An arc flash detector comprising: a light sensor; a light attenuating filter in communication with the light sensor; a housing disposed to support the light attenuating filter and the light sensor; and a logic circuit in communication with the light sensor; and characterized in that: the light attenuating filter is disposed to reduce the intensity of ambient light received by the light sensor by a predetermined percentage; the light attenuating filter is disposed to pass a predetermined level of light from an arc flash event, the predetermined level of light from an arc flash event being a level needed to effect saturation of the light sensor; the housing is disposed to retain the light sensor and the light attenuating filter at a fixed orientation; the light sensor is configured to send an output signal to the logic circuit if the attenuated ambient light and arc flash light is of sufficient intensity to saturate the light sensor, and the logic circuit is disposed to receive the output signal of the light sensor and responsive to a predetermined level of light received by the light sensor, disposed to compare the output signal to a predetermined value, and disposed to produce an output signal linked to an arc flash event if the output signal of the light sensor exceeds the predetermined value. a light sensor; a light attenuating filter in communication with the light sensor; a housing disposed to support the light attenuating filter and the light sensor; and a logic circuit in communication with the light sensor; and characterized in that: the light attenuating filter is disposed to reduce the intensity of ambient light received by the light sensor by a predetermined percentage; the light attenuating filter is disposed to pass a predetermined level of light from an arc flash event, the predetermined level of light from an arc flash event being a level needed to effect saturation of the light sensor; the housing is disposed to retain the light sensor and the light attenuating filter at a fixed orientation; the light sensor is configured to send an output signal to the logic circuit if the attenuated ambient light and arc flash light is of sufficient intensity to saturate the light sensor, and the logic circuit is disposed to receive the output signal of the light sensor and responsive to a predetermined level of light received by the light sensor, disposed to compare the output signal to a predetermined value, and disposed to produce an output signal linked to an arc flash event if the output signal of the light sensor exceeds the predetermined value. the light attenuating filter is disposed to reduce the intensity of ambient light received by the light sensor by a predetermined percentage; the light attenuating filter is disposed to pass a predetermined level of light from an arc flash event, the predetermined level of light from an arc flash event being a level needed to effect saturation of the light sensor; the housing is disposed to retain the light sensor and the light attenuating filter at a fixed orientation; the light sensor is configured to send an output signal to the logic circuit if the attenuated ambient light and arc flash light is of sufficient intensity to saturate the light sensor, and the logic circuit is disposed to receive the output signal of the light sensor and responsive to a predetermined level of light received by the light sensor, disposed to compare the output signal to a predetermined value, and disposed to produce an output signal linked to an arc flash event if the output signal of the light sensor exceeds the predetermined value.