Arc Flash Circuit Breaker

Afci protection is provided by either an afci circuit breaker installed at the electrical panel or by a receptacle specifically identified as providing arc fault protection.

Arc flash circuit breaker.

Enclosed circuit breaker with arc flash reduction maintenance system arms this document highlights the features and benefits of enclosed circuit breakers with the flash reduction maintenance system pdf 147 kb 5 30 2019 switching devices catalog. The arc fault circuit interrupter is designed to turn off an electrical circuit when an arc is detected that can lead to a fire or other hazardous conditions within the range of the protection that the afci is able to detect. Sparking and arcing are exactly what the afci breaker is looking for and so it will interrupt the circuit power. An arc fault circuit interrupter or afci breaker prevents fires by sensing when an electrical arc is about to occur and instantly disconnecting the damaged circuit before the arc builds enough heat to catch fire.

Both the circuit breaker and receptacle are installed similar to the gfci circuit breakers and receptacles that are present in many homes already. The term arc flash is used to describe low impedance connections in an electrical system which allows movement of unwanted electric discharge through the air from one voltage phase to another or to ground. When a severe enough arc flash occurs the overcurrent protective device fuse or circuit breaker upstream of the fault interrupts the current. Although current sensing circuitry enables afcis to detect arcing conditions unintended trickles of current may also cause the breaker to shut off afcis are very sensitive.