Addressing arc faults in the 2002 NEC: although flawed in its execution, the addition AFCIs to the 2002 code highlights the importance of arc-fault protection

摘要

Circuit breakers and fuses are effective in preventing fires caused by a bolted-type short circuit or ground fault. However, the amount of current flow in a high-impedance arc is often too low to trip the protection device, creating the potential for a fire. To reduce the number of electrical fires caused by parallel arc faults in branch circuit wiring, the NEC now requires a listed arc-fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) protection device in branch circuit wiring that services dwelling unit bedrooms.