Pittsburgh Section

The Role of Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters in Residential Electrical Fire Safety

 

Speaker:          Dr. John J. Shea Ph.D., Eaton Corporation

Date:                 Thursday, February 25, 2010

Time:                Social 6:30 PM, Program 7:00 PM

Place:                Westinghouse Energy Center

RSVP:              Dr. Chi Leung, Chi.Leung@metalor.com, or 724-733-8332  ext. 223, by February 22, 2010

Cost:                 No charge

Organizers:     Components, Packaging, and Manufacturing Technology/Electron Devices Societies - and - Women in Engineering (WIE), Affinity Group

 

There are over 28,000 electrical fires each year, injuring over 1000 people, claiming over 360 lives, and destroying over $900 million dollars in property each year in the United States [1].  The CPSC and others have recognized the need for better electrical fire safety devices, spurring the invention of the Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter or AFCI [2].  Residential electrical fire statistics are presented that show where in homes fires frequently occur and what materials are typically involved along with the different types of electrically initiated fires including parallel arcing, series arcing, overheated, and glowing connections. Along with this background, some of the history and details of the new combination AFCI breakers and the residential branch feeder AFCI breakers will be discussed.   These new electronic sensing breakers are designed to sense arcing and trip before a fire can initiate, providing enhanced circuit protection.  Operation and limitations of each type of breaker are also discussed along with the new 2008 National Electrical Code (NEC) requirements pertaining to these devices.

 

This seminar is intended to give the attendee a better understanding of the role of new circuit protective devices available for residential electrical protection, an update on NEC requirements, and a better understanding of the possible conditions that can be created by residential electrical wiring components that may lead to residential fires. 

 

[1]. Residential Building Electrical Fires, FEMA, Topical Fire Report Series vol. 8, issue 2, March 2008.

 

[2]. CPSC, Feb. 24, 1999, release#99-069, CPSC Warns Consumers About Faulty Extension Cords, Power Strips, and Surge Protectors.

 

About the speaker:

 

John J. Shea (M’89-SM’97) received his Bachelors, Masters, and Ph.D. degrees in electrical and computer engineering from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1984, 1986, and 1989, respectively.  Dr. Shea began his career in Pittsburgh, PA with the Westinghouse Science and Technology Lab where he was as a research engineer involved in the testing of high-power circuit breakers and design of power distribution components, electromagnetic launchers, and power supplies for shaped charges.