What You Should Know About Arc Faults
As a homeowner, there are numerous things to worry about to keep a home safe. Arc faults are just one of them. Although they’re more common in older homes, new constructions with poor wiring can also have arc faults.
The key to protecting a home and belongings is understanding arc faults and staying alert to identify them without delay. This article identifies what arc faults are, what causes them, and how to prevent them.
What is an arc fault?
In the simplest sense, an arc fault is an electric discharge between loose or faulty wires. In other words, if a wire is corroded, resulting in a weak connection, it can create an arc fault. Electricity “jumps” from one end of the corroded or faulty wire to the next, creating an arc.
The arc doesn’t stop electricity from flowing. It only forces it to travel a short distance through the air. However, an arc is inherently unpredictable. Where and how an arc travels is determined by many things, from humidity to the nature of the circuit.
Discharges created by an arc fault also generate heat – and a lot of it. This heat can damage the insulation around the wires or even melt them. The result can be an arc fault that becomes progressively worse as it’s allowed to continue arcing.
One of the telltale signs of an arc fault is a faint buzzing coming from the area in question. But that buzzing may be too weak to hear. An arc fault will smell of melted plastic or burning or have blackened areas from sparking around electrical outlets or wiring.
The difference between arc faults and short circuits
Arc faults can generate a short circuit but aren’t a type of short circuit. And knowing the difference is useful when experiencing a problem with an electrical system.
A short circuit is a result of low resistance between two conductors providing power to a system. In simple terms, when a current travels along an unintended path in a circuit, it “shorts” the circuit. A telltale sign of a short circuit is if a circuit breaker trips to prevent damage to the entire system.
A special cause of a short circuit is a ground fault or fault-to-ground. In a ground fault, electricity doesn’t find a faster path between conductors.
Instead, it’s routed to the “ground” before it manages to complete the circuit. It usually happens when a “hot” wire makes contact with a grounding wire or an electrical box. It also causes an increased flow of electricity and will trip a circuit breaker.
Arc fault protection
The primary weapon against arc faults is vigilance. Buzzing or noises coming from wiring should not be ignored; call an electrician. Additionally, a homeowner can mitigate the consequences of arc faults by installing protection in the home.
Arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) can be installed in the electrical system. While conventional short circuit protection only detects high-level currents and overloads, AFCIs are designed to sense the signs of an arc fault electronically. When a detector identifies an arc fault, a homeowner can consult a professional electrician to find it and resolve the issue before it becomes a larger problem.
Zimmerman Electric is here to serve your residential and commercial electrical needs throughout the Phoenix Valley metro area. Call us today if you need electrical work performed 602-497-3365.
