NEMA addresses AFCI/Home Electrical Product Compatibility.

Press Release Summary:



Developed by NEMA's Molded Case Circuit Breakers Product Group, ABP 2-2011 Recommendations on AFCI/Home Electrical Product Compatibility provides designers of home electrical products (HEPs) with information on operating parameters of arc-fault circuit interrupters, with goal of avoiding unwanted tripping of AFCI. ABP 2 offers guidance for designing HEPs operating at 120 Vac and rated at 20 A or less, and discusses ground-fault current, peak currents, and high frequency emissions.



Original Press Release:



NEMA Publishes ABP 2-2011 Recommendations on AFCI / Home Electrical Product Compatibility



ROSSLYN, Va., - The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) has published ABP 2-2011 Recommendations on AFCI / Home Electrical Product Compatibility, developed by NEMA's Molded Case Circuit Breakers Product Group.

This new guide provides designers of home electrical products (HEPs) with information on the operating parameters of arc-fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs), with the goal of avoiding conditions in which the HEP could cause the unwanted tripping of an AFCI.

AFCIs analyze electrical noise to identify signs of harmful electrical arcs, which can cause fires. HEPs can produce similar noise and waveform characteristics, sometimes resulting in AFCI operation. This paper aims to avoid these areas of conflict.

ABP 2 offers guidance for designing HEPs operating at 120 Vac and rated at 20 amps or less; examples of these products include all domestic appliances, computers, home gyms, audio and video equipment, lighting, and power tools. Characteristics discussed in this guide include ground-fault current, peak currents, and high frequency emissions.

ABP 2 may be downloaded at no charge by visiting www.nema.org/stds/abp2.cfm. For more information about AFCIs, go to www.AFCIsafety.org.

NEMA is the association of electrical and medical imaging equipment manufacturers. Founded in 1926 and headquartered near Washington, D.C., its approximately 450 member companies manufacture products used in the generation, transmission and distribution, control, and end use of electricity. These products are used in utility, industrial, commercial, institutional, and residential applications. The association's Medical Imaging & Technology Alliance (MITA) Division represents manufacturers of cutting-edge medical diagnostic imaging equipment including MRI, CT, x-ray, and ultrasound products. Worldwide sales of NEMA-scope products exceed $120 billion. In addition to its headquarters in Rosslyn, Virginia, NEMA also has offices in Beijing and Mexico City.

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