Do the Standard Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI) Circuit Breakers protect against fire?
Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI) are designed to detect an arcing or jumping of electricity from one point to another (e.g., if someone hammers a nail through a wire). A voltage arc that may jump from part of wire to the nail would be detected. However, an arc-fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) device will not detect a thermal condition in most series circuits or high resistance connections at an outlet. UL Standard 1699 for AFCI’s specifically states that the AFCI does not detect glowing connections.
