We speak of an arc fault when an abnormal electric arc is generated in an electrical installation, which can lead to a fire if not addressed promptly. Unfortunately, despite the presence of circuit breakers and residual current devices (RCDs) in modern installations, we are not protected against series arc faults. In fact, the most frequent causes of these faults are damage caused by nails or screws in the conductor insulation, loose connections, cable crushing and breakage, UV radiation, or rodent damage. Therefore, it is essential to have a detector that protects against any of these risk situations to prevent them from becoming a safety hazard.
In December 2017, the new Fire Protection Installations Regulation came into force. The regulations clearly state that prevention is fundamental and that all infrastructure must include measures to prevent fires, both in its design and construction. From this perspective, it is important to emphasize that the proper use and maintenance of all other installations in a home or business, particularly electrical installations, contribute significantly to fire prevention.
Therefore, the Siemens arc flash detector is a recommended solution, even according to the international standard IEC 60364-4-42 for electrical installations in buildings. It is a safe system for people and buildings, as it covers an area that has been previously unprotected. Furthermore, the 5SM6 Arc Flash Detector can distinguish between different types of arc flash faults (series and parallel) and is capable of protecting against overvoltages exceeding 275V. This allows the system to instantly shut down the installation once an overvoltage is detected, thus preventing a fire.
