Arc Fault Breakers

[mbrooke]

And that protection is not intended for preventing fires (not directly). It may still reduce number of fires that incidentally happen because a fault to ground develops and trips it before it gets to a fire starting situation.

There have been tests posted here before where a glowing connection had no response from an AFCI. I myself am more concerned about a fire starting from a glowing connection then from any other "arcing event" that the AFCI may actually detect. Many of those other events will not be sustained by 120 volts long enough to be much threat. I have seen many more melt downs from 277 volts that were lucky they did not start a fire.

I agree. At 277 volts you are far more likely to sustain an arc, with greater intensity as well.

The 30ma IMO does prevent fires if say a nail enters a piece of NM. If the nail pierces through NM hitting neutral or hot wile also the ground the risk is immediately removed. The breaker doesn't even wait for an arcing signature to trip in such a case.

A glowing connection has no effect on either GFI or AFI logic since no arcing signature is present. You might luck out if the heat burns off insulation that shorts to ground but its not always the case. Im with you on this, a glowing connection is by far my greatest concern as well.

Interestingly over on ET a guy posted a link to someone who had developed a system for indicating glowing connections. The device attaches to the screws, and once a loose connection starts the heat shorts open or to ground the conductor. I have to find it.



When it comes to AFCIs I think the most fitting sentence is the truth is the truth even if no one believes it, a lie is a lie even if everyone believes it

 

[mbrooke]

This is the video story regarding the project:

http://www.aaim.tv/2014/04/elecrical-french-connexion-real-truth-afcis-anglais/



This is an excerpt from the comments section. Whom ever wrote this is lucid:happyyes::


[h=5]Bob[/h]5 octobre 2013" ...safety device that will indeed save lives and prevent fires.
The NEC is an organization that mandates how we implement electrical installations in the US, and is comprised of Panels of members that represent different organizations. Many of these members are not experts and do not fully understand the technology involved in what their Panel is mandating. Some, if not most, of the panels are ? stacked ? with manufacturers and others whose primary goal is to advance their products to make more money. Please do not be na?ve and think that the National Electrical Code exists primarily for safety (I was na?ve and believed this at one time). Recognize that the requirements for AFCIs, which continue to expand each Code cycle, have meant BILLIONS of $$ of profit for the companies that manufacture them, and they DO NOT address the main concern of electrical fires ? the glowing connection..."