Arc Fault Protection. An afci is a product that is designed to detect a wide range of arcing electrical faults to help reduce the electrical system from being an ignition source of a fire. Eaton offers code compliant electrical safety devices including arc fault circuit interrupters that reduce the risk of fire to ground fault circuit interrupter cable assemblies receptacles and portable gfci kits that help protect against electrical shock as well as circuit breakers.
When such famous names as franklin edison tesla and volta were mesmerized by that blue flame who could have imagined the unlimited potential no pun intended. Arc fault circuit interrupter protection afci the requirements for afci protection first came into the nec in the 1999 edition with an effective date of january 1 2002. An arc fault circuit interrupter afci also known as an arc fault detection device afdd is a circuit breaker that breaks the circuit when it detects the electric arcs that are a signature of loose connections in home wiring.
The basics of arc fault protection.
The subsequent sections of chapter 42 section 422 deal with specific locations and circumstances that require further considerations. Section 421 also recommends the use of arc fault detection devices for a particular purpose which is to provide additional protection against fires caused by arc faults. Loose connections which can develop over time can sometimes become hot enough to ignite house fires. A detection device senses the electrical arc and breaks the circuit to prevent an electrical fire.