arc fault tester

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lmchenry

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Do any of the afci testers on the market test for series arcs?
Which is the best for parallel arcs?
Or should I even buy one?
 
This is a quote from the AS1000 literature:
Use of the AS1000 Arc Smart tester is not a substitute for sound wiring practices and standards. The AS1000 simulates specific ?must trip? conditions and does not simulate all possible arcing conditions. Always follow manufacturer?s instructions and local codes for installation of AFCI breakers and branch circuits. No warranties specific or implied are extended to the installers or manufacturers of any equipment of the branch circuits tested by the AS1000.
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A tool may have the word "tester" in its name, but that doesn't mean anything to an AFCI breaker.

The inability to actually "field test" the arc detection and descrimination capabilities of any AFCI by any method other than the AFCI's self test button has always rankled me.
 
At the California Electrical Inspectors meeting, John Tacker from UL, let it be known, again, that there are no listed AFCI testers.

Read again what the one that quo posted does.

As Chris said the only way to test it is with the test button.
 
lmchenry said:
So quo would you suggest the purchase of the 165?
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I personally have been hawking them on ebay a couple have slipped past me in the 75$ Range but I cannot justify 300 bannanas for a tester I will seldom use. So I will continue hawking. Right now I have a rigid 10"tile saw and a set of SS crimper U dies in my sights as a justifiable expense. Eventually I will purchase it but I hate paying retail.
 
This is from the instructions for the Ideal 165:
CAUTION: AFCIs recognize characteristics unique to arcing, and AFCI testers produce characteristics that mimic some forms of arcing. Because of this, the tester may give a false indication that the AFCI is not functioning properly. If this occurs, recheck the operation of the AFCI using the test and reset buttons. The AFCI?s test button function should demonstrate proper operation.
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It's important to appreciate the complexity of the algorithms that are in AFCIs, particularly the new Combination AFCIs. When the AFCI senses the voltage and current passing through it, it then manipulates the waveforms in several ways. Information is derived from the manipulated waveforms that is added to, or subtracted from, a "counter register". When the register exceeds a certain level a trip signal is sent to the contact actuator.

Siemen's Carlos Restrepo has published Arc Fault Detection and Discrimination Methods that goes into depth on the theory of the Combo AFCI.

This is, at present, untestable, in my opinion.
 
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