This article was posted 10/02/2008 and is most likely outdated.

Investigation on Branch/Feeder Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter Incorporating Equipment Ground Fault Protection
 

 

Topic - AFCI
Subject - Investigation on Branch/Feeder Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter Incorporating Equipment Ground Fault Protection

October 2, 2008
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Investigation on Branch/Feeder Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter Incorporating Equipment Ground Fault Protection

 

ImageAt the present time the UL Standard for Arc-Fault Circuit-Interrupters (AFCIs) does not require AFCIs to detect a high-impedance fault condition known as a "glowing connection". Paragraph 1.3 of UL 1699 states:

 

These devices are not intended to detect glowing connections.

 

The glowing connection has been documented by a number of technical investigators as a potential ignition mechanism. The purpose of this investigation was to assess the ability of a Branch/Feeder AFCI incorporating ground fault protection to respond to a glowing connection occurring at a wiring device termination. The ability to interrupt such a thermal event is seen as an additional mechanism by which AFCIs may be used to reduce the risk of electrical ignition.

 

Click here to review the UL investigation.

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Comments
  • What is the difference between a glowing connection and a glowing heater element, as far as what the breaker sees? Isn't it true that even if you have a glowing connection, and the installation is otherwise code legal, the event will be contained in the box?

    Ken
    Reply to this comment

  • Except that AFCIs do not have a ground trip level of 5 mA to protect people - more like 30 to 75 mA.

    Actually, I have felt that any kind of copper wiring connection that is 30 Amps or larger, is outdoors, a damp envirionment or running air conditoning or other heavy load needs to be made using the silicon carbide abrasive paper elbow grease electrical grease method that Dr. Jesse Aronstein says will make aluminum wire copastetic. There is a reason why there are antioxidant compounds for use on copper wire and I have seen a lot of copper wiring failures due to copper oxide or other corrosion.

    Michael R. Cole
    Reply to this comment

  • Are any manufacturers investigating alternative termination methods that will not allow this condition?

    Steve Blackford
    Reply to this comment

  • Thank you for this report. What I got out of it was a vindication for my insistance on using only metal boxes. The usual arguement against is cost. My rebutal is that metal not only provides a ground path, but when it really does melt, catching the rest of the house on fire is not an issue! James

    James Mercier, P.E.
    Reply to this comment


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