AFCI is required in new construction to protect the homeowner. Why isn't switchboard arc fault protection required to protect the equipment, operator, and maintenance personnel? Arc fault protection and arc fault prediction for switchboards has been available for 15 years and is required by the National Bureau of Shipbuilding Naval Vessel Rules for all new construction. Thus, why isn't arc fault protection required by the NEC?
Arc Fault Protection of switchboards
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AFCI is required in new construction to protect the homeowner. Why isn't switchboard arc fault protection required to protect the equipment, operator, and maintenance personnel? Arc fault protection and arc fault prediction for switchboards has been available for 15 years and is required by the National Bureau of Shipbuilding Naval Vessel Rules for all new construction. Thus, why isn't arc fault protection required by the NEC?
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Re: Arc Fault Protection of switchboards
Are you sure we are talking about the same thing? I have not heard of arc fault protection for switchboards. Do you have a link to the shipbuilding requirements?
Are you sure we are talking about the same thing? I have not heard of arc fault protection for switchboards. Do you have a link to the shipbuilding requirements?
Re: Arc Fault Protection of switchboards
The "ABS Guide for Building and Classing Naval Vessels" was released 15 July 2004, but it is only authorized for distribution to authorized DoD & their contractors. In Part 3 "Electrical Systsms, Chapter 2 system design, section 6 "System Protection" paragraph 10 states that "Arc fault detection shall be provided for switch gear in accordance with standard methods prescribed by the Naval Technical Authority." Installation of such protection began on Navy ships in 1990. At this time all submarines and aircraft carriers have such protection and all new ships will have such protection. An overview of the technology can be found at http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/iel5/39/21454/00994837.pdf?tp=&arnumber=994837&isnumber=21454. IEEE articles have been published at the IEEE Electric ship Technologies Symposium 20005. I could list other references if desired. IEEE articles also state that a large number of electricians are killed every year by switchboard arc faults. Many of those deaths are concealed as part of a legal settlements. Why not take an on line poll of how many people have been injured or know of someone injured by a switchboard arc fault? A poll of who knows of a switchboard arc fault would be good as well. Why doesn't NEC address switchboard arc faults?
The "ABS Guide for Building and Classing Naval Vessels" was released 15 July 2004, but it is only authorized for distribution to authorized DoD & their contractors. In Part 3 "Electrical Systsms, Chapter 2 system design, section 6 "System Protection" paragraph 10 states that "Arc fault detection shall be provided for switch gear in accordance with standard methods prescribed by the Naval Technical Authority." Installation of such protection began on Navy ships in 1990. At this time all submarines and aircraft carriers have such protection and all new ships will have such protection. An overview of the technology can be found at http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/iel5/39/21454/00994837.pdf?tp=&arnumber=994837&isnumber=21454. IEEE articles have been published at the IEEE Electric ship Technologies Symposium 20005. I could list other references if desired. IEEE articles also state that a large number of electricians are killed every year by switchboard arc faults. Many of those deaths are concealed as part of a legal settlements. Why not take an on line poll of how many people have been injured or know of someone injured by a switchboard arc fault? A poll of who knows of a switchboard arc fault would be good as well. Why doesn't NEC address switchboard arc faults?
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Re: Arc Fault Protection of switchboards
The only thing that is close to this in the NEC rules that require ground fault protection of large switchborads on 480/277 wye systems to prevent complete destruction of the swichboard when an arcing ground fault occurs.
Don
[ January 12, 2006, 09:07 AM: Message edited by: don_resqcapt19 ]
I have never seen a proposal to address this issue. Normally when a manufacturer has equipment like this they will submit a proposal requiring its use.
The only thing that is close to this in the NEC rules that require ground fault protection of large switchborads on 480/277 wye systems to prevent complete destruction of the swichboard when an arcing ground fault occurs.
Don
[ January 12, 2006, 09:07 AM: Message edited by: don_resqcapt19 ]
Re: Arc Fault Protection of switchboards
Don,
Your reply implies that NEC decisions are based upon what manufacturers have to sell and not necessarily on the need. This theme is more expressly stated in several of the AFCI posts, so you are not alone in that opinion. I would have hoped that some cost benefit analysis was performed before changes make it to the NEC.
Don,
Your reply implies that NEC decisions are based upon what manufacturers have to sell and not necessarily on the need. This theme is more expressly stated in several of the AFCI posts, so you are not alone in that opinion. I would have hoped that some cost benefit analysis was performed before changes make it to the NEC.
allen wagner
Member
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- christianburg, va.
Re: Arc Fault Protection of switchboards
afd/ctm
the nec deals with buildings and dwellings that are built on land . with that said , your code addreesse an arc fault that would occuar on water and these panels could be in an area where fuels are stored and these faults would be more dangerious if you are at sea.
allen
afd/ctm
the nec deals with buildings and dwellings that are built on land . with that said , your code addreesse an arc fault that would occuar on water and these panels could be in an area where fuels are stored and these faults would be more dangerious if you are at sea.
allen
- Location
- Bremerton, Washington
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- Master Electrician
Re: Arc Fault Protection of switchboards
Why doesn't NEC address switchboard arc faults?
Good idea. Why not submit a proposal to include this in the NEC?
Why doesn't NEC address switchboard arc faults?
Good idea. Why not submit a proposal to include this in the NEC?
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