Sparkswillfly
DIY
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I'm looking at replacing my old switchboard with a new RCD/AFCI one. I asked the electrician who was quoting the job about Arc fault interrupters. I previously understood these were a different device from RCD's-RCD is to prevent shocks, AFI to prevent fires.
I also understood there were devices that did both in combination.
The electrician tells me that the tech has advanced so that RCD's alone will be sufficient without incorporating the AFI feature. If a switch contact or wire etc wears out and arcing occurs, the newer RCD's I'm told will still trip and cut off the power to that circuit, preventing a fire. Is that correct? He seemed pretty adamant about it. I do want to minimise the risk of electrical fires, so just wanted to see what others thought.
Thanks
I also understood there were devices that did both in combination.
The electrician tells me that the tech has advanced so that RCD's alone will be sufficient without incorporating the AFI feature. If a switch contact or wire etc wears out and arcing occurs, the newer RCD's I'm told will still trip and cut off the power to that circuit, preventing a fire. Is that correct? He seemed pretty adamant about it. I do want to minimise the risk of electrical fires, so just wanted to see what others thought.
Thanks