Internal arcs in switchgear cause flows of hot gas between the faulty switchgear compartment and the switchgear room. Arc energy absorbers in- stalled in between have two effects on pressure development in the room, pressure reduction by heat absorption and pressure rise by increased energy input due to flow resistance. This interac- tion is investigated for boundary conditions of a typical compact substation by varying the effi- ciency of heat absorption and the value of the effective absorber opening. It is demonstrated that for certain parameter combinations the ab- sorber does not reduce overpressure.