When an arc fault management module is added to the circuit, it can serve to detect and interrupt high current flows before they have an opportunity to create substantial arcs. The module is series connected with the source so it can serve both the detection function and the interruption function. When these are actively combined, they result in arc management whereby interruption is implemented upon first detection of the arc and then power is restored when the arc is extinguished.

A guillotine tester was used in arc management experiments on 270 VDC. The video will show three cases of unmanaged arcing, both full speed and in slow motion. Note that this is a pretty violent and destructive event (imagine what would happen if this was two conductors in a wire bundle)! Next, the video will show the results when managed. The lamp load can be seen in the background. When an arc is detected due to the vaporizing of the blade edge, power is momentarily interrupted (the light bulb dims). This prevents the arc from developing. Power is immediately restored (the light bulb glows again) and the arc remains extinguished because there is no plasma path available for the conduction of electrical current. The blade continues to be lowered and so arcs are initiated repeatedly but without the arc blast from the unmanaged case.

[ For a 3 minute Video, click here]