Ideal Sure Test AFCI Tester

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Jljohnson

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Colorado
I had an inspection yesterday where the inspector is using this tester to check AFCI breakers. The tester would not trip the CHCAFI breakers that were installed. I replaced one with another brand new one and had the same result. I then took a short section of wire and installed a receptacle on the end of it, terminated it to the breaker and tested, still wouldn't trip. The same tester worked just fine when we tryed it on an older branch feeder style AFI breaker in the same panel. Tester has also proved to be reliable when testing other brands of AFCI breakers. Has anybody else used this tester and have you seen any issues when testing CH AFCI breakers?
FYI, all of the breakers tested just fine when using the test button on the breaker itself, so I did pass my inspection.
Thanks,
 
After reading comments on this site regarding testing GFCI & AFCI's, it seems that the proper way is to use the test button on the device. The instructions may even dictate that.
I would say you passed the inspection.:thumbsup:
 
I like the sure test for use on older homes. It's good for spotting bootleg grounds and high voltage drop which may indicate a problem ( poor connections ) but it's useless for AFCIs.

When a push of the test button is all that's required why would an inspector want to go an complicate things?
 
The inspector may have done as I did. Purchase it due to it's looking like a great idea without doing my homework.
After having the same results that you experienced, I read a but about the tester from both the manufacture's info and other sites and found it unsuitable for my uses.
It seems less likely to provide the desired results when the power source is from a generator or temporary supply.
I now test the breaker at the panel and use the (expensive) tester only to assure the desired receptacles are dead.
 
The Ideal "Tester" is actually an AFCI Indicator and is not a reliable tester of an AFCI device. The only recognized test of an AFCI device is the test button on the device.

I have one of those "Testers" and found that on circuits with a large voltage drop they would not trip an AFCI device.

I now only test AFCI devices using the test button on the device itself.

Chris
 
augie47 said:
The inspector may have done as I did. Purchase it due to it's looking like a great idea without doing my homework.
After having the same results that you experienced, I read a but about the tester from both the manufacture's info and other sites and found it unsuitable for my uses.
It seems less likely to provide the desired results when the power source is from a generator or temporary supply.
I now test the breaker at the panel and use the (expensive) tester only to assure the desired receptacles are dead.
Click to expand...

Instead of "teaching an old dog a new trick" they sold "an old dog a new toy"!:D

I'm guessing that maybe the GFCI portion of the AFCI is what trips the breaker when using such a tester. Since some of the AFCI mfgs have taken the GFCI part out of the AFCI, hence why the tester won't trip them, IMPO.

I agree, the test button on the breakers is the best/listed way to test them.
 
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