Fireproofing your grow area
Fireproofing your grow area
arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCI)
What is an Arc Fault?
An arc is a discharge of electric current across a gap.
Many of us have seen an arc such as from an arc welder or sparks from a downed power line.
An arc fault is an unintended arc flowing through an unintentional path.
Common causes for arc faults in a house are:
* Loose or improper connections, such as electrical wires to outlets or switches
* Frayed or ruptured appliance or extension cords
* Pinched or pierced wire insulation, such as a wire inside a wall nipped by a nail or screw or a chair leg setting on an extension cord
* Cracked wire insulation stemming from age, heat, corrosion or bending stress
* Overheated wire or cords
* Damaged electrical appliances
* Wires or cords touching vibrating metal
* Electrical wire insulation chewed by rodents
When an arc fault occurs inside the walls or ceiling, or inside an electrical appliance, temperatures can exceed 10,000° F. Nearby combustibles like wood studs or insulation can be ignited by an electrical arc.
Fortunately, companies have developed arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCI) to help avoid fires caused by arc faults. They look and work just like conventional circuit breakers and fit into electrical panels in the same way. But they provide additional protection against arc faults.
Conventional circuit breakers "trip" if an overload or short circuit is detected, which shuts off the electrical power. They protect against overloads and short circuits with thermal and magnetic protection, respectively.
AFCIs, however, not only protect against overloads and short circuits, they can also electronically sense arcing and "trip."
http://www.statefarm.com/consumer/v...ticles/afci.htm
Fireproofing your grow area
http://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=24347
IMB
Fireproofing your grow area
arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCI)
What is an Arc Fault?
An arc is a discharge of electric current across a gap.
Many of us have seen an arc such as from an arc welder or sparks from a downed power line.
An arc fault is an unintended arc flowing through an unintentional path.
Common causes for arc faults in a house are:
* Loose or improper connections, such as electrical wires to outlets or switches
* Frayed or ruptured appliance or extension cords
* Pinched or pierced wire insulation, such as a wire inside a wall nipped by a nail or screw or a chair leg setting on an extension cord
* Cracked wire insulation stemming from age, heat, corrosion or bending stress
* Overheated wire or cords
* Damaged electrical appliances
* Wires or cords touching vibrating metal
* Electrical wire insulation chewed by rodents
When an arc fault occurs inside the walls or ceiling, or inside an electrical appliance, temperatures can exceed 10,000° F. Nearby combustibles like wood studs or insulation can be ignited by an electrical arc.
Fortunately, companies have developed arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCI) to help avoid fires caused by arc faults. They look and work just like conventional circuit breakers and fit into electrical panels in the same way. But they provide additional protection against arc faults.
Conventional circuit breakers "trip" if an overload or short circuit is detected, which shuts off the electrical power. They protect against overloads and short circuits with thermal and magnetic protection, respectively.
AFCIs, however, not only protect against overloads and short circuits, they can also electronically sense arcing and "trip."
http://www.statefarm.com/consumer/v...ticles/afci.htm
Fireproofing your grow area
http://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=24347
IMB
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