"bud--" wrote in message
news:51d42b22$0$1355$c3e8da3
On 7/3/2013 4:07 AM, Robert Green wrote:

stuff snipped

I'm confused now. Do the AFCI's use RF at all to detect arcing
conditions?

Looking at the current in the wire, a "spike" is made up of frequencies
that are much higher than 60 Hz. My guess is AFCIs look at the low end
of RF and what is in the audio frequencies. I would also guess AFCIs
pick up the current signal with a current transformer on the hot wire.
(GFCIs use a current transformer around both the hot and neutral.)

It's interesting that in all my research I've yet to come across a circuit
diagram or anything technically detailed about how AFCIs actually work. I'm
going to bite the bullet and order an AFCI outlet to run some tests with.
They ain't cheap!

http://www.amazon.com/Leviton-AFTR2-.../dp/B009ZZCKG8

runs $33 from Amazon. If anyone knows of a cheaper vendor, please advise.
Also, how would one go about creating a deliberate arc for testing purposes?
I've got some carbon rods lying around somewhere that I used to create a
carbon-arc light with. I suppose that should work . . .

--
Bobby G.