Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupters

(AFCI)

Presented by: NAVEEN PRAKASH (500080594)

CONTENTS

• Objectives
• Introduction
• Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupters
• Arc Fault
• Causes of Arc Fault
• Working of AFCI
• Types of Arc Fault Interrupter
• Application of AFCIs
• Limitations
OBJECTIVES

• Overview of the causes and hazards posed by arc faults and the need for the
AFCI device
• Working principle of the AFCI device
• Identify the different types of AFCIs
• Testing of AFCI devices and arc detection technologies
• Applications of AFCI devices, specifically in the aircraft industry
• Limitations of AFCI.
INTRODUCTION

• In 1999, AFCIs became a requirement in the National Electrical Code (NEC®).

An AFCI breaker provides a higher level of protection than a standard circuit
breaker by detecting and stopping a hazardous arcing condition before it can
become an electrical fire.
• NFPA reported 47,700 home fires involved some type of electrical failure or
malfunction in 2011.
• Those fires resulted in 418 deaths, 1,570 injuries, and $1.4 billion direct
property damage.
• However, the CPSC estimates more than 50% of electrical fires that occur
every year could be prevented by AFCIs.
• AFCI’s save lives, protect individuals and families from injuries and make
homes safer. 
ARC FAULT

• AFCIs defines an arc-fault as an unintentional

arcing condition in a circuit (wiring).

• Arcing creates high intensity heat (may exceed

10,000 degrees Fahrenheit) resulting in
burning particles that may over time ignite
surrounding material such as wood framing or
insulation.

• Continuous Luminous Discharge of electricity

across an insulating medium.

Fig: 1
CAUSES OF ARC FAULT

• Natural degradation through age.

• Humidity or heat
• Extended mechanical stress
• Extended voltage stress
• Animals chewing through insulation
• General cord damage
• Poor wiring or connection at devices/junction-boxes.
• General cord damage
• Poor wiring or connection at devices/junction-boxes.
ARC FAULT CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER (AFCI)

• An arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) is a circuit protection device designed to

protect against fires caused by arcing faults in electrical wiring.

• It is defined as “a device proposed to provide protection from the effects of arc faults
by recognizing arcs and by functioning to de-energize the circuit when an arc fault is
detected.”

• AFCI disconnects the power before the arc starts a fire.

WORKING OF AFCI

• The AFCI circuit breaker serves a dual purpose :

- Shut of electricity in the event of an arcing fault.
- Trip when a short circuit or overload occurs.

Fig: 2 Voltage Current Stage in AFCI at normal and fault condition https://youtu.be/JTuG0En9zyk
WORKING OF AFCI

• Conventional circuit breakers only respond during short circuit and overload
condition, so they do not protect against arcing conditions that produce
extremely high amounts current flow in a sudden nature.

• An AFCI is selective such that normal arcs do not cause it to trip. It’s
circuitry continuously monitors current flow through the AFCI to
discriminate between normal current flows and unwanted arcing conditions.

• Once an unwanted arcing condition is detected, it de-energises the circuit

and reduces the potential risk for fire to occur.
WORKING OF AFCI

Fig: 3 Practical Wiring Diagram Of AFCI

http://ad6e6.sehidup.jeanjaures37.fr/afci-breaker-wiring-diagram.html
TESTING OF AFCI

• Proper Installation.
1. Load Power Wire
2. Load Neutral Wire
3. Panel Neutral Wire
Fig: 4 – WIRING OF AN AFCI

• With the breaker switch in the ON position, press the AFCI TEST  button.

• If the device does not trip when tested, the AFCI is

defective and should be replaced.
CAUSES OF TRIP OF AN AFCI:

• Overloads
• Shared Neutrals
• Short Circuits
• Ground Faults
• Parallel Arc Faults Fig: 5 - SHARED NEUTRALS

• Damaged AFCI

Fig: 6 - GROUND FAULTS

Determining the Cause of AFCI Tripping (distributordatasolutions.com
TYPES OF AFCI

1. Branch/Feeder Breaker AFCI

• A device intended to be installed at the origin of a branch circuit or feeder,

such as at a panel board.

• The branch/feeder AFCI provides for detection of arcing faults that can
occur line-to-line, line-to-neutral and line-to-ground.

• To be able to handle shared neutral circuits (a common application in

older homes), a two-pole AFCI can be used. This will accommodate the
three-wire circuit arrangement used in shared neutral applications.
Fig: 7 Branch/Feeder Breaker AFCI https://www.slideserve.com/maire/arc-fault-circuit-interrupter-afci
 2. Combination Breaker AFCI

The Combination AFCI provides for series arc detection down to 5 amperes. This
series arc detection is beneficial to detect lower level arcing in both branch
circuits and power supply cords

3. Outlet Circuit AFCI

It is intended to provide protection to branch circuit wiring, power supply cords,

and cord sets connected to it against the unwanted effects of arcing.
APPLICATIONS OF AFCI

AFCI prevents arc faults that might arise from:

• Damaged wires
• Receptacle leakage
• Neutral leads pinched to a grounded metal box
• Worn electrical insulation
• Loose electrical connections
• Shorted wires
LIMITATIONS

• AFCI breakers can also indicate false positives by identifying normal circuit
behaviours as an arc faults.
• Lightning strikes provide voltage and current profiles that resemble arc
faults, vacuum cleaners and some laser printers trip AFCIs.
• AFCIs are sensitive and cause false tripping
• AFCI provide no specific protection against
- Excess Current
- High Resistance connections
- High line voltages
- Low line voltages
 REFERENCES
1. 
"Do you know an Arc Fault Detection Device (AFDD) can prevent from an electric
al fire?"
.
2. Schneider Electric 2014 NEC(210.12)
3. C22.1-15—Canadian Electrical Code, Part I: Safety Standard for Electrical
Installations (23rd ed.). Canadian Standards Association. 2015. Rules 24–724(f)
& (g). ISBN 978-1-77139-718-6.
4. Ault, Singh, and Smith, "1996 Residential Fire Loss Estimates", October 1998,
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Directorate for Epidemiology and
Health Sciences.
5. Source:"Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI)FACT SHEET" accessed from 
http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PUBS/afcifac8.PDF Archived2010-07-20 at
the Wayback Machine, July 22, 2010
6. "What's NEW about AFCIs in the 2014 NEC? ‹ IAEI Magazine"
. Iaeimagazine.org. Retrieved 2017-03-28