can anybody tell me why "Arc Fau

[kitha]

can anybody tell me why "Arc Fault Circuit Interruptors" are used and they are mandatory specially for bed room receptacles as per certain electrical codes. Also please let me know how we selectively coordinate them with other protective devices.

 

[jwerthman]

AFCI breakers are designed to detect low-level arcing faults that can persist for long periods of time with current levels below the threshold of normal circuit breakers. These are the types of faults that cause many fires, particularly in areas such as a bedroom with combustible blankets, bedspreads, curtains, etc.

As far as coordination, these breakers are usually going to be the last breaker in a circuit. Since they will be much more sensitive than the regular upstream breakers, there should be no coordination problem. If one of these devices is used upstream of a regular breaker, coordination is most likely not possible.

 

[jbartos]

Suggestion: The arc fault circuit interrupters are presently available in 15A and 20A sizes, 1pole (they may be made twin circuit breakers). Therefore, it is not possible to coordinate these sizes selectively for short circuit faults. Visit

http://www.sea.siemens.com/resident/docs/RPPM-S0001-0202.pdf

for more info