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According to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), an estimated 67,800 fires, 485 deaths, and approximately
2,300 injuries occur each year that can be associated with home wiring totaling $868 million in property losses.
a The CPSC estimates that “AFCI devices currently on the market may address 50% or more of these fires.” b The National Electric Code® has responded to this identified problem by requiring the use of AFCIs beginning with the 1999 version of the NEC and continuing that focus on safety with a requirement from combination AFCI beginning January 1, 2008, according to the 2005 NEC®.
The issue is so significant that the U.S. CPSC and the
National Association of State Fire Marshalls (NASFM) are promoting the use of AFCI protection in both new and existing homes.
The Combination AFCI is the latest technology that provides maximum available protection against the effects of arcing faults.
a On the Safety Circuit: A Fact Sheet on Home Electrical Fire Prevention
United States Fire Administration (2006) b Oct.1, 2002 CPSC–NFPA Technical Committee Document Proposal
Form
Let’s begin with what a Combination AFCI is NOT.
It is not a replacement for a Ground Fault Circuit
Interrupter (GFCI). A GFCI is intended for personal protection and interrupts the circuit to the load when the ground fault current exceeds 6mA, but not when the ground fault current is 4mA or less. An AFCI is “a device intended to mitigate the effects of arcing faults by functioning to de-energize the circuit when an arc-fault is detected.”* These are very different functions for very different applications. Neither device can replace the need for the other.
* UL 1699 Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (Second Edition)
The Branch/Feeder AFCI can only detect line-to-neutral and line-to-ground arcing faults, as illustrated above.
A Combination Type AFCI detects all three types of arcing: line-to-neutral, line-to-ground, and series arcing. The Combination Type AFCI differs from the Branch/Feeder AFCI in its ability to detect series arcing faults.

 Conventional circuit breakers have two
tripping mechanisms w The short circuit or magnetic trip
(electromagnetic element)
4 Occurs when two current-carrying
conductors touch and a low resistance
path for current between the
conductors is created
4 Results in a surge current that will
quickly trip a standard circuit breaker
(bimetal element)
4 Occurs when the rated capacity of
the circuit breaker is exceeded
because additional devices are
added to a circuit or existing devices
require additional current
 AFCIs have the same tripping mechanisms
above PLUS w Arcing fault trip (electronic)
4 Results from brief, intermittent
current flow between current-carrying
conductors
4 Sporadic and high-resistance in nature
4 Results in low-level current surges
that are unlikely to trip a conventional
circuit breaker due to the sporadic
characteristics
Current
3

4
Siemens features unique trip indicators on each AFCI product, providing a valuable analysis tool to help electricians pinpoint the type of trip. These indicators are in the form of LEDs that appear near the handle of the breaker. The LED indications will appear for 5 seconds each time the AFCI is turned “ON” up to 30 days after the last trip. One LED will be illuminated if the last trip was a result of an arcing fault. On the
2-pole AFCI, the leg on which the arcing fault was detected can be determined based on which single
LED was illuminated. Two LEDs (three LEDs on the
2-pole AFCI) will be illuminated if the last trip was a result of an arcing fault to ground. No indication will be displayed if the AFCI trips as a result of an overcurrent condition. This last known trip indication can also be cleared from memory to assist with verifying resolution of the problem.
1-pole CAFCI LED indication guide
LED indicator
LED (A)
OFF
ON
ON
LED (B)
OFF
OFF
ON
2-pole CAFCI LED indication guide
Last known trip condition
Overcurrent
Arc Fault
Arc Fault to ground
Last known trip condition LED indicator
Yellow 1 Yellow 2
OFF
ON
OFF
ON
OFF
OFF
OFF
ON
Yellow 3
OFF
OFF
ON
ON
Overcurrent
Arc fault (Leg A)
Arc fault (Leg B)
Arc fault to ground
LED trip indicators

