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The arc-fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) is emerging as a new device in the National Electrical Code and in residential installations to enhance electrical safety. New technology generally fosters questions and concerns about the workings and application of the technology and this article will address some of the most frequently asked questions surrounding AFCI:

• How does the AFCI work? and,

• What is the state of the National Electrical Code regarding AFCIs?

This article addressees both questions.

What is the Purpose of an AFCI?
We need to think about why the AFCI was developed in order to assist our understanding of how they work. Its purpose is to eliminate certain unwanted arcs as potential, electrical fire causes. Electric arcs operate at several thousand degrees Celsius at their center. They also generate a pressure wave that will blow molten metal or burning material from their center onto ignitable materials. Either the high temperature or the materials discharged from the center of the arc can cause a fire. The intent of the AFCI is to detect hazardous arcing and turn off the circuit in order to greatly reduce the potential of fire from an arc.

Since an overcurrent protective device (OCPD), a circuit breaker or fuse, will detect and interrupt an arc above the OCPD characteristic curve, circuits are already protected against these higher current arcs. The AFCI addresses arcs below and to the left of the characteristic curve of an overcurrent protective device. The blue colored area in figure 1 represents the unprotected area in which the AFCI detects potentially harmful arcs.

Arcing Fault Hazards
We are all aware that arcs occur in useful circuits today. For example, arcs are found in universal motors, light switches, and thermostatically controlled appliances. Also, we find circuit signals that may look much like some arc characteristics in other equipment and appliances. Computers, audio equipment, light dimmers and many other devices with electronic controls generate "noisy" or unusual signals that could appear to be an arc to some form of detection devices. We wish for the circuit to continue to supply energy to these useful items, but we want the circuit to be interrupted when a potentially hazardous arc emerges. The AFCI must distinguish between useful conditions and hazardous arcing.

Hazardous arcing faults may occur in any of three configurations:

• Line-to-neutral,

• Series (such as in a broken or frayed wire or at a loose connection),

• Line-to-ground.

Line-to-neutral faults will generally be at higher current levels, close to the system available short-circuit current at the point of the fault. In a study done by Underwriters Laboratories for the Electronic Industries Association (EIA), data shows that available short-circuit current at receptacles in residences ranges from approximately 75 A to 1650 A with an average of 300 A for 15 A branches and 467 A for 20 A branches.1 This data gives a good idea of the current levels available in branch circuits and it is for this reason that the point contact tests for AFCIs in UL 1699, Underwriters Laboratories Inc. Standard for Safety for Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupters, are done at 75 amperes and greater.

A research program conducted during the development of UL 1699 indicated fire ignition of test materials with arcs of 5 amperes and higher. For this reason, tests identified as carbonized path tests in the Standard are done with arcing currents of 5 amperes and greater.

The purpose of this section is not to examine the testing standard or arc phenomena in depth, but rather to get an idea of how an AFCI works. So far, we know that the AFCI must detect a hazardous arc with current levels up to those of an overcurrent protective device characteristic. It must be capable of opening the circuit when one is detected. It must distinguish between hazardous arcs and normal circuit conditions involving arcs or signals that look like an arc. (See Figure 2)

How Does an AFCI Work?
Any statement about how AFCIs function today may be changed by the introduction of a new product tomorrow that employs a different technology. However, we can gain a general idea of how they work by understanding that the current and voltage waveforms of an arc have some distinctive characteristics.

Today’s AFCIs employ two complementary methods of detection: arc recognition and ground fault detection. We will look at each of them.

Arc Recognition
The information in the sidebar tells us that voltage and current waveforms will exhibit some unique characteristics including the following:

• Flat "shoulders" in the current around current zero

• Arcing current lower than ideal current

• Voltage across the arc approaching a square wave

• Voltage spikes each half cycle as the arc ignites and extinguishes

• High frequency "noise"

Voltage and current signals can be taken by an AFCI unit connected as indicated in figure 2. The connections and current transformer coils indicated in figure 2 constitute one method of obtaining the circuit information for the unit. There may be many other means of obtaining the same information. The AFCI unit will use the circuit information to perform an analysis to determine whether an arc is present and whether it is an arc that should be interrupted. It will very likely be looking for several simultaneous indications of arc presence and persistence in order to verify that the signal is from a hazardous arc. On determining that a hazardous arc is in the circuit, the unit signals interruption of the circuit.

The various manufacturers of today’s AFCIs use different methods of obtaining circuit information and analyzing it. The descriptions in this article provide a generic overview and are not intended to represent exact methods employed for a specific product. The signals may be captured by variations of the configuration of figure 2. Also, some of the units use a microprocessor to perform the analysis, while others use electronic circuitry to perform a direct analysis. The characteristics presented in this article are indications of available characteristics and are not necessarily those used by the various manufacturers. However, all of the units perform an analysis of circuit signals to identify the arc.

Ground Fault Detection
In evidence from fires caused by electrical arcing, line-to-ground leakage is involved, if not the direct path of the fault in many of the instances. Since an arcing fault is probably in the process of burning away insulation, there is a high likelihood that stray current will reach a path to ground. The path might be through metal appliance housings, fluids, equipment grounding conductors or conduit. Where arcing is involved, a frequent path is arc tracking across insulation that has pyrolyzed (carbonized) from the heat of the arc.

Since line-to-ground faults are a major factor in hazardous arcing faults, present manufacturers have included equipment level ground fault detection as an integral part of the AFCI detection system. Unless labeled otherwise, this ground-fault protection is not the 6-milliampere protection intended for personnel. That is, it is not GFCI protection unless so labeled. For present products, it is a 30-milliampere protection of the kind employed for protection of heating tape and other equipment.

