What are Arc-fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCIs)? Why should they be installed in homes? Why mandate AFCIs for newer homes when statistics show the majority of problems have occurred inolder homes? How do you know AFCIs will prevent fires andsave lives? Are AFCIs expensive? Do AFCIs interfere with smoke alarms and appliances, or trip unnecessarily? What is the NEC?
Current retail prices AFCI-type circuit
breakers several national building supply chains are in
the range $35 $40 per unit. Fire safety officials endorse
AFCIs significant step forward electrical fire safety.nfpa. AFCIs prevent such damage errors from
causing fires.
What the NEC?
The NEC the National Electrical Code. The type AFCI currently
available commercially next-generation circuit
breaker that not only provides the conventional safety
functions, but its advanced design also rapidly detects
potentially dangerous arcs and disconnects power the
circuit before fire can start.
Why mandate AFCIs for newer homes when statistics
show the majority problems have occurred in
older homes?
Fire safety officials recommend the use AFCIs all
dwellings but recognize that installation easier and
more affordable during original construction.Keeping Your Community Safe and Energized!
NFPA Batterymarch Park, Quincy, 02169 www. By
eliminating significant source electrically related
fires, future statistics will demonstrate reduction in
fires electrical origin. new edition issued every three years. Arcing the principal electrical failure mode
resulting fire.
Underwriters Laboratories, the National Association
of State Fire Marshals (NASFM), the U.
These state-of-the-art devices identify problems that
current circuit breakers are not designed protect
against, which can result what appears an
unexplained circuit breaker trip.
Do AFCIs interfere with smoke alarms and appliances,
or trip unnecessarily?
AFCIs not interfere with power supply reliability. Once installed, AFCIs provide protection
for the life the electrical system.
Are AFCIs expensive?
The cost the enhanced protection directly related
to the size the dwelling and the number circuits
installed.S. Even for larger homes
with more circuits, the cost increase insignificant
compared the total cost the home and mostly
offset the increased level safety over the life the
equipment. actually identifying
these problems, residents are safer.org
Arc-fault Circuit Interrupters
What are Arc-fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCIs)?
The 2008 National Electrical Code®
(NEC®
) requirement
for AFCI protection considerably expands this fire
prevention technology the majority circuits installed
in new and renovated homes.
. Roughly
half these fires cited arcing factor contributing
to ignition. The NEC evolving
document, developed through open consensus
process.
Why should they installed homes?
AFCIs will save lives and make homes safer. The NEC’s
mission provide practical safeguards from the
hazards that arise from using electricity.
How you know AFCIs will prevent fires and
save lives?
Since 1999, AFCIs have been thoroughly field-tested. Consumer
Product Safety Commission, and many other experts
have found AFCIs reliable and effective. More
importantly, every new home will become older home
with time. Installation errors can occur
at any point. 2005,
there were estimated 20,900 home structure fires that
involved electrical distribution lighting equipment
and resulted 500 civilian deaths, 1,100 civilian injuries,
and $862 million direct property damage. the most
widely adopted safety code for the built environment in
the United States and the world, and the benchmark
for safe electrical installations. More years use mean more opportunities
for cords and wires the house its electrical
appliances damaged
