Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters
- Thread starter tandem
- Start date
- Status
quogueelectric
Senior Member
- Location
- new york
I have heard of this happening through others yet have yet to see it myself.
- Location
- San Francisco Bay Area, CA, USA
- Occupation
- Electrical Engineer
In general, AFCI breakers are designed to allow for universal motor starting. Your client's vacuum cleaner may have brushes that are beginning to fail.
JohnJ0906
Senior Member
- Location
- Baltimore, MD
Perhaps "common" is not the correct term, but vacuums are the only thing that I have experienced that will trip an AFCI. It has happened in 3 places to my recollection.
Has she tried another vacuum?
What brand circuit breaker?
And, this could be a genuine problem with the vacuum, not the breakers. The fact that an appliance operates, does not necessarily mean that it is operating safely.
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Journeyman Electrician
Why would this a problem with the vacuum? To me the problem is with the AFCI not recognizing that this is a vacuum. 
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
The older style arc faults did have a problem with certain brand vacuums. Supposedly those wrinkles have been ironed out.
- Location
- Simi Valley, CA
Why would this a problem with the vacuum? To me the problem is with the AFCI not recognizing that this is a vacuum.
I agree, I think the vacuum should at least intorduce it's self to the AFCI then it will be recognized the next time.:grin:
Last edited:
LarryFine
Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
- Location
- Henrico County, VA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
Well, we know for sure that one of them sucks, and one of them doesn't.Why would this a problem with the vacuum? To me the problem is with the AFCI not recognizing that this is a vacuum.
- Status