2008年3月20日消息，施耐德電氣公司北美運營部宣布將支持IEEE和NFPA關于火花弧的合作研究，將捐贈50萬美元，是此次合作研究的鉑金級贊助商。此捐贈將幫助擴展電弧現象的知識，加強工作人員的安全。 施耐德電氣政府關系及行業副總裁Jim Pauley說：“施耐德電氣對于火花弧研究的貢獻，不但在改善電氣標準方面起到作用，還在保護工人安全方面起到了作用。我們相信此項目將產生我們進一步了解火花弧現象所必需的數據，擁有此數據將幫助我們設計更安全的部件，為安全維護電氣設備提供更好的指導方針。” 火花弧是電流穿過空氣時，帶電導體之間的絕緣體或隔離裝置已不能抵擋應用電壓而產生的一種現象。火花出現時間很短暫，卻能導致嚴重的損傷。根據IEEE的調查，每年發生的次數是2000多倍，受傷工作人員需進入因火花弧引起的燒傷治療中心 IEEE標準協會技術委員會主管Sue Vogel說：“我們很高興施耐德電氣能贊助此次火花弧研究項目，來自施耐德的貢獻將幫助加速此研究項目，保證解決方案在應用之后能夠保證更多的生命安全。” IEEE 和NFPA已經將各自的力量聯合起來，為研究提供資金和技術支持來，通過測試決定更準確的火花弧危險籌等級，保護電工的安全。 關于IEEEE IEEE是一個非營利性科技學會，擁有全球近160個國家三十七萬多名會員。透過多元化的會員，該組織在太空、計算機、電信、生物醫學、電力及消費性電子產品等領域中都是主要的權威。在電氣及電子工程、計算機及控制技術領域中，IEEE 發表的文獻占了全球將近百分之三十，開發近900個工業標準，IEEE每年也會主辦或協辦四百五十多項技術會議。 關于IEEE-SA IEEE專門設有IEEE標準化委員會IEEE-SA（IEEE Standard Association），IEEE-SA是全球認可的標準設定機構，已經開發了多項標準。這些標準的設定都是基于現行科學技術之上的。IEEE-SA投資了870多個標準，有近400多個標準在開發中。 關于美國國家防火協會 美國國家防火協會（National Fire Protection Association ，NFPA）成立于1896年，該協會是一個國際性的技術與教育組織，擁有150個學會，下設162個技術委員會及其分會。NFPA的目的是旨在促進防火科學的發展，改進消防技術與預防方法，組織情報交流，建立防護設備，減少由于火災造成的生命財產的損失。 [FONT=times] original text [/FONT] [font=times][Color=#708090]PALATINE, Ill. March 20, 2008 — The Schneider Electric North American Operating Division today announced a $500,000 contribution to become a Platinum Level sponsor of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers （IEEE） and the National Fire Protection Association （NFPA） Arc Flash Collaborative Research Project. The donation will help expand the knowledge of the electric arc phenomena and enhance worker safety through advances in the codes and standards relating to safe employee work pr actices. “Schneider Electric’s contribution toward Arc Flash research aligns with its commitment to improving electrical standards and ongoing initiatives to protect worker safety,” said Jim Pauley, vice president, industry and government relations for Schneider Electric. “We believe this project will produce the data necessary to further our understanding of the arc flash phenomena, which will help us design safer components and provide better guidelines for safely maintaining electrical equipment.” An arc flash is an electric current that is passed through air when insulation or isolation between electrified conductors is no longer sufficient to withstand the applied voltage. The flash is immediate, and the results can cause severe injury. According to IEEE research, more than 2,000 times per year, workers are admitted to burn centers for treatment of extended injuries caused by arc flash. “We are very excited to welcome Schneider Electric as a sponsor of the Arc Flash project,” said Sue Vogel, director, Technical Committee Programs for the IEEE Standards Association. “Its contribution will help speed the work of this project and ensure a solution that will help save lives.” The IEEE and the NFPA have joined forces to fund and support research and testing to better define arc flash hazards and protect electrical workers. The results of this collaborative project will provide information to improve electrical safety standards, predict the hazards associated with arching faults and accompanying arc blasts, and provide practical safeguards for employees in the workplace. The multiyear project is estimated to cost $6.5 million. About the IEEE The IEEE （Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.） is the world’s largest technical professional society. Through its more than 370,000 members in 160 countries, the organization is a leading authority on a wide variety of areas ranging from aerospace systems, computers and telecommunications to biomedical engineering, electric power and consumer electronics. Dedicated to the advancement of technology, the IEEE publishes 30 percent of the world’s literature in the electrical and electronics engineering and computer science fields, and has developed nearly 900 active industry standards. The organization also sponsors or co-sponsors over 450 international technical conferences each year. About the IEEE Standards Association The IEEE Standards Association, a globally recognized standards-setting body, develops consensus standards through an open process that brings diverse parts of industry together. These standards set specifications and procedures based on current scientific and technological consensus. The IEEE-SA has a portfolio of over 870 active standards and more than 400 standards under development. About the National Fire Protection Association The National Fire Protection Association has been a worldwide leader in providing fire, electrical, building, and life safety to the public since 1896. The mission of the international nonprofit organization is to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on the quality of life by providing and advocating consensus codes and standards, research, training, and education.[/color][/font]