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When is a spark an arc? OR - When is an arc a spark?

Just watched some chap on the E5 youtube channel visiting Eaton in Austria. Eaton AFDDs have been something of a subject of ridicule in youtubeland, with various respected electrical content providers demonstrating through various real-world means that they don't function. So, off this chap goes to Eaton's HQ in Vienna where they provide him with a aluminium case full of test kit, complete with the Eaton logo and fitted out with various Eaton devices inside.

One of the devices is the Eaton AFFDD which has famously failed to operate on numerous youtube video presentations.

Of course, it trips when tested with their own test kit. After all, no point in trying to sell something which isn't really needed unless you can demonstrate that it actually works, so Eaton helpfully provides the 'right' arc signature so that the device can trip on command in front of all those cynical doubters.


Apparently, all those heath robinson youtubers have been getting it wrong because they have unhelpfully been simulating real world arcing events which these devices won't actually pick up. You see, according to the 'experts' you need an arc instead of a spark to trip the device! What the hell is the difference?


Oh how I laughed! Is this how far they'll go to flog you some old tat you don't really need?

Just how many different arcs and sparks are there out there? Has anyone told David Attenborough of all these new species to explore?


Feel free to jump in!
Parents
  • Well, I have to say that I am still not sold on the concept. To me, it is a solution looking for a real world problem which is not really significant enough to justify a requirement being written into the wiring regulations to fit one.

    It would seem that the ideal test lab generated arc is the only one which will actually trigger this device, and that all other real world faults would be missed.

    Given that in order to provide protection, one has to be fitted to each individual circuit, then joe public ain't going to be up for chucking a couple of hundred quid extra per circuit for one either. I'm sure these devices have their place, it's just that it hasn't been found yet!

    Time to stop flogging the horse and put it out to grass on this occasion methinks.

    Come back when they're a fiver apiece and that they'll actually detect an intermittent fault on a hoover flex.

    Until then, forget it.
Reply
  • Well, I have to say that I am still not sold on the concept. To me, it is a solution looking for a real world problem which is not really significant enough to justify a requirement being written into the wiring regulations to fit one.

    It would seem that the ideal test lab generated arc is the only one which will actually trigger this device, and that all other real world faults would be missed.

    Given that in order to provide protection, one has to be fitted to each individual circuit, then joe public ain't going to be up for chucking a couple of hundred quid extra per circuit for one either. I'm sure these devices have their place, it's just that it hasn't been found yet!

    Time to stop flogging the horse and put it out to grass on this occasion methinks.

    Come back when they're a fiver apiece and that they'll actually detect an intermittent fault on a hoover flex.

    Until then, forget it.
Children
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