sacrificing safety.
Greater wearer compliance. If an outfit is more comfortable (less bulky, better breathing, flexible), workers are more likely to wear it correctly.
Extended lifespan / cost-effectiveness. A suite of garments that can be combined lets you re-use or re-configure depending on risk levels, rather than buying one extremely protective garment for all scenarios.
To ensure your layered ARC protection works as intended, check for:
Certifications and combination approvals
Make sure all layers are certified under EN 61482-2 (or relevant equivalent).
Look for documentation or label info showing that the specific combination of those garments has been tested or validated (via the ARC Configurator).
Outer layers must be ARC rated
Never place non-ARC outerwear over ARC garments in arc-hazard situations. That could become a weak point.
Maintaining integrity
Check closures (zippers, velcro, buttons), seam integrity, cuffs/waists etc. These affect how well layers overlap and seal.
Regular cleaning, avoiding damage, ensuring reflective or FR protection aren’t compromised by wear and washing.
Fit, comfort and adaptability
Good fit ensures layers don’t shift, exposing skin.
Breathability and moisture-management under heavier layering help avoid heat stress.
