wrote:

On Mon, 12 Mar 2007 15:18:48 -0600, Bud--
wrote:


My usual question - from your vast connection to the rumor mill, what is
the status of the new "combination" AFCIs. Do physical manifestations of
this mythical creation exist? Will they soon? Many manufacturers? Do
they actually work?

Siemens says they have done it and they even claim the "series arc"
device is working. That has always been the holy grail.
"Combination" device only refers to an arc on the load side of the
receptacle as well as in wall wiring but it is still only parallel
arcs.

A good source of information on AFCIs is::
http://www.iaei.org/subscriber/magaz...gregmanche.htm
from IAEI News, January/February 2003,The Truth About AFCIs (Part 1)
(part 2 is at
http://www.iaei.org/subscriber/magaz...gregmanche.htm

According to the article, AFCIs aren’t specified to detect either series
or parallel arcs. The currently required “Branch/feeder” AFCIs are
required to detect 75A arcs. That will detect parallel arcs, but not
series arcs.

“Outlet circuit” AFCIs are required to detect 5A arcs, which will detect
series and parallel arcs.

The “Combination” AFCIs required by the NEC on 1-1-08 combine “Outlet
circuit” and “Branch/feeder” requirements, so they will detect both
series and parallel arcs.

--
bud--