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Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters

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Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters

“All 120-volt, single phase, 15 and 20-ampere branch circuits supplying

outlets installed in dwelling unit family rooms, dining rooms, living rooms,

parlors, libraries, dens, bedrooms, sunrooms, recreation rooms, closets,

hallways, or similar rooms or areas shall be protected by a listed arc-fault

circuit interrupter, combination-type, installed to provide protection of the

branch circuit.”

NEC 210.12 Requirements

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Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters

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What Is It?

• Circuit breaker monitoring current flow

• Designed to distinguish between normal and

dangerous arcing conditions

• Trips during an arc fault, avoiding the high currents

that can cause sparking and fires

• What is an arc fault?

• Power discharge between two conductors

• High current = high temperatures = fire

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Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters

1. Arc fault

2. Short circuit

3. Ground fault

4. Overload/overheating

5. Defective breaker

What Will Cause an AFCI to trip?

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Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters

Depends on the frequency of the trip:

1.One time trip

2.Habitual trips (over longer intervals)

3.Immediate re-trips (within 5 seconds)

How Do I Tell What is Causing the AFCI to Trip?

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Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters

• Reset the AFCI

• Test the breaker

o if it doesn’t trip, the AFCI is defective and must be replaced

o If it does trip, check contacts between the AFCI and the panel

• If everything checks out, most likely a one-time arc, overload, or false trip

occurred

• Loads relying on arcing motors can trip the breaker.

o Ex. Printers, vacuums, furnaces

• If AFCI continues to trip due to a single load, and nothing appears to be damaged,

try replacing the AFCI with one from a different manufacturer.

One Time Trip

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Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters

Habitual Trips

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• Replace the AFCI with a GFCI

• If it trips, cause is most likely an overload

o Check the loads to ensure the breaker isn’t being overloaded

• If the GFCI doesn’t trip, cause is most likely an arc fault

o Check the wiring between the panel and the outlet for deterioration

o Check the internal wiring of the loads for deterioration

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Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters

• Replace the AFCI with a GFCI

o If it trips, a ground fault has occurred

o If the GFCI doesn’t trip, a short circuit may have occurred.

• Check the wiring between the panel and outlet for deterioration

• Check for incorrect wiring

Immediate Re-trip

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Arc Fault Circuit InterruptersCONCLUSION

THANK YOU.