Arc-fault circuit interrupter: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 16:48, 14 August 2024

Revision as of 23:46, 1 September 2024

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In [[Canada]] and the [[United States]], AFCI breakers have been required by the electrical codes for circuits feeding [[electrical outlet]]s in residential bedrooms since the beginning of the 21st century; the US ''[[National Electrical Code]]'' has required them to protect most residential outlets since 2014,<ref>2014 NEC(210.12)</ref> and the ''[[Canadian Electrical Code]]'' has since 2015.<ref>{{cite book |title=C22.1-15 – Canadian Electrical Code, Part I: Safety Standard for Electrical Installations |date=2015 |publisher=Canadian Standards Association |isbn=978-1-77139-718-6 |edition=23rd |page=Rules 24–724(f) & (g) |language=en |no-pp=y}}</ref>

In regions using 230&nbsp;V, the combination of higher voltage and lower load currents lead to different conditions being required to initiate an arc fault that does not either burn clear or weld to a short circuit after a short time, and there are different arc characteristics once struck. Because of this, in Western Europe (where in many countries a domestic supply may be 400V 3 phase ) and the UK (where domestically a single phase 230V supply is common), adoption is slower, and their use is optional, only being mandated in specified high risk locations. The Australian and New Zealand regulations – Wiring Rules (AS NZS 3000:2018) do not require installation of AFDDs in Australia. However, in New Zealand all final sub-circuits with ratings up to 20 &nbsp;A will require protection by an AFDD if they supply locations with significant fire risk, locations containing irreplaceable items, certain historic buildings, and socket-outlets in school sleeping accommodation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gses.com.au/wiringrulesasnzs3000/|title=Wiring Rules AS NZS 3000:2018 – Key Updates to the Standard and What They Mean for Installers|date=24 July 2018}}</ref> Most sockets in these countries are on circuits rated at 20 A or less.

In the US, arc faults are said to be one of the leading causes for residential electrical fires.<ref>{{cite journal|title=New Technology for Preventing Residential Electrical Fires: Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCIs)|journal=Fire Technology|volume=36|issue=3|publisher=Kluwer Academic Publishers|date=Aug 2000|pages=145–162|url=http://www.cpsc.gov//PageFiles/108737/AFCIFireTechnology.pdf|doi=10.1023/A:1015410726786|first1=Douglas A.|last1=Lee|first2=Andrew M.|last2=Trotta|first3=William H.|last3=King|s2cid=108941129|issn=0015-2684|access-date=Feb 26, 2013}}</ref> Each year in the United States, over 40,000 fires are attributed to home electrical wiring. These fires result in over 350 deaths and over 1,400 injuries each year.<ref>Ault, Singh, and Smith, "1996 Residential Fire Loss Estimates", October 1998, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Directorate for Epidemiology and Health Sciences.</ref>