An apparatus comprising: an arc mitigating device to divert energy associated with an arc flash event away from a fault location; the arc mitigating device comprising: a first plasma generation device; a second plasma generation device; and a conduit configured to direct plasma between said first and second plasma generation devices, said first plasma generation device includes: a first electrode; a base electrode that is spaced apart from said first electrode; characterized in a second electrode that opposes and is spaced apart from said base electrode; a high voltage, low current energy source configured to generate a potential difference between said first electrode and said base electrode sufficient to cause breakdown of air therebetween, a low voltage, high current energy source connected between said second electrode and said base electrode, said second and base electrodes being disposed so as to induce breakdown of air therebetween when an arc exists between said first and base electrodes to divert the energy associated with the arc flash event away from the fault location to the arc mitigating device; and wherein said second plasma generation device includes: a pair of opposing and spaced apart electrodes (144a, 144b); and a low voltage, high current energy source connected between said pair of opposing electrodes. an arc mitigating device to divert energy associated with an arc flash event away from a fault location; the arc mitigating device comprising: a first plasma generation device; a second plasma generation device; and a conduit configured to direct plasma between said first and second plasma generation devices, said first plasma generation device includes: a first electrode; a base electrode that is spaced apart from said first electrode; characterized in a second electrode that opposes and is spaced apart from said base electrode; a high voltage, low current energy source configured to generate a potential difference between said first electrode and said base electrode sufficient to cause breakdown of air therebetween, a low voltage, high current energy source connected between said second electrode and said base electrode, said second and base electrodes being disposed so as to induce breakdown of air therebetween when an arc exists between said first and base electrodes to divert the energy associated with the arc flash event away from the fault location to the arc mitigating device; and wherein said second plasma generation device includes: a pair of opposing and spaced apart electrodes (144a, 144b); and a low voltage, high current energy source connected between said pair of opposing electrodes. a first plasma generation device; a second plasma generation device; and a conduit configured to direct plasma between said first and second plasma generation devices, said first plasma generation device includes: a first electrode; a base electrode that is spaced apart from said first electrode; a first electrode; a base electrode that is spaced apart from said first electrode; a second electrode that opposes and is spaced apart from said base electrode; a high voltage, low current energy source configured to generate a potential difference between said first electrode and said base electrode sufficient to cause breakdown of air therebetween, a pair of opposing and spaced apart electrodes (144a, 144b); and a low voltage, high current energy source connected between said pair of opposing electrodes.