Due to recent regulatory changes, arc fault detection devices (AFDDs) are now recommended to protect homes and electrical devices from potential damage caused by electrical arcs.
Hager’s new AFDD with ProTools is the ideal product solution for housebuilders and developers looking to provide the highest standards of safety protection for their clients and comply with new rules.
Ash Knowles, National Residential Specification Manager for Hager, explains more.
The continued objective to drive safety standards across the electrical industry has seen Amendment 2 of the 18th Edition Wiring Regulations become a reality. The imposed changes are designed to further improve protection of buildings, including homes, and ensure current legislation remains in tune with ongoing technological advances.
The changes include a focus on the use of AFDDs. It means that from 28 September 2022, they become mandatory for use in certain settings such as higher risk residential buildings and houses of multiple occupation. However, AFDDs are now also ‘recommended’ for all single-phase AC final circuits supplying socket outlets not exceeding 32 A.
Crucially, this includes installation within the new homes housebuilders and developers are creating today.
New era – a new Hager solution
As a new era dawns for the electrical marketplace, Hager has invested significant R&D resources into the development and extensive testing of a new and innovative AFDD with ProTools range; one set to lead the market in terms of protection performance, flexibility, safety, and ease of installation.
At the heart of the AFDD innovation sits new and advanced diagnostic software offering superior safety protection levels, minimal disruption for homeowners and the ability to perform software updates eliminating the need to remove or replace the device in the future.
Thanks to additional safety aspects, the AFDD does not need the circuit to be re-energised when tripped to be able to identify the cause of the fault and leaves the consumer unit in a safe condition as fault finding occurs.
Unique diagnostic software
Hager’s new AFDD with ProTools contain a microprocessor which runs a sophisticated algorithm, continuously checking the electrical circuits for any indication of an arc fault. Whilst an extensive testing program has provided a stable platform for today, it is possible that an electrical goods manufacturer may create an electrical device with a different waveform signature, thereby creating a new signature for the AFDD and causing the device to trip.
With diagnostic software and the in-situ software upgrades, Hager’s AFDD solution can intelligently modify the algorithm to accommodate new product signatures as and when required. These updates can be sent directly to mobile devices via the Hager Pilot app (for Apple and Android), allowing connection to the AFDD through Bluetooth technology to perform a software upgrade remotely.
The ability to upgrade AFDD software in this way is a game changer for the industry. It uniquely eliminates the need to physically remove the device from the board, minimises disruption and allows, for example, for quick and efficient resolutions to ‘unwanted tripping’ which can be inconvenient and time consuming to resolve.
As the reality of the Amendment 2 changes sets in, housebuilders and developers need to be mindful of both mandated and recommended arc fault detection requirements. With Hager’s new easy to fit, diagnose and upgrade AFDD with ProTools, housebuilders are supported in meeting the important regulation changes.
For more information about Hager’s new AFDD with ProTools and to discover the new solution in action, please visit: https://hager.link/protection-devices/AFDD-with-ProTools