AFI - Breaker Application

[vincecharles]

Over the past 2 years I have recorded over 40 separate instances where refrigerated cases equipped with shelf lighting have experienced electrical fires. The source of the fire in all instances has been traced to modular female plugs located on the back wall of the cases. The shelving light fixtures are mounted on the bottom of the shelving and are equipped with pigtails that plug into the modular female sockets. Loose or damp connections at this point cause resistance that ends up damaging the pins and or sockets that can result in a fire. Preventative maintenance programs have been developed that are reducing but not eliminating this issue. Manufactures are working on improved wiring harnesses and sockets connections. This still doesn't eliminated the human error that occures when the cases are cleaned, reset or serviced.

Would this be a good application for AFI breaker on the circuits feeding the refrigerated case lighting? I'm open for suggestions and any other observations that I may be missing.

Thank you,

vincecharles

 

[Dennis Alwon]

It would appear to me that this situation would benefit from an arc fault breaker. Obviously the best solution is to find a fix for the pigtailed connections.