AFCI Theory of Operation

[charlie]

Re: AFCI Theory of Operation

Al, you are getting into product development issues and I do not believe any of the manufacturers have published any data on your questions.

 

[peter]

Re: AFCI Theory of Operation

"only detect a fault in the wiring to the outlet" If so, then this is a dangerous fraud because it provides a false sense of security. Do these AFCIs detect "stab in the back" [cheap] receptacles? Do they detect overloaded extension cords? How often and how does an arc fault develop in the wiring within the wall?
The code making panel was plainly duped and I clearly see the difficulty of anyone making a mistake. "...it would look foolish to remove the requirements for the AFCIs only to reinsert them after the combination type were produced." To coin a term, we could call these new AFCIs " Magic AFCI s" which will detect and stop all arc and other faults with 0% false trips. But will all the current existing AFCIs be recalled or will the requirements for these Magic AFCIs be made retroactive?
~Peter

 

[charlie]

Re: AFCI Theory of Operation

Over time, the current AFCIs will all be replaced and the combination type AFCIs that will be required on 1/1/08 will work (at least, that is what we are told).

 

[peter d]

Re: AFCI Theory of Operation

Originally posted by charlie:
Over time, the current AFCIs will all be replaced and the combination type AFCIs that will be required on 1/1/08 will work (at least, that is what we are told).

Generally, when something gets a total replacement, that suggests to me that the original product had serious flaws.

It almost seems like a backhanded way of the manufacturers admitting that the current AFCIs really aren't that effective, by replacing them with the combination type.

Why didn't the combination technology get perfected and introduced first?