Filters for AFCI Nuisance Tripping

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czars

Czars
Location
West Melbourne, FL
Occupation
Florida Certified Electrical Contractor
I've seen where a number of Forum members have suggested the use of filters to alleviate problems with AFCI breakers false tripping, but I have not seen any specific filters identified. Can anyone identify a filter or filters that are effective?
 
A few years ago my Eaton rep gave us a bunch of filters to use when we ran into specific appliances that would trip the Cutler Hammer AFCIs we were putting in. Treadmills and vacuums were the most frequent offenders. 9 times out of 10 this would actually solve the issue. Sadly I only have one left but I haven't had to use one in well over a year now. I believe the fix was in the noise filtering feature even though it's sold as a surge suppressor.

It is an Eaton SMICRO1T:

https://www.cnet.com/products/eaton-micro-series-smicro1t-surge-protector-1-875-kw/specs/

I do totally agree with peter d however... :happyyes:
 
MNSparky said:
A few years ago my Eaton rep gave us a bunch of filters to use when we ran into specific appliances that would trip the Cutler Hammer AFCIs we were putting in. Treadmills and vacuums were the most frequent offenders. 9 times out of 10 this would actually solve the issue. Sadly I only have one left but I haven't had to use one in well over a year now. I believe the fix was in the noise filtering feature even though it's sold as a surge suppressor.

It is an Eaton SMICRO1T:

https://www.cnet.com/products/eaton-micro-series-smicro1t-surge-protector-1-875-kw/specs/

I do totally agree with peter d however... :happyyes:
Click to expand...

Thanks. I'll have to try that sometime.:thumbsup:
 
MNSparky said:
A few years ago my Eaton rep gave us a bunch of filters to use when we ran into specific appliances that would trip the Cutler Hammer AFCIs we were putting in. Treadmills and vacuums were the most frequent offenders. 9 times out of 10 this would actually solve the issue. Sadly I only have one left but I haven't had to use one in well over a year now. I believe the fix was in the noise filtering feature even though it's sold as a surge suppressor.

It is an Eaton SMICRO1T:

https://www.cnet.com/products/eaton-micro-series-smicro1t-surge-protector-1-875-kw/specs/

I do totally agree with peter d however... :happyyes:
Click to expand...

It's a shame that manufacturers still can't get the AFCI right without needing these supplemental devices.
 
peter d said:
It's a shame that manufacturers still can't get the AFCI right without needing these supplemental devices.
Click to expand...

In reality, we have had very few issues with AFCI circuit breakers the last few years. We've had more issues with the AFCI/GFCI receptacles.
 
peter d said:
It's a shame that manufacturers still can't get the AFCI right without needing these supplemental devices.
Click to expand...

Pete, need I remind you that our friends at NEMA have told us time and time again that any problems with AFCIs have to do with the installation and the lack of educated installers.
 
chris1971 said:
In reality, we have had very few issues with AFCI circuit breakers the last few years. We've had more issues with the AFCI/GFCI receptacles.
Click to expand...

I'd agree with that. The receptacles (both AFCI and AFCI/GFCI) seem to be way prone to nuisance tripping. We also had about a year long stretch where we were having lots of issues with Siemens AFCI breakers. Lots of nuisance tripping, especially with the two pole. That seems to have calmed down now in the last 6 months. The Siemens rep claims there wasn't anything wrong. :happyno:
 
iwire said:
Pete, need I remind you that our friends at NEMA have told us time and time again that any problems with AFCIs have to do with the installation and the lack of educated installers.
Click to expand...

That explains Peter's problems with AFCI's.:lol:
 
iwire said:
Pete, need I remind you that our friends at NEMA have told us time and time again that any problems with AFCIs have to do with the installation and the lack of educated installers.
Click to expand...

Wow, that is dripping with sarcasm! :thumbsup:
 
Has anybody encountered counterfeit AFCI units that only have GFCI function?

If so, where can we get them? :angel:

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk
 
MNSparky said:
Wow, that is dripping with sarcasm! :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

Actually, it's what we have been told by manufacturer reps on this forum and in some trade magazines.

What I'm curious about is what is left for the breaker to "see" as a potential arc after all this filtering goes on? How is it that the manufacturers can sell something that makes their breaker act different than the test it had to pass in the lab and still be approved?
 
ActionDave said:
Actually, it's what we have been told by manufacturer reps on this forum and in some trade magazines.

What I'm curious about is what is left for the breaker to "see" as a potential arc after all this filtering goes on? How is it that the manufacturers can sell something that makes their breaker act different than the test it had to pass in the lab and still be approved?
Click to expand...
:thumbsup:

Exactly. Seems to me any add on remedy reduces the ability of the AFCI to do its job and if the remedy is so good why hasn't it been incorporated.

My guys are better now at tracking down problems and that would fit into education/experience. We don't do very much in the way of new residential so that does limit our exposure, but I believe the the CBs have improved.
 
MNSparky said:
A few years ago my Eaton rep gave us a bunch of filters to use when we ran into specific appliances that would trip the Cutler Hammer AFCIs we were putting in. Treadmills and vacuums were the most frequent offenders. 9 times out of 10 this would actually solve the issue. Sadly I only have one left but I haven't had to use one in well over a year now. I believe the fix was in the noise filtering feature even though it's sold as a surge suppressor.

It is an Eaton SMICRO1T:

https://www.cnet.com/products/eaton-micro-series-smicro1t-surge-protector-1-875-kw/specs/

I do totally agree with peter d however... :happyyes:
Click to expand...

$96 bucks...yikes...

Here is one for less than $10...:)

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Defiant-1-Outlet-Wall-Mount-Surge-with-Alarm-YLCT-29/203353679

I keep a similar one on my truck.
 
ptonsparky said:
:thumbsup:

Exactly. Seems to me any add on remedy reduces the ability of the AFCI to do its job and if the remedy is so good why hasn't it been incorporated.

My guys are better now at tracking down problems and that would fit into education/experience. We don't do very much in the way of new residential so that does limit our exposure, but I believe the the CBs have improved.
Click to expand...

I see your point, but these weren't intended as a whole-circuit fix. They were intended to be used on a single appliance that in most cases was made before AFCIs. They don't do anything for splicing errors, hardwired devices or other common issues that will trip an AFCI. We do a lot of residential remodeling and I feel are really good at tracking down AFCI problems but when we find an appliance is the problem, there's not too much we can do about that. The appliance manufacturers have to get in step with the AFCI technology as well.
 
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