Description
Currently AFCI protection devices only monitor and protect branch circuits in the home against arc faults. Although the LEDs on the Siemens Combination Type AFCIs can help to point an electrician in the right direction for troubleshooting, these AFCIs do not help to pinpoint the portion of the branch circuit that contained the fault. Arc faults are often intermittent which can make troubleshooting the branch circuit very difficult. In these cases, it is important to determine whether the fault condition exists in the permanent wiring, in connected equipment, or in a power cord. The Siemens Intelli-Arc Diagnostic Tool helps to accurately diagnose the circuit in which a fault has occurred. When used in conjunction with good troubleshooting techniques, this tool allows the electrical contractor to determine and locate the root cause or source of the fault. The Intelli-Arc Diagnostic Tool presents information as to the type and magnitude of fault. Since the fault may not cause an AFCI to trip for various reasons, i.e. duration too short, current level too low, the tool provides an indication showing how close an event is to causing an AFCI to trip. The goal of the diagnostic tool is to speed the troubleshooting process for the electrical contractor. The device drastically improves the accuracy of the troubleshooting process. This, in turn, will significantly reduce the number of visits to the problem site. Every intent of this device is directed as saving the electrical contractor time for each branch circuit that must be evaluated. The Intelli-Arc Diagnostic Tool can be used with any circuit breaker regardless of brand.
