Troubleshooting for fire safety

Electrical fires, especially those that start within the walls of homes or businesses, can cause significant damage before they are detected. In worse case scenarios, serious injuries can result. The arc fault circuit interrupter was designed to prevent these tragedies.

Now part of the National Electrical Code for residential, commercial, and industrial construction, AFCIs are programmed to detect a potential fire hazard and block it before a fire can start. Understanding how they work is the first step toward embracing this lifesaving feature of any residential or commercial electrical system.

Understanding AFCI Breakers

Arc fault breakers are programmed to recognize faults as they occur. A normal arc – one generated to start a vacuum cleaner or heater motor, for example – will not trip a properly installed AFCI. An arc that could start a fire – one caused by damaged or overloaded wiring – will trip the AFCI, cutting power and eliminating the fire hazard. Manufacturers of these breakers test for hundreds of conditions that could cause an arc and design the breakers to recognize normal arcs and dangerous arcs.

• How it works – Arc fault technology is an advanced system in which the device is programmed to recognize normal electrical arcing. The device then monitors the circuit so that when abnormal activity is detected on that circuit, the power is cut before a fire can occur.
• In conjunction with GFCI – The GFCI outlets homeowners are familiar with in kitchens and bathrooms protect from electrical shock if an appliance is charged due to a ground fault. Used together with AFCIs that protect the branch circuit wiring, they provide complete electrical protection.
• Types of AFCI breakers – Types of AFCI breakers include branch/feeder breakers, which are installed in the breaker box for protection at the origin of the feeder, combination breakers, which protect against lower-level arcing in power cords, and AFCI and GFCI breakers, which protect against arc faults and ground faults.

When an AFCI trips

AFCIs have raised concerns among electricians and users over what is called “nuisance tripping” – the shutting down of a circuit due to a normal arc. While unwanted tripping has occurred, research has shown that most of these instances can be traced to an actual wiring or device compatibility issue. As technology for AFCIs has improved, electricians emphasize that troubleshooting should be approached with care and the assumption that a circuit may not be wired correctly.

Electrical issues that could trip an AFCI include:

• An incorrectly wired circuit, such as reversing the neutral and ground wires
• Hot wires contacting each other
• Damaged wiring connecting a light fixture or appliance to a circuit
• Device incompatibility, which is the most common cause of an arc fault breaker tripping

Device incompatibility can range from a poor connection to an overload. Disconnecting the device from the circuit and resetting it can help you determine if the device is the cause of the tripping.

For fire safety

AFCI breakers are required anywhere people gather or live, including kitchens, family rooms, and bedrooms, as well as office and work areas. Their advantages include:

• Fire prevention, especially those caused by arcing faults within walls.
• Compliance with the National Electrical Code
• The ability to identify damage to wiring or failing electrical connections before they cause a fire or damage your electrical system.
• They can be retrofitted anywhere electrical systems are considered vulnerable.

Experts agree there is no way to know how many fires have been prevented thanks to arc fault breaker technology. The best evidence of their effectiveness will be that over time we will see fewer instances of fires that were caused by electrical issues.

At Northern Electric, we have extensive experience installing and troubleshooting any electrical issue, including arc fault breakers. If you have questions about the dangers of arc faults or the benefits and requirements regarding installation of these breakers in your home or business, call our team for a consultation and inspection.