Siemens - Circuit Breaker, 15 Amps, 1 Pole, 120 V , AFCI - QA115AFC

If you want to upgrade your circuit breaker to a more modern one that provides enhanced safety and protection then the Siemens arc fault breaker 15 amp is exactly what you need. In the US, electrical fires are the leading cause behind property damage every year. Most of these fires stem from a faulty arc. Now, a standard circuit breaker isn’t designed to detect a fault in the arc and this can wreak havoc to your property if such an event occurs. You should always invest in a breaker that can protect you from all such dangerous electrical hazards and situations. Fortunately, the Siemens breaker is a leader in the electrical engineering world and its 15 amp Amp Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI) is exactly what every electric panel needs. 

Understanding An Arc Fault In Detail

The unintentional arcing path of electric current is when electricity jumps through a gap in the circuit. Now when electricity passes through an unintended path, it leads to a spark or discharge and mostly loose or damaged wiring is to blame for it. An arc fault can create extremely high intensity heat that can easily ignite materials like wood or even dust in the surrounding. 

Here’s what can cause an arc fault; 

• Loose wire connections 
• Damaged wires 
• Crushes or pinched cables
• Aging infrastructure of improper installation of the electric system

The reason why a standard circuit breaker isn’t able to detect this fault is that an arc fault creates irregular electrical patterns and the breakers mostly overlook it.

The Siemens 15 Amp Arc Fault Breaker

The Siemens arc fault breaker 15 amps is a AFCI (Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter). It’s specifically designed to detect faulty arcs. Not only this but the breaker also comes with the standard circuit protection. With the help of advanced technology used in this breaker, fires can easily be prevented before they start. Here are the key features of the breaker; 

• 15 Amp Current Rating: It’s best suitable for residential purposes especially for bedrooms, outdoors and lighting etc. 
• Combination of AFCI: It provides both kinds of protection; series and parallel arc faults. 
• Test Button: You can use the test button to check and monitor the functionality of the breaker every day. 
• Comes With LED Indicators: There are proper LED indicators in the breaker that can help you identify any trip conditions or faults. 

How Does The Arc Breaker Work?

The AFCI breaker comes with high frequency sensors that can easily help detect any irregular patterns of the electric flow. The breaker constantly monitors and tracks the electric waveform and the moment it detects any unusual flow, it immediately interrupts the current and trips. 

Steps include; 

1-It Monitors The Current: The special technology used to make the Siemens arc fault breaker monitors the flow of current several times per second. It then uses that data to build a graph of the expected electric waveform. 

2-Recognizing The Pattern: In case of a high frequency signature (especially the one that forms an arc) the breaker first analyzes if the waveform is harmless or dangerous. 

3-Interrupting Electric Current: When a serious and dangerous arc fault is detected, the breaker will immediately interrupt the electric supply, it’ll shut down the power and trip to prevent any fire hazard. 

4-LED Indication: With the help of the LED indicator, you can easily check if the trip was due to the arc fault, a short circuit or an electricity overload. 

Compatibility Of The Siemens Arc Fault Breaker 15 AMP

When it comes to a standard circuit breaker, you can easily install it yourself especially if it comes with a plug in design. However, for an arc fault breaker, it’s important to hire a licensed electrician because these AFCI breakers are more sensitive and they require proper wiring and grounding. On the other hand when it comes to the compatibility of the breaker, it only works with Siemen panels. You should avoid installing the arc fault breaker with an incompatible panel or else it can lead to unwanted consequences.

Electricity overloads and short circuits are inevitable especially if you don’t have a short circuit installed. Whether you are a residential, commercial or industrial owner, you must protect your electric system and protect your property from fire hazards. The only solution here is to install a quality circuit breaker that you can really rely on. Speaking of which, the Siemens 15 amp fault breaker is the kind that you can really count on. Not only does it offer safety but it’s reliable, durable and performs really well too. 

Siemens has always been a leader when it comes to the electrical industry. The brand is always the talk of the town for the kind of quality its products deliver. Especially if you are a homeowner looking to upgrade your circuit breaker or if you are just building a new place from scratch then installing the Siemens 15 amp arc fault breaker is the wisest decision you’ll ever take. 

Understanding An Arc Fault Breaker

An arc fault occurs when due to loose or damaged wirings, the electricity jumps from one conductor to another in an irregular pattern. This then generates high heat to an extent that it can even ignite the combustible materials around you like wood. In a nutshell, an arc fault is so dangerous that it can even cause house fires which is no less than a person’s worst nightmare. 

In order to mitigate the risk of house fires, the NEC has made it compulsory for some homeowners to install an arc fault breaker in their electric panels. Now, a standard circuit breaker just helps in events like overloads and short circuits. It doesn’t have the ability to detect an arc fault but the Siemens 15 amp arc fault breaker is built differently and it can easily detect any arc fault immediately. 

Key features of this breaker include; 

1-Advanced Arc Fault Detection

The electronics used in the Siemens 15 amp arc fault breaker can easily detect both parallel and series arc faults which means extra protection. The sensitivity of the breaker helps in detecting the arc faults at an early stage in order to prevent fire hazards. 

2-15 AMP Rating 

AFCI protection is generally required in bedrooms, living rooms and other such outlets and this is where the Siemens breaker comes into action. It can easily protect 15 amp circuits which is perfect for moderate electric flow panels. 

3-It Comes With An LED Indicator 

The breaker comes with the ability to constantly monitor the electric current. The moment it detects an arc fault, the LED indicator on the breaker will start giving you a signal that there’s something wrong with the flow of electricity. With the help of this indicator, it becomes a lot easier for electricians and homeowners to timely troubleshoot the problem. 

4-Thermal-Magnetic Trip Mechanism 

The Siemens 15 amp arc fault breaker doesn’t just help detect arc faults on time, in fact, it can also prevent damage from short circuits and electricity overloads. The thermal magnetic protection of this breaker is another huge plus for someone looking for an extra safe breaker. 

5-Compact And Space Saving 

The breaker comes with a very compact design and its width is just 1 inch which makes it perfect for narrow or closed panels with lesser space. This also makes the installation a lot easier for electricians. The copper terminals of the breaker secure them in place. 

If you are looking forward to making a solid investment for the electrical safety of your property then getting your hands on the Siemens 15 amp arc fault breaker will be the best decision you’ll ever make. It’s a top choice for everyone whether you want to upgrade your breaker or install a new one in your new panel. Especially the arc fault detection feature of this breaker makes it stand out from the crowd.

When it comes to a regular breaker, it will help detect events like short circuits and overloads but it can’t detect an arc fault. On the other hand, an arc fault breaker is built to detect both parallel and series arc faults immediately. These breakers can help prevent fire hazards due to loose connections or damaged wires. 

You can but only if you have prior experience. If not then it’s highly recommended that you opt for a proper professional electrician’s services for the installation. Improper installation can be very hazardous for you and your property. 

When the LED’s light is Green or Off, it means that it’s functioning normally but if it shows red or if the light starts blinking then it’s a sign of an arc fault or overcurrent. 

An arc fault breaker is specifically designed to detect arc faults at an early stage. These arc faults are extremely dangerous and can start fires in your home which is what makes these breakers different. The Siemens 15 amp arc fault breaker won’t just detect the arc fault on time but it also protects from overloads and short circuits. 

No, not necessarily. It’s important that you first consult it with your electrician to ensure that your panel and your breaker are compatible. Using an incompatible breaker can void the company’s warranty and it’s also a violation of the electric codes. 

A combination type means that the breaker can detect both parallel and series arc faults. Series fault means a single conduction and parallel fault means-between the conductors.