How Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters Prevent Electrical Fires

[HoneycombAgent]

Do you shock yourself hammering a nail?

[Fantome1989]

@HoneycombAgent Not really. Most hammers have handles made from fiberglass or dry wood. Many of the more expensive ones even have rubber grips on them.

[MrMeanderthal]

so my AFCI breaker trips.. how do I know it's because of a arc fault rather than an overloaded circuit?

[blenheimears]

@MrMeanderthal There is an indicator on the AFCI breaker that will turn orange if it is an arc fault.

[MIKON8ERISBACK]

You people in the US are lucky. Electrical codes in Canada are far more laid back.

[FrenchIDCC]

Thank you for your reply UzamakiNaroto X3.

From what I know, the IF is simply a differential device placed at the "top"of circuit. We know this technology since the 60's here! = Main breaker with differential device (0.5 A). Since 90s, few differential device 30 ma for the circuits.

But nothing can detect bad connections from electrical panel!

Because nothing can detect a Jouel effect!

Best regards.

[ElectricalGuru]

Excellent Video !

When I as a National Electrical Code Consultant/Trainer to the Eaton ECCN program the AFCI was something we focused on when I taught classes. I also see that now Siemens is leading the way in this technology and that's exciting. Great work Siemens and look forward to more advancements.

[UzumakiNarutoX3]

Here in germany those devices have to be installed by regulation since over 10 years.

[FrenchIDCC]

@UzumakiNarutoX3

I think you're wrong, these products are not sold in germany to my knowledge!

[UzumakiNarutoX3]

@FrenchIDCC

Here they are called FI (fault current circuit breaker). They shut down the electricity if there is a short or a leakage of current due to bad connections, moisture or damaged wires.

[johnlvs2run]

Great video, thanks.

[yqnyq]

@evhgl87: NO, not hitting the electric wiring does NOT eliminate the problem of arcing and electrical fires. It's /EVERY/ bad connection that can overheat and become a problem.

[handymanrichie]

Use easy anchors to hang a picture, not a #16 nail

[handymanrichie]

Use easy anchors to hang a picture, not a #16 nail

[lrd9999]

The problem is that many appliances are designed to safely allow enough arcing to trip AFCIs. I added an Eaton AFCI/GFCI to the circuit that powers my finished basement. It sometimes trips when I use an old TV for which the owner's manual says arc noises are to be expected. It also trips when I use any vacuum cleaner on a dry day. There should be a way to isolate appliances like this from AFCI protected circuits.

[jeffroification]

hopefully they will come down in price after they have been on the market for awhile.

[anthonydacko51]

Good video,

One thing I did not see was the use of a wall metal detector to detect pipes or cables before he put the nail in the wall.

Apart from that I do recommend the devise as wall.

[evhgl87]

never thought about using a wall metal detector as a function of checking for electrical wiring - usually a stud finder is all that you hear about. of course, hit the stud correctly in the first place and arc's wouldnt be a problem either lol.

[SwingboyPA]

@evhgl87 Not true; you could hit the spot where the wire passes through the stud. I've only seen it once and it didn't cause an arcing problem, it just killed the circuit. This was done by the dry-wallers when the house was re-modeled.