Understanding Your Options: AFCI Protection and - CHBA

Understanding Your Options:
AFCI Protection and the 2015 CE Code
November 25, 2014
Eaton
© 2008 Eaton Corporation. All rights reserved.
Classifying An Arc Fault
• Operational Arcs - occur in a properly functioning
electrical system
• Switching loads ON/OFF
• Contact closure/opening
• Non-Operational Arcs - potential fire hazards
• Damaged insulation in fixed wiring and appliance
cords
• Loose connections
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Operational Arcs
• Examples of operational arcs:
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Hazardous Arcs
Examples of non-operational arcs
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Wiring Degradation Drivers
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Temperature
Humidity
Mechanical Stress
Voltage Stress
Time
Loose Connections
Stranded Aluminum Wiring
Corrosion
Do-it-yourselfers
Rodents
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Life Phases of the Home
There are three major phases during
the lifespan of a home…
CONSTRUCTION
HOMEOWNER MOVES IN
AGING STRUCTURE
•
Average of 50-75 junction
boxes, switches and outlets
•
Homeowners modify by adding
dimmers, ceiling fans, more lights
•
Additions will occur
•
Rodents may move in
•
Thousands of feet of wire
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Electricians work comes before
drywall, cabinets, shelving and
trim
Pictures get hung and more
shelves are installed
Wire degradation due to
humidity, heat, vibration
•
Appliances put in place, extension
cords used, spa’s installed
•
Weakening connections due to
repetitive use
•
More loads may be added
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Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupter Technology
© 2008 Eaton Corporation. All rights reserved.
Types Of Arcing Faults
Series Arcing
L1
Load
Parallel Arcing (Line-Neutral)
N
Gnd
Parallel Arcing (Line-Gnd)
Equipment Grounding Conductor
High Current Level Arc
Low Current Level Arc
“Parallel Arc”
“Series Arc”
• An Arc Fault that occurs at 75Amps and higher
• An Arc Fault that occurs Line-Line or Line-Neutral
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An arc fault at low levels down to 5 Amps
An arc fault at a break or gap in a single conductor
in series with a connected load
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AFCI Circuit Breaker vs. Receptacle
An AFCI circuit breaker
protects the entire circuit
from its origin in the load
center for both parallel
and series arcs
High Current “Parallel” Arc Protection
Low Current “Series” Arc Protection
AFCI Circuit Breaker
installed in the panel
An AFCI receptacle can
protect all downstream
wire and connected cords
from both parallel and
series arcs, but only
protects from series arcs
upstream in the home run
Standard
Receptacle
High Current “Parallel” Arc Protection
Low Current “Series” Arc Protection
Standard Circuit Breaker
installed in the panel
Circuit protected downstream
from both series and parallel arcs
AFCI
Receptacle
Homerun only protected
from series arcs
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Codes And Standards
© 2008 Eaton Corporation. All rights reserved.
2015 CE Code
2015 CE Code, Rules 26-724 (f) and (g)
(f) each branch circuit supplying 125 V receptacles rated 20 A or less shall be protected by a
combination-type arc-fault circuit interrupter, except for branch circuits supplying
(i) receptacles installed in accordance with
(A) Rule 26-710(f); or
(B) Rule 26-712(d)((i), (iii), (iv), and (v); and
(ii) a single receptacle for a sump pump where
(A) the receptacle is labelled in a conspicuous, legible, and permanent manner
identifying it as a sump pump receptacle; and
(B) the branch circuit does not supply any other receptacles; and
(g) notwithstanding Item (f), the entire branch circuit need not be provided with arc-fault
protection where
(i) an outlet branch-circuit-type arc-fault circuit interrupter is installed at the first outlet on the
branch circuit; and
(ii) the wiring method for the portion of the branch circuit between the branch circuit
overcurrent device and the first outlet consists of metal raceway, armoured cable, or
non-metallic conduit or tubing. by a listed arc fault circuit interrupter, combination-type, installed to
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2012 vs. 2015 CE Code
2012 CE Code
2012 CE Code, Rule 26-722(f)
Branch circuits that supply receptacles installed
in sleeping facilities of a dwelling unit shall be
protected by an arc-fault circuit interrupter
2015 CE Code
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2015 CE Code AFCI Requirements
•
Expansion within Dwelling Units
•
Extended coverage to receptacles in other
areas than bedrooms
• Typically includes: Living room, Hallways,
Family room, Dining room, rec. rooms,
closets.
•
Expanded AFCI Options
•
Combination type AFCI Circuit Breaker
•
AFCI Receptacle installed at the first outlet box of the
branch circuit, and use of conduit or armored cable to
the first outlet
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26-724(f)
Combination-Type AFCI
A combination type arc-fault circuit interrupter, installed to
provide protection of the entire branch circuit.
Combination
AFCI
Standard TR
Receptacle
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26-724(f)
Combination-Type AFCI
Advantages
Disadvantages
• Protects the entire circuit
from the source
• Legacy loadcenters may
not accommodate AFCI
circuit breakers
• No local AFCI reset
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26-724(g)
Armoured Cable or Conduit + OBC AFCI
If metal raceway, armoured cable, or non-metallic conduit or tubing
are installed for the portion of the branch circuit between the branchcircuit overcurrent device and the first outlet, it shall be permitted to
install an outlet branch-circuit type AFCI at the first outlet to provide
protection for the remaining portion of the circuit.
Thermal Mag
Circuit Breaker
OBC AFCI
Receptacle
Armored Cable
or Conduit
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26-724(g)
Armoured Cable or Conduit + OBC AFCI
Advantages
Disadvantages
• Allows for local AFCI
reset at the receptacle
• Installation of conduit or
armoured cable can be
costly
• Price advantage to AFCI
Breaker
• AFCI receptacle must be
located at first outlet and
be readily accessible
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Other Considerations
•
Location of the First Receptacle – The
AFCI receptacle must be placed as the first
outlet. Care must be taken to ensure this
location is readily accessible.
•
Wiring Practices – Because the AFCI
receptacle must be placed in the first outlet,
the contractor may need to change its
wiring practices.
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ONE EATON
Eaton is the ONLY
company that
manufactures AFCI
protection in both
Circuit Breakers AND
Receptacles.
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The Last Word
• Remember your local
Authority Having Jurisdiction
has the ultimate say in the
application and use of
electrical equipment per the
prevailing Electrical Code.
• Be sure to verify the local
codes in your province or
municipality.
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Collateral/Supporting Documentation
• Whitepaper
• AFCI Sales Brochure
• Website
www.eatoncanada.ca
www.cooperwiringdevices.com
• Counter Display
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Thank You
TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
© 2008 Eaton Corporation. All rights reserved.