International Electrotechnical Commission

General requirements for arc fault detection devices - Edition 1.1; Consolidated Reprint
 N 62606

Annotation

This International Standard applies to arc fault detection devices (AFDDs) for household and similar uses, intended to be used in a.c. circuits, for rated voltages not exceeding 440 V a.c, with rated frequencies of 50 Hz, 60 Hz or 50/60 Hz and rated currents not exceeding 63 A.

NOTE 1 In the USA, Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCI) are considered similar to AFDDs.

An AFDD is designed by the manufacturer:

– either as a single device having opening means able to open the protected circuit in specified conditions; or

– as a single device integrating a protective device; or

– as a separate unit, according to Annex D assembled on site with a declared protective device.

The integrated protection device is either a circuit-breaker in accordance with IEC 60898-1 or an RCD in accordance with IEC 61008-1, IEC 61009-1 or IEC 62423.

These devices are intended to mitigate the risk of fire in a final circuits of a fixed installation due to the effect of arc fault currents that pose a risk of fire ignition under certain conditions if the arcing persists.

Protection against fire ignition due to overvoltage due to a broken neutral within a three phase installation to be included in this type of equipment as an additional option is under consideration in 9.22.

NOTE 2 Tracking current leads to arcing and therefore may ignite fire.

This International Standard applies to devices performing simultaneously the detection and discrimination of arcing current with regards to fire hazards and defines operating criteria under specified conditions for the opening of the circuit when the arcing current exceeds the limit values given in this standard.