There is concern about false trips from electromagnetic interference that can be particularly strong on military aircraft. The erratic current waveform of arcs should be identifiable, but some legitimate loads also are strange, such as strobe lights, pulsing valves and radars. Trials of an AFCI on the C-9 in November 2000 had no false trips. A similar test with Hendry equipment is set for this summer. The Eaton AFCI focuses on arc current that is greater than the circuit breaker rating.
Any protection is better than no protection.
Eaton makes a residential AFCI that uses discrete components and has not decided whether to use this technology or a microprocessor for the aircraft application. The Eaton flights are set for June or July, and Hendry for March 2002. Trials of an AFCI on the C-9 in November 2000 had no false trips. A similar test with Hendry equipment is set for this summer. The Eaton AFCI focuses on arc current that is greater than the circuit breaker rating.