With a 160 year history of engineering and innovation, Siemens strives to develop products that provide increased levels of safety.
The Combination Type AFCI is another example in which Siemens has used advanced technology to ensure fit, form, and function for customers. Both performance and reliability are ensured by the technology implemented. This technology has been thoroughly tested by third-party laboratories and in the field.
Specifically, the advanced semiconductor technology utilizes proprietary components designed to detect and react to the unique characteristics of arcing while maintaining a high level of reliability. This reliability is ensured by detailed design and verified by extensive testing.
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Improves troubleshooting accuracy
Reduces the number of visits to the problem site
Can be used with any circuit breaker regardless of brand.
Currently AFCI protection devices only monitor and protect branch circuits in the home against arc faults. Although the LEDs on the Siemens Combination Type AFCIs can help to point an electrician in the right direction for troubleshooting, these AFCIs do not help to pinpoint the portion of the branch circuit that contained the fault. Arc faults are often intermittent which can make troubleshooting the branch circuit very difficult. In these cases, it is important to determine whether the fault condition exists in the permanent wiring, in connected equipment, or in a power cord.
duration too short, current level too low, the tool provides an indication showing how close an event is to causing an AFCI to trip. The goal of the diagnostic tool is to speed the troubleshooting process for the electrical contractor. The device drastically improves the accuracy of the troubleshooting process. This, in turn, will significantly reduce the number of visits to the problem site. Every intent of this device is directed as saving the electrical contractor time for each branch circuit that must be evaluated. The Intelli-Arc Diagnostic Tool can be used with any circuit breaker regardless of brand.
Intelligent arc detection technology
The Siemens Intelli-Arc Diagnostic Tool helps to accurately diagnose the circuit in which a fault has occurred. When used in conjunction with good troubleshooting techniques, this tool allows the electrical contractor to determine and locate the root cause or source of the fault. The
Intelli-Arc Diagnostic Tool presents information as to the type and magnitude of fault. Since the fault may not cause an
AFCI to trip for various reasons, i.e.
Thoroughly tested
AFCIs help to ensure the safety of those who will live, work, or play in the buildings by protecting them from hidden faults that can smolder for hours before breaking into the open in spectacular form. Few building trades do as much to protect the American public as electrical contractors, and AFCIs are important tools in the electrician’s safety arsenal.

™
Wireless communication
Hook location for attaching base unit to the load center
Power indicator
Communication indicator with hand-held
Amp indicator (A)
Ground fault indicator (B)
Arc fault indicator (C)
Communication with base unit
Clear (last event)
Power button
Push and hold "clear" button while pressing "power" button to test the hand-held functionality
Hand-held unit
Wire terminals to load
Wire terminals to breaker
Base unit
Intelli-Arc Diagnostic Tool
LED troubleshooting indications
Three sets of LED indicators are provided on the hand-held device for use in troubleshooting branch circuit issues. These three indications give information regarding current (“AMPS”), ground fault level (“GF”), and arc fault level (“AF”).
C. Arc Fault (“AF”)
1. This LED indication does not display in reference to current
level but rather in severity of events, with a full scale reading
(red LED) representing an event that is very likely to cause an
AFCI device to trip.
A.Current (“AMPS”)
1. The full scale current for this LED indication is 20+A
2. Partial readings (yellow LEDs) should be evaluated. Combined
independent events may cause an AFCI to trip.
2. LED indicators do not increase by uniform intervals.
3. Transitional events, i.e. turning on an appliance, are likely to
register as some low level on the arc fault scale.
3. The 5A point is marked on hand-held device for reference.
B.Ground Fault (“GF”)
1. The full scale current for this LED indication is 50+ mA.
2. LED indicators do not increase by uniform levels.
4.The action taken that produces the highest level of indication
should be thoroughly evaluated for any issues that
may be present.
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The need for AFCI has been established by various respected organizations. Requirements are already in place to mandate the use of the Combination Type AFCI. These Combination Type AFCIs provide the maximum protection available today for reducing the possibly catastrophic effects of arcing faults.
 Listed AFCI future requirement in Code
- Allows Branch/Feeder AFCI
 January 1, 2002: bedroom receptacles
 Listed AFCI in ALL bedroom circuits
- Allows Branch/Feeder AFCI
 Combination Type AFCI in bedroom circuits
 Branch/Feeder AFCI permitted until January 1, 2008
 Combination Type AFCI
 Expand to 1 pole, 15A and 20A circuits
installed in family rooms, dining rooms,
living rooms, parlors, libraries, dens,
bedrooms, sunrooms, recreation rooms,
closets, hallways, or similar rooms or areas
 Combination Type AFCI
 15-20A circuits installed in family rooms,
dining rooms, living rooms, parlors, libraries, dens,
bedrooms, sunrooms, recreation rooms, closets,
hallways, or similar rooms or areas
 Combination Type AFCI
 Single-Phase 15-20A circuits installed in kitchens, family rooms, dining rooms,
living rooms, parlors, libraries, dens, bedrooms, sunrooms, recreation rooms, closets,
hallways, laundry areas, or similar rooms or areas
 Dormitory Units – Single-phase 15-20A circuits supplying outlets installed in
bedrooms, living rooms, hallways, closets, and similar rooms
Siemens Industry, Inc.
5400 Triangle Parkway
Norcross, GA 30092
1-800-241-4453 info.us@siemens.com
www.usa.siemens.com/afci
Subject to change without prior notice
Order No.: RPFL-COMBO-0315
All rights reserved
Printed in USA
© 2015 Siemens Industry, Inc.
The information provided in this brochure contains merely general descriptions or characteristics of performance which in case of actual use do not always apply as described or which may change as a result of further development of the products. An obligation to provide the respective characteristics shall only exist if expressly agreed in the terms of contract.
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