AFCI Tester which can trip Eaton AFCI's?

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dword32

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Does anybody know of any AFCI testers which can trip Eaton AFCI's? I currently have a bunch of Eaton BRCAF120's (Gen 4), and even the Eaton Circuit Analyzer does not trip them. I know in Eaton's documentation, they say the only "official" way of testing it is with the test button, but I always like having a separate independent tool to test them.

Thanks!
 
dword32 said:
I know in Eaton's documentation, they say the only "official" way of testing it is with the test button, but I always like having a separate independent tool to test them.
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Welcome to the Forum.

Bottom line, No.

This is one of the really frustrating aspects of the entire AFCI story. "Tester" is a forbidden term. "Indicator" is permitted, not tester. The AFCI specification allows "testing" ONLY by the integral "Push To Test" button in the breaker or the Outlet Branch Circuit AFCI device.

An AFCI, being a real time signal processor, discriminates between an infinite number of benign arc signatures and "only" operates to interrupt an infinite number of malevolent arc signatures. Tripping initiated by the integral "Push To Test" button indicates that the AFCI operated, but means nothing for the viability of the AFCI during next instance when it "should" operate.

At this time, there are something in the neighborhood of seven, or eight, unique proprietary solutions to the "Grand Concept" of AFCI, and each of them go through version upgrades. What the solutions are, and how they actually work, is hidden behind a stone wall of manufacturer silence. Public release of generalized white papers and of all manner of advertising specs, is what is available to the professionals that work with the hardware in the Premises Wiring (System).
 
dword32 said:
Does anybody know of any AFCI testers which can trip Eaton AFCI's? I currently have a bunch of Eaton BRCAF120's (Gen 4), and even the Eaton Circuit Analyzer does not trip them. I know in Eaton's documentation, they say the only "official" way of testing it is with the test button, but I always like having a separate independent tool to test them.

Thanks!
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Welcome to The Forum. There is no way outside the integral test button to test afci Breakers. Any other test at this time would be meaningless or invalid.

Hopefully afci Breakers Fail-Safe, meaning that if it fails to perform its auto test test, or has any kind of problem it cannot resolve on its own, it would lock itself out and not reset, verses failing to trip under a 'real arc fault'... whatever that means.

I suppose that having a defective Appliance on hand that his trip other arc fault breakers could be used to test 1, however that is not a reliable, approved, nor recommended method.

GFCI plug-in receptacle tester would trip afci Breakers with a GFCI component.
 
JFletcher said:
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Hopefully afci Breakers Fail-Safe, meaning that if it fails to perform its auto test test, or has any kind of problem it cannot resolve on its own, it would lock itself out and not reset, verses failing to trip under a 'real arc fault'... whatever that means. ....
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I have never heard anything about AFCIs being fail safe or having any type of auto testing like is required by UL 943 for GFCIs.

As far as I know AFCIs are not fail safe and do not have an auto testing function.
 
don_resqcapt19 said:
As far as I know AFCIs are not fail safe and do not have an auto testing function.
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Leviton is in the process of rolling out a new line of distribution equipment for the residential dwelling market. An article in Cision PR Newswire can be read by clicking here.. One can go straight to Leviton's load center by clicking here.

The new Leviton single pole combination type AFCIs are to "feature reset lockout technology."
 
wire in series to a polarized cap cord a FS2 fluorescent starter with a ~40watt incandescent bulb as load. best to get a FS2 socket becuse most have AL lugs that you cannot solder to, or wrap a loop of copper around each lug (contact) tight and solder the wire.

the noise from the arcing of the starter should trip afci, but no guarantee.
 
Not to start another 14 page damnation, but AFCIs are so much smoke and mirrors that nothing can determine that they do what they are advertised to do, not even that test button. As you found out, Eaton's tester fails to test their own devices. What does that mean? In reality, nothing.

Do a search of this forum for that recent discussion of how AFCIs came to be and the UL testing standard that manufacturers must meet so they can say that their devices work.

-Hal
 
al hildenbrand said:
Leviton is in the process of rolling out a new line of distribution equipment for the residential dwelling market. An article in Cision PR Newswire can be read by clicking here.. One can go straight to Leviton's load center by clicking here.

The new Leviton single pole combination type AFCIs are to "feature reset lockout technology."
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Leviton has added its patented reset lockout technology to both GFCI and AFCI/GFCI circuit breakers making them the only true power denial circuit breakers available on the market,
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colorful lingo, but trying to look up detail on it is rather futile.......:( ~RJ~
 
romex jockey said:
colorful lingo, but trying to look up detail on it is rather futile.......:( ~RJ~
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It is frustrating, isn't it.

The line card for this new Leviton hardware, which can be seen by clicking here, shows only two AFCI combination-type breakers, both single poles. There are no two poles. Whether the Leviton LB115 AF and the LB120 AF can be handle tied is highly unlikely, in my opinion, because of the low profile rocker-style manual operator. At this point, it seems unclear whether the new line of hardware will be able to energize a legacy multiwire branch circuit that requires AFCI protection.
 
al hildenbrand said:
Leviton is in the process of rolling out a new line of distribution equipment for the residential dwelling market. An article in Cision PR Newswire can be read by clicking here.. One can go straight to Leviton's load center by clicking here.

The new Leviton single pole combination type AFCIs are to "feature reset lockout technology."
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Thanks ... I had not see that on, however as far as I know that type of technology is not required by the AFCI standard.

A closer looks shows the same misleading statements that the company used with their first lockout GFCIs. The breaker does not actively self test the AFCI function, and only prevents a rest after a trip or a test if the AFCI detection is not working. That does not make a fail safe device as it will just continue to function as a standard thermal magnetic breaker when the AFCI detection fails. It does not give notice of such failure, and you have no idea that it has failed until you test it or it trips for some reason. Yes, I aware that the instructions require monthly testing, but we all know that rarely happens in the real world. The fact that user testing per the instruction is rare is the very reason the GFCI standard was changed to require self testing devices, but even their the standard does not require a disconnection of the load side power if the device fails the self test. The standard permits the device to disconnect the power, or to provide an audible and/or visual indication that the GFCI device is not providing GFCI protection.
 
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al hildenbrand said:
It is frustrating, isn't it.

The line card for this new Leviton hardware, which can be seen by clicking here, shows only two AFCI combination-type breakers, both single poles. There are no two poles. Whether the Leviton LB115 AF and the LB120 AF can be handle tied is highly unlikely, in my opinion, because of the low profile rocker-style manual operator. At this point, it seems unclear whether the new line of hardware will be able to energize a legacy multiwire branch circuit that requires AFCI protection.
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yeah it's frustrating Al

Obfuscating it further, it seems that every manufacturer is concocting it's own 'better mousetrap afci'

take GE for example , HERE is their RX for the whole multiwire configuration via two s.p. breakers w/handeltie

I use GE because the rarely trip on anything , less callbacks is good

But i've been Jonesing for some theory for decades

~RJ~
 
hbiss said:
If the lockout technology is designed the way the AFCI is they are going to be selling a lot more breakers for replacement.

Hmmm, ya think maybe that's the idea? ;)

-Hal
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I'm sure you've read the fine print Hal, they can't be megged .....so methinks mother nature is gonna lock in a lotta sales with them lock outs :) ~RJ~
 
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