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Ignition Characteristics of Residential Series Arc Fault in 220V HIV Wire

Won-Sik Moon, Jae-Chul Kim, Ara Jo Sun-Bae Bang Won-Sik Ko

Student Member, IEEE, Member, IEEE Senior researcher Vice President
Electrical Engineering Dept. Electrical Safety Research Institute HETCO Inc.
Soongsil University 12, Ogon-ro, Wanju-gun 602-2, Ga-Yang Techno Town
369, Sangdo-ro, Dongjak-Gu, Seoul, KOREA Jeollabuk-do, 565-851, Korea 157-793, Seoul, KOREA
chriswsmoon@ssu.ac.kr, jckim@ssu.ac.kr bsb1586@kesco.or.kr kows1018@hanmail.net

Abstract -- Unintentional arc faults, caused from damaged
power line cords and loose connections, can start a serious fire
and safety hazard in residential areas. The arc fault circuit
interrupter (AFCI) is beginning to emerge as a product to
protect against the arc that may cause fire. In this paper, we
analyze ignition characteristics depending on the magnitude of
load current when series arc occurs. Also, we suggest the
suitable arc clearing time based on characteristic analysis in
Korean residential electric environment. To do this, we have
tested the carbonized path arc clearing time test using ultraviolet
signal detecting system according to the test method of UL 1699.
As wire specimen in those experiments, we used the heat
resistant indoor PVC insulated (HIV) wire which is a kind of
residential electric wire.
Index Terms—AFCI, arc clearing time, carbonized path, HIV
wire, ignition, Series Arc Fault, UV sensor
experimental equipment using the standard suggested by
UL1699. HIV wires were used for wire samples because these
are the most widely used materials as residential electric wires
in Korea.
II. ARC FAULT CHARACTERISTICS
A. Types of Arc Faults
An arc is defined as a continuous luminous discharge of
electricity across an insulating medium, usually accompanied
by the partial volatilization of the electrodes [5]. There are
two modes in which arcs occur and may cause fire [6]. One of
modes is formation of a carbonized path between electrodes
and the other is point contact and separation of electrodes.
There are three types of arc faults as shown in Fig. 1 [6]-[8].

I. INTRODUCTION
In some cases of electrical fire occurred in 2011, it
accounted for 21.3% as 9,351 cases out of total 43,875 cases
in Korea. Analyzed by causes of electrical fire, short circuit
by insulation deterioration was 2,287 cases (24.5%), (a) Series arc
unidentified short circuit was 2,245 (24%), loose contact was
722 cases (7.7%), and short circuit by tracking was 668 cases
(7.1%). It shows that electrical fire caused by arc faults
accounts for 73.2 percent as 6,844 cases [1]. In this way, most
of the electrical fires have been occurred by arc fault. But the (b) Line-to-line (parallel) arc
arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) to prevent electric fire has
not been introduced in Korea.
In the case of North American countries, Ground Fault
Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) for preventing electrical shock, as
well as AFCI for preventing fire has to be installed. It is
required at homes for preventing electrical disaster in (c) Line-to-ground arc
bathrooms and basement where are damp or wet [2]-[4]. Like
Fig. 1. Types of arc fault circuits
these countries, Korea needs to be installed arc detector and
interrupter to prevent electrical fires. Therefore, it should be
considered with the introduction in Korean industrial Fig. 1 (a) shows a line-to-line (parallel) arc. The two wires
standards or electrical installation technical standard of the are short circuit state that is from being stuck in a crack in
electricity enterprises act. door or under pressure by heavy objects. The Fig. 1 (b) is to
Korea has been ready to be introduced of AFCI. This paper show the series arc. It occurs in a single conductor that has
suggests the suitable arc clearing time in residential electric pulled apart or a loose connection to a receptacle or in a
environment. The carbonized path arc clearing time test was splice. The series arc is in series with the load and remains at
utilized for this experiment. Also the characteristics of lower levels than the load current. Since the current levels of
ignition energy were analyzed. We have developed series arc cannot greater than the rating of the circuit breaker,

