GFCI devices are designed to protect a person from getting a shock when touching an ungrounded appliance. Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCI), in comparison, protect against a fire being started from an unintended arc. An arc fault occurs when a current-carrying conductor has an arching condition to ground or another conductor. Damaged insulation, for example, can lead to an arc fault, which may not generate enough fault current to trip a circuit breaker. In the following example a staple has been driven through the insulation of a wire during installation.
An AFCI device is intended to provide protection from the effects of arc faults by recognizing the characteristics unique to arcing and de-energizing the circuit when an arc fault is detected. The arc generated will cause the AFCI to trip. Arcs normally generated from electric equipment such as a light switch or power drill will not cause the AFCI to trip.
An AFCI device is intended to provide protection from the effects of arc faults by recognizing the characteristics unique to arcing and de-energizing the circuit when an arc fault is detected. The arc generated will cause the AFCI to trip. Arcs normally generated from electric equipment such as a light switch or power drill will not cause the AFCI to trip.
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