Arc Fault Sensing Device Testing

Transcription

1 Arc Fault Sensing Device Testing Jason A. Bender ECET 490 Sr. Design Phase 1 Fall According to the United States Fire Administration, approximately 67,800 fires occur annually due to problems in a home s electrical system 485 deaths 2,300 injuries $868 million in residential property loss [1] 80% of those incidents were caused by arcing, not overloads or short circuits [2]. Imagine a device that t can determine dt if there are problems with the newly installed wiring before the arcing opportunity arises 2 1

2 Americas 2000 Safest Homes Developed a device for testing the structural integrity of residential electrical wiring Beyond calibration of these devices, no test procedures have been developed to date. 3 For this purpose they have partnered with Purdue University Fort Wayne for device testing Marketing Testing Accuracy Repeatability Sensitivity of operations. 4 2

3 Market Analysis Several companies are in full scale production of arc fault sensing devices Americas 2000 safest homes plans to train technicians to be able to certify homes with the use of the arc fault testing device they have developed and patented. 5 Implementation Methods and Solutions Parallel Arc Between two different conductors in close proximity.; Line to Neutral Line to Ground Neutral to Ground 6 3

4 Implementation Methods and Solutions SeriesArc Arc This conduction is between two points along a single conductor [5]. 7 Regulatory Standards, Safety, and Quality Issues Century Labs Registered with Underwriters Laboratory (UL) Approved by National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA). 8 4

5 System Test Description Current Transformer Variable Power Supply Device Under Test Fault Simulating Device Measurement Recording Device 9 Trade Off Study As with any scientific experiment a test plan must be developed and utilized properly With the help of Century Labs a credible test plan will be defined and adhered to If further testing is required it will be implemented with ihoversight ihby JffU Jeff Underwood d Without this strategic planning, safety, quality of test, and credibility of research will all be compromised 10 5

6 Resources Labor; $16/ hour 150 hours Total Itemized labor = $2, Overhead Expenses Resources Computer $1,000 initial investment Internet Access $140 Phone $200 Gas/Travel $200 Office Supplies $100 Total Itemized Overhead Expense $1,

7 Test Equipment Expenses Resources Current Transformer $465 Hand Tools $100 Total Equipment Expense $565 Total Expected Required Resources $ 4, Project Schedule 14 7

8 Project Schedule 15 Return On Investment Company Americas 2000 Safest Homes Expected company earnings Equipment test development Exposure in community 16 8

9 Return On Investment Student Jason A. Bender Project management skill development Industry networking Test plan development skills Potential employment offer 17 Return On Investment College Purdue University Fort Wayne Verification i of curriculum Community partnership Exposure in community 18 9

10 Risk Analysis Severity of Consequences Impossible Highly Unlikely Possible Probable Catastrophic 6,8 1, Critical 2,4 Marginal 3,5 7 Negligible 1. Improper planning 2. Incorrect testing procedure 3. Test equipment problems 4. Improper test equipment usage 5. Device functionality problems 6. Company Dissolved 7. Student errors 8. Partnership failure 19 Team Members Gloria Ostrowski President Americas 2000 Safest Homes Jeff DeHaven Engineer Americas 2000 Safest Homes Jeff Underwood Engineer Century Labs Rick Coughenour Engineer Americas 2000 Safest Homes Paul Lin Professor Purdue, Fort Wayne Hal Broberg Advisor Purdue, Fort Wayne Jason Bender Student Purdue,, Fort Wayne 20 10

11 Resources [1] G. Winstanley, Arc fault Detection: Your Questions Answered, Electrical Construction and Maintenance, vol. 106, no. 11, November [2] G.D.Gregory DGregoryand A.Manche, Applyingand Using ArcFault Circuit Interrupters, Electrical Construction and Maintenance, vol. 103, no.3, March [3] A. Manche and A. Haun, Why AFCI s? How Combination Arc fault Circuit Interrupters Enhance Electrical Safety in the Home NFPA Journal, September /October [ONLINE]. Available &src=nfpajournal. [Accessed Nov 12, 2009]. [4] G.D.Gregory, Using Arc Fault Interrupters to Reduce Residential Fires, Electrical l Construction ti and Maintenance, vol.96, l96 no. 11, pp. 60, Nov [5] National Electrical Manufacturers Association, Arc fault Circuit Interrupters; Using Advanced Technology to Prevent Electrical fires, National Electrical Manufacturers Association, NEMA, [ONLINE], Available [Accessed Nov 11, 2009]