Arc-fault circuit interrupter: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 19:52, 8 October 2021

Revision as of 17:25, 9 November 2021

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===United Kingdom===

In the UK, the [[BS 7671|Wiring Regulations]] 18^th18th edition (BS 7671:2018) is the first edition to make any mention of arc fault devices, and indicate they may be installed if the design has an unusually high risk of fire from arc faults. The annexes relating to testing indicate than when AFDDs are installed, their correct operation must be verified before completion, but the method of testing is not described. This is in contrast to [[Residual-current device|RCDs]] where a number of trip times at different fault current levels must be verified.<ref>{{cite web |title=IET website wiring matters|url=https://electrical.theiet.org/wiring-matters/issues/71/}}</ref>

===Germany===

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AFCIs are also known to be sensitive (false tripping) to the presence of radio frequency energy, especially within the so-called ''[[high frequency]]'' (HF) spectrum (3-30&nbsp;MHz), which includes legitimate [[Shortwave radio|shortwave broadcasting]], over-the-horizon aircraft and marine communications, [[amateur radio]], and [[citizens band radio]] operations. Sensitivities and mitigation have been known since 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-helps-manufacturer-to-resolve-arc-fault-circuit-interrupter-rfi-problems |title=ARRL Helps Manufacturer to Resolve Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter RFI Problems |website=Arrl.org |date=2013-11-19 |access-date=2017-03-28}}</ref>

AFCI circuit breakers include a standard inverse-time circuit breaker but provide no specific protection against "glowing" connections (also known as a [[high resistance connection]]), high line voltages, or low line voltages.

An AFCI does not detect high line voltage caused by an open neutral in a [[multiwire branch circuit]]. A multiwire branch circuit uses both energized wires of a 120-240 V [[split phase]] service. If the neutral is broken along the return path to the circuit breaker panel, devices connected from a 120&nbsp;V leg to the neutral may experience excess voltage, up to twice normal.