AFCI testers

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harley

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seems that some of ideals AFCI tester are failing jobs will not trip breaker on long circuits runs. Has anyone experienced problems. Inspectors are taking these testers for the almighty pass/fail the breaker when the tester cannot supply the correct output on long branch circuits. Breaker ok tester bad.
 
Re: AFCI testers

I have heard there are some Ideal testers that are not tripping out breakers on long runs. The important point is one you hit on - the test button is the definitive answer if abreaker is good or not. Testers are useful to check wiring and AFCIs in a whole house in a timely manner but always go by the breaker test button if there is any question.
 
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Wayne, if that is truly the case, then what trips the parallel arc function of an AFCI?

If the same fault or imballance trips an AFCI as well as a GFCI, we could throw the AFCI out and opt for a GFCI.

I know this is not what you meant, but I just had to expand on this. ;)

Roger
 
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I thought I read somewhere, probably on this Forum, that pushing the test button on a protective device only indicates that the device was in working condition up to that moment, and once you push the reset, it cannot be positively known that the device will still work.

So basically, you can push the test button to verify its operation, but then you again only know it was working and you cannot be sure it will again .
 
Re: AFCI testers

So basically, you can push the test button to verify its operation, but then you again only know it was working and you cannot be sure it will again
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That is a true statement for any test that is performed on any type of device or equipment. Just because something worked when it was tested does not mean it will continue to work in the future. That is why, when you test for voltage before working on something, that you should verify that the voltage testing device is functional on a known live circuit, both before and after using the tester on the subject circuit.
Don
 
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But even after that test it might not work again.LOL
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True, but it is very very unlikely that it failed on the middle test. The one that you are betting your life on!!
Don
 
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We have had an outragous number of homeline afci breakers that wont trip when test button is pushed.Any ideas why?
 
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Originally posted by tom baker:
Kirk on an AFCI what does the test button do?
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I'd like to ask this question as well. It is my understanding that the test button on the AFCI breaker does not test the arc detection logic, but only the trip function. Is this correct?
 
Re: AFCI testers

Meant to reply sooner and actually forgot my password to log back in...

Test circuit on AFCIs is usually (definitely for Cutler Hammer AFCIs) an electronic test circuit that generates an arc for true testing of functionality. It is not just a trip function to make sure the mech works. If it functions and breaker resets, it is a good breaker.
 
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If it functions and breaker resets, it is a good breaker.
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No...it was good when it was tested. All testing is in the past. The results may be used to "predict" the future, but just because it worked when you tested it does not mean it is still working after you tested it. Positive tests really only prove that the device was most likely working before the test. This applies to all types of equipment testing, not just AFCIs.
Don
 
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Everyone-

I heard from my supply house that there's a recall on Sq.D home line AFIC. I haven't seen it on paper yet thou.

STEVE
 
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Don - you got me on semantics. Only takeaway I have for inspectors and contractors is that given anyone's AFCI Tester and anyone's AFCI breaker, the test button on the breaker is the more accurate and definitive test.
 
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Test buttons on AFCI breakers may check for proper operation, but not at the load end of the circuits. Use a tester, too!
When our campus built new apartments, with AFCI's to each bedroom, the electrical contractor 'mulitwired' (their AC cable only had one neutral with black, red & green) to the bedrooms and when the AFCI tripped (whenever a load was plugged in 'either' circuit) they placed the AFCI neutral to the neutral bus, along with the mulitwire neutral. The AFCI stopped tripping and the inspector passed on it, because the test button worked the AFCI to trip when depressed. Only when a tester (Ideal in this case) was used in each bedroom did the electricians (contracotr's) figure out that they weren't done wiring. That is also when they read up on purpose & theory of operation of AFCI breakers. All three hundred bedrooms were 'rewired'.
 
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It doesn't sound like all 300 bedrooms had to be re-wired, rather, the correct AFCI breaker should have been used and installed properly for multi-wire circuts.
 
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Two seperate AFCI circuits can`t share one commom neutral without tripping (when there is a load on them)That is why there is 14-2-2 NM.Same as an AFCI circuit neutral being tied in downstream with the neutrals of a non AFCI circuit.That`s a BIG TRIP GOOD BUDDY :D .
 
Re: AFCI testers

Testers absolutely are useful in assuring proper wiring but I think this string started with the question that sometesters are not tripping breakers that function properly.

Test button on breaker is still definitive test for a good AFCI being installed.

Tester will help determine proper wiring.

There is also an alternative for two AFCI circuits on the same neutral. Cutler-Hammer has a two pole independent trip AFCI that allows a shared neutral.
 
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