Greg, this is one matter with which you and I are in complete agreement; we could probably go on for hours on that tangent!
A way to trace the reason an AFCI is tripping is a fine concept, but there's no way to even field test them for operation. The test button? Please .... don't you think some counterfeiter will just make that an 'off' switch?
I fully expect the AFCI makers to vigorously oppose any attempt to market any manner of AFCI testing equipment. "Proprietary arc forms" and all that hogwash.
Yet another reason my BS detector still rings whan I hear talk of the virtues of AFCI's.
