Arc Fault Sensing Device: Residential Testing Scenario

Transcription

1 Jason A. Bender ECET 491/ ENG 421 Spring 2010 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 had been developed by the company. 3 For this purpose they partnered with Purdue University Fort Wayne Marketing Testing Accuracy Repeatability Sensitivity of operations. 4 2

3 System Test Description Current Transformer Current Transformer Volt Meter Volt Meter Variable Power Device Fault Supply Under Test Simulating Device Measurement Recording Device 5 Implementation Methods and Solutions Parallel Arc Between two different conductors in close proximity; Hot to Neutral Hot to Ground Neutral to Ground 6 3

4 7 Implementation Methods and Solutions SeriesArc Arc This conduction is between two points along a single conductor [5]. Consists of three tests 8 4

5 Implementation Methods and Solutions Series ArcTesting 1. Open Hot Test Identifies grounded neutral. Test scenario must simulate

6 Implementation Methods and Solutions Series ArcTesting 2. Open Neutral Test Identifies current on hot conductor Test scenario must simulate

7 Implementation Methods and Solutions Series ArcTesting 3. Reverse Polarity Test Identifies current on neutral conductor Test scenario must simulate

8 Regulatory Standards, Safety, and Quality Issues Testing of the device must adhere to NFPA 70A Device specifications are governed by UL Trade Off Study Normally a trade off study would compare two options that are both feasible and would show the reason one was chosen over the other. NIST Traceable Lab IPFW Electrical Engineering gtechnology Laboratory In conjunction with a calibrated oscilloscope and multi meters, this equipment test setup is reliable. Testing can be performed at a later date in a certified lab to verify results 8

9 Resources Labor $16/hour (average student technician for area) 150 hours Total Itemized Labor Expense $2,400 Overhead Expenses (entire testing phase of 4 months) Computer $1,000 initial investment Internet Access $140 Phone $200 Gas/Travel $200 Office Supplies $100 Total Itemized Overhead Expense $1, Test Equipment Purchase Resources Current Transformer $465 Current Probe $2400 Current Probe Amplifier $2000 Hand Tools $100 Total Equipment Expense $4965 Total Required Resources $ 9,

10 Project Schedule 19 Project Schedule 20 10

11 Testing Results Test Name Pass/Fail Threshold Results Open Hot Pass 15mA Device Trip 30mA Open Neutral Pass 15mA Device Trip 30mA Reverse Polarity Pass 15mA 30mA Parallel Arc : Hot Neutral Pass 15mA 30mA Parallel Arc : Hot Ground Pass 15mA 30mA Parallel Arc : Neutral Ground Pass 15mA 30mA Series Arc: Hot Hot Pass 15mA 30mA Series Arc: Neutral Neutral Pass 15mA 30mA Device Trip Device Trip Device Trip Device Trip Device Trip Device Trip 21 Physical Test Setup 22 11

12 Physical Test Setup 23 Physical Test Setup 24 12

13 Physical Test Setup 25 Physical Test Setup 26 13

14 Physical Test Setup 27 Physical Test Setup 28 14

15 Physical Test Setup 29 Return On Investment Company Americas 2000 Safest Homes Expected company earnings Equipment test development Exposure in community 30 15

16 Return On Investment Student Jason A. Bender Project management skill development Industry networking Test plan development skills Potential employment offer 31 Return On Investment College Purdue University Fort Wayne Verification i of curriculum Community partnership Exposure in community 32 16

17 Team Members Gloria Ostrowski President Americas 2000 Safest Homes Jeff DeHaven Engineer Americas 2000 Safest Homes Jeff Underwood Engineer Americas 2000 Safest Homes Rick Coughenour Engineer Americas 2000 Safest Homes Paul Lin Professor Purdue, Fort Wayne Dr. Hal Broberg Advisor Purdue, Fort Wayne Jason Bender Student Purdue,, Fort Wayne 33 References [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]

18 Questions?? 35 18