Award-Winning Combination Type ARC Fault Circuit Interrupter From Siemens is Now Available
Meets requirements of National Electrical Code® update effective Jan. 1, 2008
ATLANTA -- Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc. today announced that its full residential line of award-winning Combination Type Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCIs) is now available. Recently named “Equipment of the Year” by Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC), Siemens’ AFCIs meet all requirements of the current and proposed codes. The Combination Type AFCIs have been listed by Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL®) and are available for use on 120-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-ampere branch circuits.
The new Combination Type AFCI device is equipped with Siemens patented unique LED trip indicators, which will help electricians and home owners pinpoint the type of problems that may cause the device to trip. The LEDs located near the handle of the circuit breaker can distinguish whether the trip was caused by arcing faults, arcing to ground or over current conditions.
“Arc faults are extremely dangerous because they generally occur in wiring that is behind drywall or in attics, going undetected until a fire breaks out, which is why Siemens has been investing in research and development and partnering with industry innovators to develop arc fault technology,” said Dennis Sadlowksi, president and CEO of Siemens Energy & Automation. “Siemens ability to be the first to market with the Combination Type AFCI technology is a testament to our commitment to providing our customers with the latest and most advanced technology."
Siemens Combination Type AFCI device is the most compact on the market. As a result, it is retrofitable for all Siemens, Murray, I-T-E, and Crouse-Hinds load centers and meter load center combinations. Additionally, Siemens “INSTAWIRETM” feature included in all Siemens load centers saves time during installation.
Combination Type AFCIs, which protect against all three possible types of arc fault, improve on the protection offered by the branch/feeder AFCIs currently permitted by the 1999-2002 NEC®, as well as the 2005 NEC®, until January 1, 2008. Branch/feeder AFCIs protect only against line-to-ground and line-to-neutral arcs, known as parallel or high-energy arcs.
Combination Type AFCIs, which will be required by 2005-2008 NEC starting Jan. 1, 2008, protect against both of these arc faults plus series arcs, which can be caused by broken conductors, loose screws and a host of other invisible faults.
For more about Siemens Combination Type Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters for residential applications, log on to:
http://www.sea.siemens.com/afci
About Siemens
Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc. is one of Siemens’ operating companies in the U.S. Headquartered in the Atlanta suburb of Alpharetta, Ga., Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc. manufactures and markets one of the world’s broadest ranges of electrical and electronic products, systems and services to industrial and construction market customers. Its technologies range from circuit protection and energy management systems to process control, industrial software and totally integrated automation solutions. The company also has expertise in systems integration, technical services and turnkey industrial systems. For more information:
www.sea.siemens.com.
Siemens AG (NYSE: SI) is a global powerhouse in electrical engineering and electronics, focusing on the three key sectors of healthcare, industry and energy. Founded 160 years ago in Germany, Siemens AG reported sales of $96.6 billion in fiscal year 2007 (ended September 30). Siemens today employs more than 470,000 people in some 190 countries. In the United States alone, Siemens had sales of over $25 billion (including export sales), fueled largely by infrastructure projects and innovative solutions in the industry areas of medical, automation and control, power, transportation and lighting. Headquartered in New York City, Siemens in the U.S. employs nearly 72,000 people in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. The U.S. is also home to the global headquarters of nine of Siemens’ worldwide businesses. For more information on Siemens in the United States, go to: