What is AFCI (Arc-Fault Circuit-Interrupters)

According to related fire hazard data, electrically caused fires, which are mainly due to arc faults, are as high as 30% among all classes of fire hazards. Fires originating in electrical wiring are mainly caused by arc faults. These dangerous arcing events can occur in unreasonable designed or aged wiring, in the connection of a plug into a receptacle, power line inside an appliance, in the cord of an appliance, or insulation of other parts. The features of arc faults are high temperature and short duration. Once a breakdown point appears, it would form carbonized path frequently, and enlarge faults until igniting combustible things nearby and starting a fire. Arc faults are undetected by conventional breakers and protection switch designed for leakage current and over-current, and turn into ultimate hidden trouble of safety in utilizing electric energy.

AFCI （Arc-Fault Circuit-Interrupters）is a latest type of circuit protection device that is designed to prevent fires caused by unwanted arcing events. It has the ability to identify arcs at normal start–up and stopping transients and arc faults, and immediately cut off power supply as soon as detecting an unwanted arc-fault.

　　　　　　　　　　　Market Prospect of AFCI

AFCI technology is an exiting high and new innovation that has proposed as effective means to improve electricity utilization safety. It was first used in aircraft applications, and is now coming into people’s daily life. Arc-Fault Circuit-Interrupter (AFCI) technology is widely used in substituting for leakage protection and protection against over-current and short circuit in power supply system of dwelling houses, and has a broad prospect in the application of protection of household appliances. It is predicated that applications of AFCI technology will mount up rapidly and have tremendous market potential. AFCI cord sets are required on room air conditioners manufactures for sale in the United States after August 1,2004. Europe and our country are constituting relevant compulsive safe standards to promote and enlarge the range of application of AFCI technology, so that it can play a role of protecting people and property from dangerous arc faults.

　　　　　　　　　　　　　Why Choose AFCI from SANMA

SANMA has been dedicating to the development of AFCI technology for a long time. The products possess independent intellectual property rights, and have applied for various patent protections. The AFCI technology of SANMA has achieved advanced stage compared with similar products in the world, and there are not any relevant reports on the development of similar products at home. AFCI devices produced by SANMA are in strict compliance with UL 1699, and have been applying for UL certification. Our company has developed Cord AFCIs already, which combine the detection and protection against arc faults, leakage current, over-current and short-circuit into one. The devices are applied to household electric appliances such as air conditioners, microwaves, dust collectors, warm air blowers, driers, water heaters, etc. Fixed (Branch/Feeder) AFCIs that are applied to power supply protection of offices and dwellings will be promoted in the near future.

Features of HMA-120/15 Three in One Power Protector

1.Updated substitute products for traditional protection devices for leakage current and short-circuit. Ability to protect against not only arc faults but also leakage current, over-current and short-circuit.

2.Use SCM to make intelligentized determination of arc faults and process program control.

3.Ability to differentiate among normal current, arc and arc faults—no false operation under normal current or at normal load start–up and stopping transients. The min detectability of arc faults is 1A.

4.Ability to differentiate between arc faults and silicon controlled current.

5.High reliability: no fail due to various circs; Insensitivity to transient cross–talk signals, and compliance with the EMC international standard.

6.Beautiful streamline appearance that is body curve sculpt; Enclosure which is made of PC plastic is flame retardant and fire-resistant, and its structure can endure high strength shock.

7.Safe screw avoiding appliances being dismantled by laymen; Unattached area for gland bush of external cables, which makes it impossible to be dismantled while in functional mode and makes the installation of cables easy and firm, avoiding the looseness and poor contact due to various external forces.

8.Identify the state of button “RESET” by the height of embossment and loop type on the button, or by LED either; Button “TEST” for leakage test

　　Main Technological Index (American Standards)

1. Rated voltage: 120±10% VAC

2. Rated current: 15 A

3. Rated power supply frequency: 60Hz

4. Minimum arc-fault operating current: 1A

5. Rated residual operating current: 20mA

6. Rated residual non-operating current: 10mA

7. Over-current operating current: 3 to 5 times of rated current

8. Maximum interrupting capacity: 2000A

9. Working temperature: －20℃－50℃

10. Maximum relative humidity: <95%