Arc Flash Testing Event · October 21–22, 2026
For years, the belief that work above 40 cal/cm² cannot be performed safely has influenced electrical safety programs, PPE decisions and workplace policies. But what does the evidence actually show? On October 21–22, SureWerx and Oberon will be conducting controlled testing to collect measurable scientific data and examine what really happens when workers face higher incident-energy hazards while wearing appropriately rated arc flash PPE.
The in-person event has reached capacity. Exclusive content from the testing will be released after the event — register now to get access.
The question
Across the electrical safety industry, 40 cal/cm² has become an important threshold — and, in some cases, a perceived limit.
But the standards themselves do not simply establish 40 cal/cm² as the maximum level at which work can occur.
So where did that perception come from? What does the science tell us? And what role can appropriately selected PPE play when incident energy exceeds 40 cal/cm²?
We’re going to test it.
Rather than rely on assumptions, this event will bring together independent scientific expertise, electrical safety professionals and controlled arc flash testing to collect measurable evidence and examine the issue firsthand.
Meet the experts
Scientific Lead
Dr. Lloyd B. Gordon is an electrical engineer and electrical safety specialist and former Chief Electrical Safety Officer at Los Alamos National Laboratory. His research focuses on high-energy electrical systems, arc physics and electrical shock. He is an IEEE Life Senior Member.
Senior Director, Arc Flash & Technical Services, SureWerx
Jim Pollard is Senior Director, Arc Flash & Technical Services at SureWerx, with more than 20 years in workplace electrical safety. He is Vice Chair of the CSA Z462 committee and specializes in arc flash mitigation and protective equipment.
What happens afterwards
Following the event, SureWerx will turn the findings into exclusive educational resources for electrical safety professionals, trainers, consultants and organizations responsible for electrical safety programs — including a closer look at how the testing was conducted and measured.
What you’ll see
Footage from a previous SureWerx and Oberon controlled arc flash test, showing how an arc event is staged, captured and measured. Below it is a first look from this month’s lab: calibration on Day 0, before testing began. The full test footage is exclusive to registrants.
Warning: this video contains bright flashes of light.
Why we’re doing this
At SureWerx, innovation isn’t just about developing new products. It’s about understanding the hazards workers face, challenging assumptions and testing solutions against real-world conditions.
Through Oberon and our technical partners, we’ve conducted extensive arc flash testing to deepen our understanding of electrical hazards and the performance of protective equipment.
This event is another step in that commitment: bringing science, testing and industry expertise together to help advance electrical safety education.
Shop Oberon arc flash PPEInnovation means understanding the hazard, challenging the assumption and testing the solution.
Good to know
On October 21–22, 2026, SureWerx and Oberon are conducting controlled arc flash testing to collect measurable scientific data on what happens when workers wearing appropriately rated arc flash PPE face incident energy above 40 cal/cm².
No. The in-person testing event has reached capacity. You can register for exclusive access to the content released after the event, including the case study, scientific findings and test footage.
Register using the form on this page. Once the exclusive content is released after the event, we’ll email you access to it.
Dr. Lloyd Gordon, PhD, former Chief Electrical Safety Officer at Los Alamos National Laboratory, is the scientific lead. He is joined by Jim Pollard, Senior Director, Arc Flash & Technical Services at SureWerx and Vice Chair of the CSA Z462 committee.
SureWerx will release a case study, scientific findings, expert interviews, high-speed test footage, educational videos and a white paper. This content is exclusive to registrants — everyone who registers on this page receives access.
No. Registration is free.
Two days of controlled arc flash testing above 40 cal/cm², led by science. October 21–22, 2026. Register now for exclusive access to the results.
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