The UL 1699 Standard does not require the 30-milliampere detection level. In fact, it requires detection at 5 amperes and above for faults to ground because it is at the 5-ampere level that fire causes are evident from research experiments. However, since the lower level ground-fault technology is readily available, some manufacturers have chosen to incorporate it.

Forms of AFCI
The UL 1699 Standard covers a number of types of AFCI, each to protect against unwanted effects of arcing.

The Branch/Feeder AFCI is a device installed at the origin of a branch circuit or feeder to provide protection of branch circuit and feeder wiring. This device also provides limited protection to appliance and extension cords. The B/F AFCI is available in circuit breaker form today but is not limited to that form.

The Outlet Circuit AFCI is a device installed at a branch circuit outlet to provide protection of appliance and extension cords. A likely form is a receptacle outlet. It may provide feed-through protection to cords connected to receptacles on its load side.

The Combination AFCI combines the functions of the B/F and OC AFCI in a single device. It is intended to protect branch circuit and feeder wiring and appliance and extension cords.

The Portable AFCI is a plug-in device intended to be connected to a receptacle outlet and which is provided with one or more outlets. It is intended to provide protection to connected appliance and extension cords.

The Cord AFCI is a plug-in device connected to a receptacle outlet, to provide protection to the cord connected to it.

The Standard does not specify the form of any of the types, which will allow them to emerge into the marketplace as needed for a specific application. This discussion will focus on the B/F AFCI, since it is the type the inspector may expect to see to meet the new National Electrical Code requirement. The B/F AFCI is presently available in the form of a circuit breaker that also incorporates the AFCI function. Figure 3 shows a typical circuit breaker AFCI unit.

These units provide all overcurrent protection functions and ratings of a standard circuit breaker and simply add the AFCI function. When a potentially hazardous arc is detected, the sensing unit signals the circuit breaker to trip and open the circuit breaker contacts. These units are intended to be installed in existing load centers in the position of a standard single-pole circuit breaker. Connections are similar to those of the circuit breaker and ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI). They have interrupting ratings, series ratings, SWD and HACR ratings similar to the circuit breaker of the same type.

AFCIs and the NEC
The new Section 210-12(b) of the 1999 National Electrical Code (NEC) reads:

"(b) Dwelling Unit Bedrooms. All branch circuits that supply 125-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-ampere receptacle outlets installed in dwelling unit bedrooms shall be protected by an arc-fault circuit interrupter(s). This requirement shall become effective January 1, 2002."

The revision cycle for the 2002 NEC has started with 20 proposals to revise Section 210-12 and two for other articles.

At this point in the development of the 2002 NEC, Code-Making Panel 2 has retained 210-12 much as it is in the 1999 NEC. They deleted the word "receptacle" from "receptacle outlets" resulting in a slight expansion of the requirement to include all bedroom outlets including lighting outlets. They also deleted the statement about the 2002 effective date. Panel statements make clear that they are not immediately ready to expand the requirement for this new technology for which little public experience exists. They were also clear in acknowledging the potential for reducing fire causes with AFCIs. A number of testimonials to AFCI effectiveness in detecting arcing faults appeared in proposal substantiations.

Section 210-12 with the revision requires AFCI protection of 15- and 20-ampere branch circuits, which means that the AFCI must be the Branch/Feeder type. This B/F type has been commercially available since 1998 and is presently the only type commercially available.

Of the two proposals not related to 210-12, one was for Article 230 to require AFCIs to be installed in service equipment when it is replaced in existing dwellings. CMP 4 has not accepted the Article 230 revision. The other proposal was for Article 550 to require AFCIs in bedrooms and living areas of mobile homes and manufactured homes. CMP 19 acted favorably on the Article 550 proposal but only to mirror the 210-12 requirement for protection of bedroom outlets.

The state of Vermont has adopted Section 210-12 with an early effective date of January 2001. They are also requiring AFCIs in circuits feeding receptacle outlets in living areas of dwellings in addition to those of bedrooms.

Wrap Up
The AFCI is still an emerging product. Arc detection is accomplished through recognition of arc characteristics in circuit waveforms. Ground-fault detection at 30 milliamperes is added by today’s manufacturers for excellent protection with avoidance of possible nuisance operation. Arc detection technology is becoming better understood by circuit design engineers which means that we can expect even better detection with experience. Indications are that the 2002 NEC will retain installation of the AFCI as a requirement for bedroom circuits in dwellings. There is still an opportunity for comment prior to the December Report on Comment meetings.

1 Fact-Finding Report on an Evaluation of Branch-Circuit Circuit-Breaker Instantaneous Trip Levels, (Underwriters Laboratories Inc., October 25, 1993).

George Gregory is manager of Industry Standards, Square D Company, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He is a registered P. E. in Iowa, Illinois and Puerto Rico. He is chair of the NEMA Circuit Breaker Section, chair of IEEE Power Systems Protection Committee and has been an associate member of IAEI since 1972. He also serves on NEC Panel 10 representing NEMA.

Alan Manche is Senior Standards Engineer, Square D Company, Lexington, Kentucky. He is a registered P. E. in Kentucky. He serves on a number of NFPA Technical Committees including NEC Panel 8, NFPA 70B and NFPA 73. He is active with NEMA, UL, CSA and NFPA and represents Square D through the IAEI, supporting the inspectors at state and regional meetings with educational programs on electrical equipment and its proper installation.

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