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it is difficult to detect the series arcing than the parallel arcing.
Fig. 1 (c) is Line-to-ground arc fault and another type of the
parallel arcs. It is formed only when a ground path is present.
B. Series Arc Protection Characteristics
One of the main reasons for electric fires is arcing [4].
Despite of such a situation, circuit breakers or earth leakage
circuit breakers are still used for preventing electric fires in
Korea. These circuit breakers can keep people safe from a
short circuit accident or an electrocution accident. But it
cannot protect at all from the fires by series arc. Since 1974
residential voltage had been boosted from 110V to 220V. For
this reason, Korea had mandated earth leakage circuit
breakers for the purpose of preventing various electric
accidents. Until now, the function of overcurrent protection
has been added for keeping residential areas safe from
overload electric fires.
Fig. 2 is a traditional time-current characteristic of 20A
circuit breaker [6]. This time-current curve can be divided by
two parts. On the basis of the wire protection cure, the upper
right side is the area that a circuit breaker is able to work well
when overcurrent such as overload or a short circuit accident
happens. But the below left two sides both region 1 and 2 of
the curve is the area that a circuit breaker cannot detect the
faults, especially series arcs because of comparably lower
currents. This area which is marked by region 1 and 2 means
series arcs and parallel arcs respectively. Most of electric fires
have happened in these kind of circumstances which are in the
below left side of the curve. Therefore, AFCIs need to be
introduced for lowering the risks of electric fires.
Furthermore, the suitable arc clearing time should be
confirmed.
In the case of continuous arcing by loose contacts of
electric wires, a carbonized path can be generated at the point
of arcing. If load currents flow through the generated path,
this path serves as an electric conductor and it could cause
fires through ignitable substances [9]. We had conducted 200
experiments to simulate ignition occurrence by arcing. For
these experiments, we developed an experimental device for
testing carbonized path arcing based on UL 1699 standard.
We also utilized UV sensor to detect the time until fires occur
from arcing.
A. Experimental Configuration
To measure the time from ignition after the arc related with
electrical fires directly occurs, Carbonized Path Arc Clearing
Time Test presented in UL 1699 standard was performed [7]-
[11]. Experimental device is composed of two parts as shown
in Fig. 3. One is for forming a carbonized path on specimen
wire as shown in Fig. 3 (I). The other is for carbonized path
arc clearing time test of series arc fault in the wire in Fig. 3
(II). The experimental device is comprised of power source,
wire specimen, oscilloscope, switches and incandescent lamp
to make sure whether arc path is generated well in Fig. 4.
Especially UV signal detection system is made to measure the
time that cotton on the wire is ignited by the series arc [11].

10,000

1,000
Wire Protection
Curve
100

10
Fig. 3. Schematic of experimental configuration for carbonized path arc
1 clearing time test

0.1

0.01
1 2

0.001
1 10 100 1,000 10,000
current (amperes)
1 Series arcs 2 Parallel arcs

Fig. 2. Time-current characteristic of a 20 A circuit breaker and its

protection regions

III. EXPERIMENTAL CONFIGURATION AND PROCEDURE

This section describes the experiment that a fire caused by
the arc occurrence. At first, it describes experimental Fig. 4. Photograph showing the experiment setup device
configuration and then wire specimen production process
required for experiments.

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Page 3 of 5 2014-PSEC-0380
B. Experimental Specimens
Wire specimens for the carbonized path arc test follow the
production methods suggested in UL 1699 standard and in the
manner similar to the method explained in [3], [7], and [10].
The currents used in this experiment are 5, 10, 20 and 30 A,
respectively and each current is used by making 50 wires. The
specimens are produced by the following procedures.
2
• Step 1) Cut two strands of 2.5mm HIV to the length of
8 inch (203mm), and then wind a tape at both ends of
the wires.
• Step 2) Set both ends of the wire apart. One end of the
wires removes sheath of the HIV about 1/2inch(12.7 ㎜)
in order to connect power.
• Step 3) In the middle of the sample, make a scratch at
the coating of electric wire with a knife to generate
carbonized path. At this time, be careful not to damage
the conductor.
• Step 4) At the point of the cut insulation, make double
wrapped with PVC insulation tape, and then complete
the sample wrapping fiberglass tape over it again.
2.5 mm2
HIV cable
(a)
(b)
Double wrapped
with PVC insulation tape
(c)
Double wrapped
with fiberglass tape
(d)
Fig. 5. Procedure of experimental specimens, 75℃, 2.5 ㎟ HIV wire
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C. Experimental Procedure
The experimental procedure suggested in this paper is
composed of two steps. The first step is for making
carbonized path on the specimen. In this process, high voltage
and low current need to be set as an experimental condition.
The second step is the simulated fires out procedure. When
load current flows through the carbonized path, fires can be
ignited by arcing.
• Step 1) Fig. 6 shows a 220/15,000V, 30mA rated neon
transformer that is used as high voltage source for
creating a carbonized path on specimen wire.
Practically, a carbonized path is also able to be
generated in low voltage condition, but it tends to take
a long time. That is why 7,500V which is boosted by
the neon transformer is utilized to make the
experimental process effective. The current of 30mA or
less is set as a condition because carbonized paths can
be damaged or even those paths may not be generated
in high current flowing situation. Fig. 7 (a) is the
specimen without a carbonized path, and Fig. 7 (b) is
the specimen with a carbonized path generated by the
experimental procedure.
220V
Mg - 1
60Hz
SPECIMEN
220/ 15000V
30m A
Fig. 6. A part of the experimental circuit to create a carbonized path on
specimen wire
(a) (b)
Fig. 7. Two specimen wires. (a) before the carbonized path was formed, (b)
after the carbonized path was formed
• Step 2) After the carbonized path production is
confirmed at the sample, configure the experimental
device with a sample wire as shown Fig. 8. After then,
put a piece of cotton on the scratched part already
wrapped by tape as shown Fig. 9(a). It sets the
condition that fire can occur when arc generates.
Measure the current and voltage according to changes
the magnitude of load current using the arc generating
device. And measure the arc generating time and initial
ignition time using UV detection system as shown Fig.
9 (b).
 2014-PSEC-0380 Page 4 of 5

the ignition time of a cotton piece by faults arcing. This UV

Fig. 8. A part of the experimental circuit for carbonized path arc clearing
time test for series arc fault
(a) (b)
Fig. 9. Experimental procedure for arc clearing time test of series arc fault
IV. IGNITION ANALYSIS OF SERIES ARC FAULT
sensor is a device to sense ultraviolet radiation emitted during
arcing. The arcing time and ignition time by arcing can be
measured well, because this device is characterized by high
level of accuracy. UV radiation is showed like ignition time
signal of Fig.10 through UV sensor controller. Ignition time is
defined as the time from an arc starting point to an ignition
starting point. In this condition, an ignition starting point
means the very first point of continuous ultraviolet sensor
output. Before the ignition is started on a piece of cotton,
output signal does not show up. After the ignition starts, the
continuous output signal shows.
B. Ignition Arc Energy
We analyzed the arc energy that contributes to ignition
from arc occurrence on the wires. Fig. 11 shows the
instantaneous power during the time from initial arc starting
to ignition starting. The amount of energy released during
half-cycle varies with each current magnitude. But it is
revealed that those are about the same of average total arc
energy as being about 150 J released during ignition time
shown in Fig. 12.
P(t) Ignition Time

A. Output Signals
When arc occurs, arc voltage is generated at both ends of 30A

the specimen. Also shoulder electric potential appears in the ●●●

7.8
input current, and current level is reduced. Fig. 10 shows T (ms)

input voltage, input current, arc voltage and UV sensor output Ignition Time

measured by oscilloscope.
●●●
20A

4.5
Pre-fault Post-fault
T (ms)

Ignition Time

10A
●●●
2.5

T (ms)
Ignition Time
5A
1.4 ●●●

T (ms)

Fig. 11. Instantaneous power for the time to ignition

Arc staring Ignition staring

Fig. 10. Output Signals of series arc fault for ignition time measurement

This experiment had been conducted by utilizing a similar

way to UL 1699 standard [3]. Input voltage was supplied as
220V. Respectively 5A, 10A, 20A and 30A were set as the
input current that flows through a purely resistive load. The
specimen wires for this experiment were used as 75 ℃
2.5mm2 HIV wires, because these are the most widely used as
residential electric wires in Korea. This experiment was Fig. 12. Average total arc energy for the time to ignition
performed as 50 times per each of the currents.
Especially, an ultraviolet sensor was applied to measure

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Page 5 of 5 2014-PSEC-0380

C. Ignition Probability order to prevent electrical fires and introduce the AFCIs. In
Table I presents the standard for arc clearing time Korea, the introduction of AFCIs is just around the corner.
specified in UL 1699 [3]. In order to apply the standard in UL However, it seems to be difficult to introduce AFCIs and
1699 to the Korean industrial standards, it is important to commercialize them in short time. That's because there is no
compare the arc clearing time in UL standard and the ignition standard about arc interruption. Besides, Voltage reference
probability shown in Fig 13. and types of wires are all different with North America. It
means it is definitely hard to apply the UL 1699 standard in
TABLE I
ARC CLEARING TIME SPECIFIED IN UL 1699 STANDARD FOR 120V AFCIS domestic electric environment.
This paper analyzed ignition characteristics and
Load Current probabilities related with series arcs using HIV wires at 220V.
5 10 15 22.5 30
of UL 1699 [A]
The arc clearing time provided by UL 1699 standard was
Arc Clearing Time
1 0.4 0.28 0.16 0.11 analyzed based on domestic condition and compared with the
of UL 1699, [s]
newly suggested clearing time. As supporting a conclusion,
Fig. 13 shows the cumulative ignition probability obtained the ignition probability graph helps to suggest the suitable arc
by ignition time for the currents of 5A, 10A, 20A, and 30A on clearing standard on the condition of HIV wires and 220V.
the HIV wires at 220V. Fig. 13(I) is the area that is suggested The new method utilizing UV sensor system helps to measure
by UL 1699 as the arc clearing time. This result supports the ignition time with high level accuracy. If more samples can be
conclusion that just applying the UL standard is not used in the same procedures, much more accurate arc clearing
appropriate in domestic electrical environment because of a time would be drawn as a conclusion. This approach expects
high probability of ignition by more than 50%. to help setting a new arc clearing time in domestic
environment over the long range aim.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT
This work was supported by the New and Renewable
Energy program (No. 2011T100200064) of the Korea
Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning
(KETEP) grant funded by the Korea government Ministry of
Knowledge Economy.

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In North America, they established UL 1699 standard in

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