ESFI Releases AFCI Survey Results
Retrieved on:
Thursday, September 28, 2023
ARLINGTON, Va., Sept. 28, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In July 2023, the Electrical Safety Foundation (ESFI) and The National Electrical Manufacturers Association’s (NEMA) Low Voltage Distribution Equipment Section (LVDE) surveyed electrical contractors with experience in electrical contracting, design, engineering, and planning in Colorado, Georgia, Kentucky, Minnesota, Ohio, Texas, and Washington. The goal of the survey was to gain an understanding of the performance of safety devices required in the National Electrical Code (NEC), including arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) devices in homes.
Key Points:
- The goal of the survey was to gain an understanding of the performance of safety devices required in the National Electrical Code (NEC), including arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) devices in homes.
- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates that 50% of electrical fires can be prevented with proper AFCI protection, either with AFCI breakers in your electrical panel or with AFCI receptacles.
- To gauge the effectiveness of AFCIs in homes, survey respondents were asked about responding to AFCI service calls.
- Common mistakes that survey respondents encountered while checking on tripped overcurrent protection included inadequate circuit protection, overloaded circuits, wiring issues, and surge protection.