Arc fault Breakers [RE-wrenches]

[Allan Sindelar]

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Wrenches,
As we have done numerous times before, I am forwarding a response on the
AFCI issue from John Wiles.
Allan at PosE

AFCIs and PV

The AFCI issue looks like it has sorted itself out.   Doug Pratt has the
right idea.  All AFCIs are built to the same UL standard and will perform
about the same way.  Changing AFCIs won't fix the problem.  Some AFCIs also
have an unadvertised GFCI function built in.  It is unadvertised because it
doesn't trip at 5-6 ma, but at some slightly higher value.  The GFCI
function may trip in response to AFCI testing and give the impression that
some devices will work with some inverters and not others.

There will always be an on-going discussion about how to test the AFCIs and
GFCIs.  The internal self test is the only way the UL standard (and the
manufacturer) acknowledges that they can be tested.  The external testers
for AFCIs and GFCIs are controversial and some are not even listed devices.

Ever try to test a circuit breaker on a stand-alone inverter?  The inverter
shuts down before the breaker can trip.

Incidentally, UL 1741 will be changed to require all inverters to meet the
5% harmonic distortion level, so the square wave (modified sine wave) units
will lose their listing.   This isn't a bad thing because they will probably
be problematic with AFCIs as they have been with other electronic equipment.

Everyone have an enjoyable Holiday.
If I can provide further information, please do not hesitate to call, e-mail
or fax me.
John

John C. Wiles,  Program Manager
Southwest Technology Development Institute, New Mexico State University
505-646-6105      505-646-3841 (FAX)   http://www.NMSU.Edu/~tdi
SWTDI/NMSU
3705 Research Drive
Box 30001/MSC 3 SOLAR
Las Cruces, NM 88003-8001

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ray Walters" <walters at taosnet.com>
To: <RE-wrenches at topica.com>
Sent: Wednesday, December 21, 2005 11:24 AM
Subject: Re: Arc fault Breakers [RE-wrenches]

To Allan, I've always thought the local inspector was reasonable, but he
has to enforce unreasonable rules sometimes. As far as the breakers
being faulty, I guess that is a possibility since they were installed at
the same time by the same electrician (same vendor). Did you have any
info on what inverters passed the Arc fault test? A DR2424 for example
will outsurge an Outback by a large margin ( 7000 VA vs. 4800 VA) A DR
3624 will surge to 10,000 VA, and an SW or SW+ will also outsurge an
Outback. The faulty breaker theory would be more likely if some passed
and some didn't. Every single one in both houses failed his test, which
makes me continue to suspect the inverter surge rating.

Ray

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