Arc Fault Circuit Interruption (AFCI) technology has been developed to improve wiring safety in electrical system applications. AFCI technology was originally developed for the residential market, and is being fanned out to aerospace, automotive, and appliance cord set applications. AFCI protection devices can also be applied in commercial and industrial electrical systems to enhance electrical wiring safety in these environments.
Numerous devices utilized in the commercial and industrial environment provide electrical safety. Primary protection is usually provided by circuit breakers, which generally protect against overcurrent fault conditions. Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI) are also widely applied for equipment and personnel protection.
AFCI technology can provide a supplemental level of protection against arcing faults that are not large enough to cause an overcurrent circuit condition and do not exhibit the characteristics of ground fault conditions. Yet, the energy generated by arcing faults has been demonstrated to cause fires and result in significant wiring and electrical system damage. AFCI technology is an electronic algorithm that monitors and analyzes the electrical signature of a circuit or branch in a wiring system. When the algorithm detects a fault condition on this circuit, the AFCI algorithm (when coupled with an interruption device) can disable electrical current to the affected circuit. The AFCI circuit must be designed to distinguish between normal and transient conditions, and arc fault conditions, and not cause nuisance trips.
The significance of AFCI technology has been likened to that of smoke detectors. Properly configured, an AFCI protection device can disable circuits that exhibit arcing faults prior to these faults causing fires or resulting in other serious safety conditions, enhancing electrical wiring safety.
Texas Instruments Sensors & Controls Business is a leading developer of AFCI technology. A significant amount of development work is ongoing to bring new AFCI protection devices to market for household, aerospace, and other applications. TI, working directly with OEMs and through industry partners, is providing its Arc Shield ™ AFCI technology for residential and aerospace applications. Leading industrial OEMs are also collaborating with TI to develop and introduce AFCI protection products for commercial and industrial applications.
As AFCI technology matures and is broadly deployed in residential and aerospace applications, fire and electrical code regulations will likely embrace the application of this technology in other applications, including commercial and industrial buildings, to enhance fire safety and equipment and personal protection.
