Developed by the NEMA Low Voltage Distribution Section (LVDE), NEMA’s white paper, Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters and Home Appliances (NEMA
BS 31026-2023) reveals that AFCIs are protecting over 60 million appliances with a very small number of documented reports of unwanted tripping. NEMA BS 31026-2023, dives into the data and research that confirm the safety that Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters
(AFCIs) provide to prevent electrical fires in homes. Put simply, AFCIs are compatible with home appliances and an effective technology vital for the protection of American families.
What exactly do AFCIs do and how do they help protect homes? AFCIs work by detecting arcing faults in electrical wiring and automatically de-energize the circuit to prevent a fire from starting. Within this white paper, NEMA presents data covering home
appliances that are protected by AFCIs including microwaves, refrigerators, vacuums, washing machines, dishwashers.
The white paper also includes the results from an Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) survey of electrical contractors in Massachusetts. The results drive home the power that AFCIs bring to protect homes. The survey showed an average of
16 calls per week related to tripped circuit breakers or fuses. Almost all of the incidents occurred due to damaged wiring or overloaded circuits. AFCIs helped pinpoint 18% of the issues and the contractors reported no problems with the AFCI devices
themselves. Since 2020, Massachusetts has implemented some of the most extensive AFCI requirements in the country covering homes including appliances.
“The information in this new white paper clearly indicates that adoption and proper enforcement of AFCI protection requirements in the National Electrical Code® (NEC) will not result in home appliance compatibility issues and shown to be one
of the most effective means to mitigate residential electrical fires.” says Keith Waters, Industry Standards Manager at Schneider Electric and member of the NEMA Low Voltage Distribution Section (LVDE).