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How AFCI Devices Prevent Electrical Fires

How AFCI Devices Help Prevent Electrical Fires

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), electrical failure or malfunctions cause roughly 45,000 home fires a year. These same fires have resulted in more than 350 deaths, around 1,300 injuries on average, and over one billion dollars in property damage. So, what device helps prevent electrical fires? With AFCI protection and professional electrical services, homeowners can enjoy greater peace of mind regarding the safety of their loved ones and their property. Learn more about AFCIs below.

AFCI: The Basics

Arc-fault circuit interrupters or AFCIs are devices that detect an electrical arc and shut it off in order to prevent fires. Accordingly, properly installed AFCI protection can help prevent electrical fires in your home. As the Electrical Safety Foundation International highlights, some estimates suggest that more than 50% of electrical fires may be prevented with AFCI devices. As such, the National Electric Code (NEC) requires them in multiple rooms throughout the home including bedrooms, kitchens and more. We rely on our homes for safety, and AFCIs serve a vital purpose in the security of our homes and families. Therefore, it's important for homeowners to understand how and why they work.

What is an arc fault?

AFCISafety provides a technical definition of an arc fault:

"An arc fault is an unintended arc created by current flowing through an unplanned path. Arcing creates high intensity heating at the point of the arc resulting in burning particles that may easily ignite surrounding material, such as wood framing or insulation. The temperatures of these arcs can exceed 10,000 degrees Fahrenheit."

In other words, an arc fault creates a dangerous electrical problem caused by damaged, overheated, or stressed electrical wiring or devices. For example, arc faults can occur when older wires become frayed or cracked. They may also happen when a nail or screw used during a home improvement project damages a wire behind a wall. However, an AFCI is a device that detects this electrical arc and shuts it off to prevent fires.

What is an AFCI?

The purpose of an AFCI is to protect the circuit from being a source of an electrical fire. When AFCIs are in place, they can distinguish between a harmless arc that occurs, as might accompany the normal use of switches and plugs, from an undesirable arc which may result from something like a broken conductor in a lamp cord. When an AFCI detects a dangerous electrical arc, an AFCI device breaks the circuit in order to prevent electrical fires. Additionally, there are different types of AFCI devices such as a duplex receptacle or circuit breaker.

What are the types of AFCI devices?

Homeowners looking to add AFCIs to aid in electrical fire prevention and protection should note that various AFCI products are available. As further discussed at AFCISafety, the National Electric Code (NEC) requires the listing of AFCIs. Listing products requires evaluation by a nationally recognized testing laboratory and that they meet the designated national standard. The NEC sets the requirements for AFCI use.

  • AFCI Receptacle

An AFCI receptacle provides protection from arc faults beyond branch circuit wiring extending to appliances and cords plugged into the receptacle. This device supports enhanced fire protection and protects all downstream wire and appliances from both parallel and series arcs. (A series arc is an arc along the same conductor at connections, and a parallel arc is an arc between hot and neutral conductor or between the hot and ground conductor.) Additionally, AFCI receptacles protect series arcs upstream in the wiring between the source and the first outlet of the circuit.

  • AFCI Circuit Breaker

AFCI protection was originally required by the 1999 National Electrical Code with certain circuit breakers. As this ESFI fuse and breaker comparison chart shows, the first-generation AFCI device provides moderate fire prevention, while the AFCI combination breaker provides enhanced fire protection.

AFCIs & GFCIs: Understanding the Difference

In conjunction with AFCI protection, homeowners should also utilize GFCIs. Then, these devices can work together to provide the most complete protection. Again, the primary function of the AFCI is to protect the branch circuit wiring from dangerous arcing faults that could initiate an electrical fire. A GFCI or ground fault circuit interrupter is a device that shuts off an electric power circuit when it detects that current is flowing along an unintended path, such as through water or a person.

Both GFCI receptacles and GFCI circuit breakers protect by interrupting the circuit when a ground fault is detected. GFCI circuit breakers are installed directly into an electrical system, while GFCI receptacles are typically integrated at outlets. Ground fault protection is particularly important for circuit outlets in areas where electrical equipment is near water, such as bathroom or kitchen sinks.

The major difference between GFCI and AFCI protection is in their primary purposes. The GFCI helps protect people from electric shock hazards related to a ground fault (as OSHA notes). Conversely, AFCIs are intended to help prevent electrical fires due to arcing faults. So, GFCIs may benefit people directly against potential electrical impact, and AFCIs protect properties from electrical fire hazards that could harm residents. This AFCI v. GFCI infographic further illustrates the distinctions between these protective devices and how both can be used in your home.

The Importance of Routine Electrical Inspections and AFCI Protection

Many home maintenance and home improvement efforts can be DIY efforts by homeowners, but ensuring electrical safety should not be addressed in this manner. Instead, it is best to hire a professional electrical contractor. Experts such as the ones at Snappy are trained in electrical safety, so taking advantage of their expertise and services best helps homeowners protect their homes and loved ones.

Importantly, electrical systems should be routinely inspected. Whole home electrical safety inspections help ensure that potential system problems can be identified and addressed. Therefore, these evaluations also help prevent bigger issues from occurring due to recommended and completed updates, such as AFCI protection. Additionally, homes older than 40 years or those that have recently undergone a major addition, renovation or large appliance installation also require inspections.

Do AFCI breakers entirely prevent fires from happening in the home? While fires unfortunately may derive from many different sources, the objective of an AFCI is to protect the circuit from being a source of an electrical fire. For AFCI protection, homeowners will need to update circuit breakers from standard breakers to those designed for detecting arcing and sparking, which cause electrical fires. For additional tips on preventing electrical fires, check out this guide to preventing electrical fires.

At Snappy, we provide a number of vital electrical services, including switch/outlet repair and replacement, wiring repair and replacement, breaker panel repair and replacement and more. Plus, our dedicated team offers 24-hour emergency services for your unexpected plumbing, electrical and HVAC needs. In performing these services, our team also aims to provide peace of mind for our customers regarding their own safety and comfort, as well as the well-being and functionality of their homes. If you experience any electrical emergencies or would like to schedule an electrical inspection or other improvement, then contact us today!