power line comms, while an abomination that should never have been allowed, from an EMC perspective, normally only puts signals between the L-N pair, and at fairly low levels compared to other line transients.

Kit that complies to one of the common standards TIA-1113 (HomePlug 1.0), IEEE 1901 and. ITU-T G.hn (G.9960–G.9964)  should only be injecting signals at the level of 1.5 to 2V RMS when loaded to 100 ohms,

like this chip, the JSL1571 for example..

To be honest if the AFDD designers did not consider inter-operation with systems like this then they have dropped another clanger..

M,

mapj1 said:

To be honest if the AFDD designers did not consider inter-operation with systems like this then they have dropped another clanger..

It was only a question - and a note that it's been questioned in the US, where they have emissions requirements for EMC, but not immunity.

So, it may have been considered ?

BUT ... another consideration is that the powerline comms set isn't itself may not be conformant to EMC requirements, or has a fault. That isn't the fault of the AFDD manufacturers?

I won't ask what the other "clangers" are considered to be.

Update.

Thanks for all the replies.Very useful. 

I had eleven AFDDs in the board. I replaced three with RCBOs.

Now, other AFDDs are randomly tripping, but the RCBOs are not.

I have returned and checked all the connections back to the meter, tightening them to the required torque settings. I also took a picture of the board. You can see the heat in the AFDDs; they’re not hot but hotter than the RCBOs—this may or may not be an issue; I don’t know. They seem hotter when grouped together.

I could replace all the AFDDs with RCBOs, but I could be masking a potential fault.

I’m waiting for a reply from the manufacturer on Monday. I’ll then contact the DNO.

I had a similar problem - also with Contactum.  Tackling AFDD Tripping 

In the end I removed them and put in standard RCBOs.

Looking at that picture, I'm wondering how many watts those AFDDs are using internally? I dont think it would be the current flow through them causing the heat build up, as the other breakers would be of a similar colour.

What temperature is the brightest yellow?

It's not very hot. The image at the top left says 23 degrees. The microprocessor is likely generating the heat.

I had a quick scan. It seems that you have had pretty much the same issue – with the same outcome – I’m going back tomorrow to replace the remaining eight AFDDs with RCBOs.

I’m sure the installation is sound. This means I have an unreliable product tripping because it thinks there’s an ARC fault when there’s not, or there’s an upstream issue causing the devices to trip. I don’t think it’s the former, as it would be highly unlikely for eleven devices to become faulty at the same time. So, it could be the latter, and I have no control over that; I can't test it or prove it.

If an AFDD can trip due to upstream issues or reading noise on the system as an arc when it’s not, then doesn’t that make the device inherently unreliable? Considering that they are mandated for high-risk properties, doesn’t that then make them potentially… I don’t want to say ‘dangerous’; perhaps ‘risky’?

 As I’ve experienced a fault I can’t trace on a device I can’t test, I won't be recommending them in the future. 120.3 allows for departure, but not sure me stating, “ I had a bad experience with AFDDs once” qualifies 

Whoopsie! Time to hit the backspace on my departure box, was hoping to get away with Not installed due to engX forum critics.

On a serious note, how reliable are these devices in UK conditions? Has anyone carried out a survey/report/study on this? Does anyone install these on mass? Can they provide any feedback on reliability?

We have just had a visit from an American friend and were discussing all sorts of technical things. He said that the Arc Fault Detection Devices were causing all sorts of problems.

The usual types of well pumps and air conditioners which have contactors trip the AFDDs due to contact arcing so now everyone has to install inverter fed systems. This has resulted in major harmonic problems in the power supply system. I guess that this isn’t helped by the widely spaced properties and long overhead lines.