scope:

Introduction

Modern technology has helped make homes safer and more convenient, but conflicts in performance criteria between interdependent products can result in inconvenience for the homeowner. Designers of home electrical products (HEPs) seek to meet the demands for improved customer convenience and satisfaction as they design new and improved consumer products. Designers of sophisticated electrical circuit protection products, such as arc-fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs), strive to make homes safer by meeting the legal requirements established by local, state, federal, and national electrical codes and standards. While conflicts in the operation of the two product categories are rare, an understanding of some of the operational requirements of AFCIs can help reduce the possibility that unwanted operation of AFCIs could be caused by HEPs. These recommendations will familiarize the HEP designer with the basic operation of AFCIs to help reduce unwanted operations.

HEPs within the scope of these recommendations are those that operate at 120 Vac and are rated 20 A or less. They may include appliances of all types, power tools, electronic products such as computers, printers, office equipment, audio and video equipment, and communications equipment. In other words, any line powered electrical products that may be used in the home.