Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupters

• Worn electrical insulation or damaged wire
• Misapplied or damaged plug-in appliances and equipment
• Loose electrical connections

Standard circuit breakers protect wires from overload and short circuit conditions. The Siemens and Murray Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupters provide the additional protection of detecting arcing faults (an unintentional arcing condition in a circuit) that standard circuit breakers are unable to detect.  An arc-fault interrupter is a device intended to provide protection from the effects of arc-faults by de-energizing the circuit when an arc-fault is detected.

This additional protection makes homes safer.  The 1999 National Electric Code, Section 210-12, requires all 15 and 20 amp, single phase, 125 volt branch circuit receptacle outlets installed in bedrooms to be protected by arc-fault breakers.  This NEC requirement will become effective for new construction beginning January 1, 2002.  Even though not mandated until January, arc-fault interrupters are available from our stock now to improve the level of protection on new and existing dwellings.

Siemens and Murray AFCI circuit breakers are UL listed per Standard 1699 to meet the requirements of the National Electric Code Article 210-12.  In addition to sensing and reacting to protect wiring from overloads and short circuits, the AFCI will detect and trip the circuit breaker when an arcing fault occurs.

Note:  The AFCI white neutral line (pigtail) must be connected to the panel neutral for the device to function.  Both the load power and load neutral conductors are terminated at the circuit breakers.