There is no such thing as an AFCI Tester!

While checking into a AFCI question I came across some interesting info.

There is no such thing as an AFCI tester, only AFCI indicators. :shock:

Check out this article from the IAEI, (International Association Of Electrical Inspectors)

http://www.iaei.org/magazine/05_c/pauley.htm

Here is the last paragraph of the Article

Quote

Summary
The bottom line is that the test button on the AFCI is the only recognized method for testing the proper operation of the AFCI. An AFCI indicator may be a nice way to determine if a particular circuit is connected to an AFCI, but it provides no definitive answer on whether an AFCI is properly working or not.

Anyone here spend good money on a 'Tester' only to find it is an 'Indicator'?

Why is it that all things AFCI associated are questionable? [Linked Image]

I remember the long discussion we had a couple of years ago in which the subject of testing these devices came up.

It seems to me that to fully exercise all the conditions the AFCI will (supposedly) detect would need a rather complex and expensive tester.

I'm glad we don't have to worry about AFIs over here.

[This message has been edited by pauluk (edited 11-13-2005).]

** Slight Thread Jack **

The question I would like to know the answer to is:

Has anyone been called to a service call of a tripped AFCI?
I'm not talking about an AFCI that won't work reset upon initial install, but an AFCI actually doing it's job and preventing a posible fire. I haven't.

I had one pick out a faulty keyless fixture. First AFCI I ever installed, put it on some K&T and it tripped immediately. Began isolating parts of the circuit until I traced it back to an attic keyless. Wouldn't trip on a new keyless, but went every time on the old one. No signs or sounds of arcing, so I'm guessing it was the GFP function. Don't have a megger but a multimeter didn't find any low resistant connections.

Who knows? [Linked Image]

-John