Electrical: Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCIs)

 
 

Arc-fault circuit interrupters, or AFCIs, provide protection against arcing in fixed wiring, appliance cords, and extension cords. The U.S. Consumer Protection Safety Commission (CPSC) and the National Association of State Fire Marshals (NASFM) have called AFCIs the "most promising fire-protection technology since the advent of the smoke detector."

How does it work?

Conventional circuit breakers respond to overloads and short circuits.  They do not protect against arcing conditions that produce erratic current. Like circuit breakers, AFCIs protect against short circuits and overloads, but also protect against arcs by electronically identifying the unique current and voltage characteristics of arc faults, and de-energizing the circuits when arc faults occur.
 
 
 
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