Parallel Arc

[ptonsparky]

Switch from a common multi receptacle cord. This had six with the load being a bath circulation pump. Hydro massage? The original air switch failed and the owner used this as a pump control instead.

We installed AFCI on this and other circuits in the house a couple years ago when we moved the service. So far the AFCI's have detected three problems. First was on power up. A faulted receptacle in a closet no one living there remembered. IDR how it was tagged. Second was a few months later, a light switch arcing. Tagged as a Series arc by the CH AFCI. Combination. Now this as a parallel arc.

Hot to the left, load center and Neutral on right. There was a small spring and ball at the end of the probe tip which are now somewhere on my basement floor. Look closely and can see where the hot contact for the light would press against load of the switch. It looks rusty. The ball and spring looked a bit smokey for the time I saw them but obviously the spring still had tension. The top piece would have hinged directly onto the switchbody as it sits.

Did any of these trips prevent a fire, IDK, but the HO is impressed and so am I.