Study of Low Cost Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter Based on MCU

Abstract

Arc fault is the arc that may cause damage to the society. Arc is with high temperature and massive heat. If arc fault appears in the low voltage supply environment, it will lead to fire or disaster. So detection and protection of arc fault is essential. In order to prevent the damage of fault arc, a new apparatus named Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI) has been proposed. In the paper, arc fault features of the circuit with different load are studied. Then an arc fault detection method is proposed. Then a low cost AFCI is designed so as to promote AFCI. Experimental results show it has the ability to protect the arc fault.