| Author |
Message |
niles steckbauer (Niles500)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, April 17, 2005 - 3:33 pm: | |
Recent threads have been argumentative regarding the use of various types of electrical wiring in coach wiring systems - I sat back waiting to see if any one would suggest the use of Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters as a safety feature for all wiring circuits not required to use GFI's - not to rehash the subject - but have any of you used or considered using Arc Faults - they have been required and used in some types of conventional housing for some time (especially in conjunction with quick connect receps and switches) - they seem like quick, easy and inexpensive "insurance" for all of our buses - the link below gives a cursory explantion of their function -
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/afcifac8.pdf
Go ahead and have at it - whilst I step in this soundproof bunker - |
John that newguy
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, April 17, 2005 - 9:54 pm: | |
If the power supplied to the RV is reversed (hot and ground), or
the ground is deficient, are either of devices going to do their job
in their designed manner? |
Brian Brown (Fishbowlbrian)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, April 18, 2005 - 1:53 am: | |
AFCI's are required in the current NEC for new construction bedroom receptacle circuits. These devices do detect many types of arcing. GFCI’s detect ground faults, so they will protect against shocks, whereas AFCI’s protect against certain arcing fire hazards. The ideal protection device would incorporate both detection technologies.
There is a certain amount of nuisance tripping issues with each device that must be considered. Motor loads might cause an AFCI to trip. Likewise GFCI’s have been problematic with certain inverters, IIRC.
I’d love for Sean, JJ, or other electrical gurus to share some of their knowledge with us on this topic…
Brian |
FAST FRED
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, April 18, 2005 - 6:19 am: | |
"These devices do detect many types of arcing. GFCI’s detect ground faults, so they will protect against shocks, whereas AFCI’s protect against certain arcing fire hazards. The ideal protection device would incorporate both detection technologies."
AMEN!
The only other electrical safty item would be a BRICKWALL or similar device to get rid (as much as you can) an electrical surge , or lightning strike on the RV's supply power.
FAST FRED |
John Jewett (Jayjay)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, April 19, 2005 - 9:44 am: | |
NEC Article(s) 210.12(a,b) Residences, and 550.25 Mobile Homes, both require AFCI's in the bedroom (new construction only), BUT...Many experts feel this is a poorly promulgated rule in that the AFCI is an offshoot of an industrial application, most commonly seen in hazardous locations such as chemical plants, coal processing plants, and other areas of highly explosive/flammable conditions. AFCI's were forced on the NEC codemaking bodies by misguided safety activists, rather than rules brought about by field experience, like the rest of the code. It is still an emerging technology and replete with problems, including false tripping and freezing up ( a real hazard in itself!). Originally designed for three phase application, many of the single phase (read CHEAPLY built)units on the market are downright dangerous, especially since they are part of the "me too" syndrome, and usually made offshore (even when marketed under a well known American "name" brand). I don't have dates, but within the last year or so there were disparaging related articles in: The Wall Street Journal, Forbe's, and The Engineering New Report. Cheers...JJ |
Mike (Busone)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, April 19, 2005 - 9:01 pm: | |
Yeah I know what they mean about new technology. My parents house was built in the 1970s and had one GFCI in the bathroom that also "protected" the back patio outlet. When I was about 4 or 5 my friend and I decided to stick a piece of old wire in it. The GFCI did not do a damn thing. We both learned a new respect for electricity and my mom grew another grey hair. |
John that newguy
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, April 19, 2005 - 9:29 pm: | |
The best protection is education; let 'em legislate -that-. |
John Jewett (Jayjay)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, April 19, 2005 - 10:16 pm: | |
Hey Mike, I was at a NEC Seminar not long ago, and a GFCI Mfg. Rep said that it will trip fast enough that you could use your tongue to trip it and not even feel it. Several of us offered to put up a $100.00 bill each on a bet, to get him to show us, but he gracefully declined. Hmmm! ...JJ |
niles steckbauer (Niles500)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, April 20, 2005 - 11:09 am: | |
That would truly be putting your money where your mouth (...errr...tongue) is - Niles |