Low-voltage distribution network is characterized by complex and diverse equipment, and directly facing users. Therefore, it has relatively more safety risk factors. To improve the reliability of the power supply system, the technology of live working in the distribution network has been vigorously promoted and applied. However, the maintenance environment of low-voltage distribution network is usually relatively narrow, which is easy to cause short-circuit arc caused by human contact with live lines or equipment. In order to clarify the short-circuit arc damage characteristics of live working in low-voltage distribution network and formulate effective safety protection strategies for operators and equipment to cope with arc damage, an arc test platform for low-voltage live working is established to study the thermal damage characteristics of short-circuit arc caused by operation. According to the typical working conditions of live working in low-voltage distribution network, the experimental data of low-voltage AC and DC arc characteristics under different working environments are obtained, and the relationships between arc power, arc incident energy, measuring distance and short-circuit current are analyzed and compared. Finally, the calculation formula of arc incident energy is proposed in this paper.