Arc Detection Circuit Breaker

What are arc fault detection devices.

Arc detection circuit breaker.

When a nail punctures a wire behind the wall or a wire nut loosens and a small electrical current begins to build up heat. A slow leak typically occurs when wiring is compromised but not completely shorted i e. Although current sensing circuitry enables afcis to detect arcing conditions unintended trickles of current may also cause the breaker to shut off afcis are very sensitive. Combination afci protection is required by the nec as of january 1 2020.

You may even recognize these arc fault circuit interrupter breakers with their visible test button in your circuit breaker panel. Arc fault circuit breaker afci breaker is the latest arc fault detection device its main function is to detect and identify dangerous earthing arc faults parallel arc faults and series arc faults and to drive the device operation that cut off current timely to avoid electrical fires. An arc fault circuit breaker differs from a gfci in that it detects slow electrical leaks. An arc fault circuit interrupter afci also known as an arc fault detection device afdd is a circuit breaker that breaks the circuit when it detects an electric arc in the circuit it protects to prevent electrical fires.

Breaker afci and gfci protection. A conventional circuit breaker isn t sensitive enough to detect electricity arcing through the air while the arc is still too small to ignite a fire. Afdds are protective devices installed in consumer units to provide protection from arc faults. An afci selectively distinguishes between a harmless arc incidental to normal operation of switches plugs and brushed motors and a potentially dangerous arc that can.

For total interruption of current the circuit breaker it is essential to quench the arc as quickly as possible. Afcis are designed to sense an arc which is an electrical leak caused when a hot wire touches a neutral or ground but doesn t trigger the circuit breaker. An afci can be used in conjunction with gfci protection to provide both arcing fault protection as well as 5ma ground. This series arc detection is beneficial to detect lower level arcing in both branch circuits and power supply cords.