Arc fault testing

brosnt1 · Feb 6, 2008

Hello all,
I have my final electrical inspection this week and was wondering if there is a way to test arc fault circuts, other than using the test button? I've heard that the devices on the market for testing them (similar to the gfci circuit testers) do not work as advertized.
Any replys will be greatly appreciated.

Mikey · Feb 6, 2008

You could use a pigtailed light socket with a low-wattage light and just touch the pigtails to the live circuit to make an arc. Dunno if this qualifies as a high-tolerance test, but I doubt it.

Sponsor · 2022-01-29T12:20:58-0800

Speedy Petey · Feb 6, 2008

Why do you need a test other than the test button?

Lakee911 · Feb 6, 2008

Mikey said:
You could use a pigtailed light socket with a low-wattage light and just touch the pigtails to the live circuit to make an arc. Dunno if this qualifies as a high-tolerance test, but I doubt it.

May not work, they should be design to avoid nuisence tripping...this would be a lot like plugging in a lamp that is on and seeing a little arc-it wouldn't trip.

brosnt1 · Feb 7, 2008

All,
thanks for the reply's
I just wanted to make sure they trip before the inspection, for the GFCI's I used a plug in device to check that the wiring is correct, and it has a button to trip the GFCI. I was just wondering if there was a similar way to check the AF.

Mikey · Feb 7, 2008

Apparently not

This article is a couple or 3 years old, but may still be relevant. Bottom line: there's no such thing as an AFCI tester like the common GFCI tester.

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

JWelectric · Feb 8, 2008

Mikey said:
This article is a couple or 3 years old, but may still be relevant. Bottom line: there's no such thing as an AFCI tester like the common GFCI tester.

There is no such thing as a GFCI plugin tester either. Does that item that you plug in and push the button give you a reading of what amount of current caused the GFCI to trip?
NO, then it is not a GFCI tester but instead it is a GFCI tripper.

Mikey · Feb 9, 2008

jwelectric said:
NO, then it is not a GFCI tester but instead it is a GFCI tripper.

I agree and stand corrected. Now we've got to get the vendor(s) to agree

.

http://www.professionalequipment.com/gfci-outlet-tester-sperry-instruments-hgt6120/voltage-testers/http://www.professionalequipment.com/gfci-outlet-tester-sperry-instruments-hgt6120/voltage-testers/http://www.professionalequipment.com/gfci-outlet-tester-sperry-instruments-hgt6120/voltage-testers/

http://www.acehardwareoutlet.com/(cs4aai554yey3z45h15dcxvn)/productDetails.aspx?SKU=3231974

etc.

Arc fault testing

brosnt1

Member

Mikey

Aspiring Old Fart, EE, computer & networking geek

Sponsor

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Speedy Petey

Licensed Electrical Contractor

Lakee911

I&C Engineer (mostly WWTP)

brosnt1

Member

Mikey

Aspiring Old Fart, EE, computer & networking geek

JWelectric

Electrical Contractor/Instructor

Mikey

Aspiring Old Fart, EE, computer & networking geek

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