The security device of an arc fault, leakage currents and overload - perhaps the best version of the integrated protection device

The most important hub in any home network is a switchboard. And more often than in the panel, you can see several circuit breakers and RCD or differential automata and the opening gun. It is extremely rare to find Spark resistant device, but to find a device, which will be combined arc protection device, short circuit and leakage current is almost impossible. It's about this device is still very rare AFDD-32/2 / C / 003 and will be discussed.

This material was created with the active support of my good friends company representatives EATON.

Appearance and equipment

Thus, the unit arrived here in a box, where in addition to him were also instructions in several languages, and a reminder of how often you need to check the device.

And also quite curious reminder of the correct connection and with a breakdown of light indication on the product. Here, as they say, everything is clear without much explanation:

How does AFDD

Let's find out how the product feels a spark in the wiring and a physical process in this case is taken into account.

Thus, the product produces a constant monitoring of the current range, which flows through it.

As soon as anywhere on the network process sparking begins, first distorted sine wave: it gets torn, "noisy" appearance. In this case the current and voltage in the network start to change and irregular noise is generated.

But if the protective device responds to the presence of these components, the false positives would be unacceptable lots. That is why modern protective high quality and reliability of the device is also controlled by the following parameters: value, type, polarity, duration and sustainable manner jumps - thanks to this single arcs, for example, when you connect the plug into the outlet, do not cause tripping AFDD +.

At the same time, according to regulatory documents, protection devices must fulfill three main objectives:

1) to produce a current analysis and to understand that it is precisely the source of the burning arc, and not load;

2) to find out what is the degree of danger of the arc, depending on its intensity, because, as we have already noted, the banal plugging in does not lead to protection operation of the device;

3) Once the tasks 1 and 2 are solved and a danger event was confirmed, the machine shall disconnect the damaged portion in a regulated time.

At the same time on the machine there is no manual settings, ie all operating parameters calculated at the factory.

practical tests

So, with the theory, like, everything is clear, let's move on to the practical testing of the protective device and for starting Check the operation of the circuit breaker, namely thermal and electromagnetic release. We have AFDD designed for 32ampere and it has a tripping characteristic "C".

Result of checking

As you can see, after the light is blinking amber certain number of times, which corresponds to a particular type of damage. So you will know what kind of damage you defended this unit.

Now let's check the operation of the RCD. In our apparatus RCD is designed for leakage current 30 mA.

To check if enough voltage applied simply press the TEST button, thus we imitate a leakage current.

Now let's we make the most important test, namely the ability of the safety device to disconnect the damaged line during the formation of arc flash.

As you can see, all kinds of protections are functioning perfectly. It should be noted that the "hand" to simulate static, as is the case in practice, damaged sparking cable can be difficult, and the resulting non-recurring breakdowns should not lead to shutdown device.

Why AFDD-32/2 / C / 003, I think the ideal machine protection

In this apparatus from the company EATON in one case are combined several devices that provide maximum safety wiring, and to understand what type of protection tripped, can be on the Information indicator.

Also, such a combination can significantly save space in the control panel, which is important in the old housing stock.

Yet the phone has overvoltage protection, which to some extent replace the relay control voltage.

Perhaps the only drawback I can mention is that in the event of failure of one of the types of protection will have to change the whole apparatus, and it is quite good money.

In general, if you decide to upgrade (or to organize from scratch) reliable wiring is protected from all possible types of damage, the AFDD from the company EATON just the perfect solution. By the way, the company has your channel on our favorite "Zen."

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