Arc Fault Breakers

[williamsmithaud]

I understand how CFCI's work. Simply stated, they measure electrons flowing in versus electrons flowing out, and any difference trips the GFCI.

Now can someone give me a technical explaination of how arc fault detection breakers work?

[Wgoodrich]

Simply stated in generic terms

A sine wave is a plus or minus curve line showing the cycling of an AC circuit under load with current flowing. This sine wave can be sine using an osciliscope screen.

An arc fault breaker monitors the sine wave for a scratchy sine wave. The scratchy sine wave creates a frequency the Cboard inside the arc fault breaker can recognize. Then there is a duration time frame required for this scratchy sign wave to continue before the Arc fault breaker reacts. This is in order to tolerate the operation of a normal switch turning on or receptacle being plugged in under load.

Remember this is a generic explaination. Much more is going on much like the GFI operates yet not acting as a GFI either.

Hope this helps

Wg