Arc Fault Protection – Keeping Homes and Businesses Safe
Safety in your home should always be your number one priority. Without the proper safety measures in your home you can be at risk for arc faults which are the leading cause of electrical fires in homes. An arc fault occurs when current sparks through an unintended path, like a damaged wire or loose connection. This can create excessive heat that has the potential to ignite surrounding materials and cause a fire. In order to combat this dangerous possibility it is crucial that you install Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCIs) throughout your home. This will ensure that your home is safe from electrical fires.
What is an Arc Fault?
An Arc Fault is an unintended discharge between conductors. Essentially this means that there is a spark created when there is damage in the path the electricity is trying to take. There are many things that can cause this damage, things like damaged wires, loose connections, old cords, or even rodent damage.
This can very quickly become an issue because when these arc faults occur they generate intense heat. This heat can then ignite the surrounding material and result in a house fire. Worst of all is that it is very often undetected until a fire starts.
It is reported that roughly 20% of all house fires in Canada are due to electrical issues. With over 10,000 residential fires in 2020 that means that over 2000 could have been prevented by ensuring proper electrical safety within the home.
How Arc Fault Protection Works
Arc-fault circuit interrupters can either be installed at your circuit breaker or at specific receptacles. They are able to distinguish between normal and harmless arcs, and dangerous unwanted arcs that are caused by damaged wiring or loose connections. When the AFCI identifies a dangerous arc it will de-energize the circuit, preventing potential fires.
Your typical circuit breaker will serve its purpose to interrupt the current flow during an overload or a short circuit. This will prevent damage to equipment and wiring but it will not identify arc’s the same way as an AFCI will. This leads you to being succeptible to arcs that can lead to a fire
Benefits of Arc Fault Protection
- Fire Prevention: The biggest safety advantage.
- Peace of Mind: Extra layer of protection for families, businesses, and property.
- Compliance: Helps meet electrical codes and standards.
- Long-Term Savings: Reduced risk of costly fire damage and insurance issues.
Where Should Arc Fault Protection Be Used?
According to the Canadian Electrical Code arc fault protection is required in Ontario for 125V, 15A, and 20A circuits supplying receptacles in dwelling units. This means anything supplying power to bedrooms, living rooms, hallways, kitchens, offices, etc. This code is enforced by the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA).
If you’re unsure if your home has AFCI protection, reach out to a licensed electrician to take a look and see if your home is safe.
Arc Fault Protection vs. Ground Fault Protection
While both crucially important AFCI and GFCI serve two distinct purposes. As we’ve mentioned your AFCIs are there to protect you against fires caused by arcing. While GFCI is there to protect you against shock hazards from water/electricity contact. These are often used in tandem to ensure safety in your home from any potential electrical issues that could cause harm to you or your family.
Conclusion
Arc faults are hidden, you won’t know about them until it’s too late. Protecting you and your family against them with proper installation of AFCIs is an essential upgrade not only for safety and code compliance, but also for your peace of mind.
If you’re unsure whether or not your home currently has AFCI or you want to look into getting them installed, reach out to us at Penfold Electric (365-886-1294) and we’ll give you a free consultation. Expect Tenfold from Penfold!