Arc Fault circuit breakers are new to a lot of homeowners who haven't dealt with electrical codes in the past several years. The new breakers are the result of much study in the industry as to how home fires start and what could be done to prevent them. Some studies reveal that over 150 fires occur in homes across the United States each day due to electrical wiring problems. An arc fault breaker differs from a GFCI in that it detects slow electrical leaks. A slow leak typically occurs when wiring is compromised but not completely shorted. A good example of this would be when a nail punctures a wire behind the wall and a small electrical current begins to build up heat. Another is when a wire nut becomes loose and a small arc forms that builds up temperature between the wire and nearby ground. They can even happen when an outlet or switch connection becomes loose.

Since these are small arcs and not huge amounts of electrical energy coursing through the system to ground, a typical circuit breaker will not detect the leak. You can think of them as sparks or small amounts of electrical energy that generate tons of heat but not a large amount of energy flow. Obviously, they can quickly consume nearby wood and plastic to create a fire. 

Traditional circuit breakers are simply not designed to detect arc faults. They only trip when a lot of energy suddenly flows to ground or passes through the circuit due to a short. They also do not extend protection to connected electrical cords or extension cords that are plugged into your wall outlets.

How it works

These new arc fault circuit interrupters are like "smart" breakers. They actually contain small filters and logic devices that gives them the ability to detect an arc before it produces the heat and sparking that can cause a fire. Once it does, it shuts down the circuit - instantaneously. Even a GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) doesn't have the capability to sense arcs, so homeowners shouldn't mistakenly add these, thinking that they will provide the same level of protection.

The new arc fault circuit breakers first showed up in section 210-12 of the 1999 edition of the National Electric Code. As of 2002, they were required in residential homes for any bedroom circuits since bedrooms were the main rooms where dangerous and life-threatening arcs occurred most often (according to research at the time). Some municipalities are taking it one step further and requiring that all circuits that feed residential living areas be arc fault protected. 

Arc fault breakers are identical in size to regular circuit breakers and they are designed to simply replace any circuit breaker that feeds a bedroom. They cost anywhere from $25 - $50 (cost varies depending upon which panel box you have) and are quite possibly the cheapest fire insurance you can give your home. We recommend consumers consider replacing their existing breakers with arc fault circuit interrupters even if they aren't doing anything that requires an inspection. It just takes minutes and is an easy process.

The new arc fault circuit interrupter breaker is the kind of invention that is quite simply going to save lives. While it will cost the homeowner a little more up front, it is well worth the insurance it provides and is almost certain to become standard in all home outlets in the near future.