Editing Arc-fault circuit interrupter (section)

==Limitations==
AFCIs are designed to protect against fires caused by electrical arc faults. While the sensitivity of the AFCIs helps in the detection of arc faults, these breakers can also indicate false positives by identifying normal circuit behaviors as arc faults. For instance, lightning strikes provide voltage and current profiles that resemble arc faults, and vacuum cleaners and some laser printers trip AFCIs. This nuisance tripping reduces the overall effectiveness of AFCIs. Research into advancements in this area is being pursued.<ref>Stephenson, James, Ph.D. "[http://cdn.livewireinnovation.com/pdf/aas-conference-paper-upload.pdf Eliminating False Positives in the Detection and Location of sub 3ms Faults on AC/DC Lines], {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925205045/http://cdn.livewireinnovation.com/pdf/aas-conference-paper-upload.pdf|date=September 25, 2015}}", presented at the 2011 Aircraft Airworthiness & Sustainment Conference on April 19, 2011.</ref>

AFCIs are also known to be sensitive (false tripping) to the presence of radio frequency energy, especially within the so-called ''[[high frequency]]'' (HF) spectrum (3–30&nbsp;MHz), which includes legitimate [[Shortwave radio|shortwave broadcasting]], over-the-horizon aircraft and marine communications, [[amateur radio]], and [[citizens band radio]] operations. Sensitivities and mitigation have been known since 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-helps-manufacturer-to-resolve-arc-fault-circuit-interrupter-rfi-problems |title=ARRL Helps Manufacturer to Resolve Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter RFI Problems |website=Arrl.org |date=2013-11-19 |access-date=2017-03-28}}</ref>

AFCI circuit breakers include a standard inverse-time circuit breaker but provide no specific protection against "glowing" connections (also known as a [[high resistance connection]]), high line voltages, or low line voltages.

An AFCI does not detect high line voltage caused by an open neutral in a [[multiwire branch circuit]]. A multiwire branch circuit uses both energized wires of a 120–240&nbsp;V [[split phase]] service. If the neutral is broken along the return path to the circuit breaker panel, devices connected from a 120&nbsp;V leg to the neutral may experience excess voltage, up to twice normal.

AFCIs do not detect low line voltage. Low line voltage can cause [[electromechanical relay]]s to repeatedly turn off and on, or "chatter". If current is flowing through the load contacts, it causes arcing across the contacts as they open. The arcing can oxidize, pit, and melt the contacts. This process can increase the contact resistance, superheat the relay, and lead to fires. Power fault circuit interrupters are designed to prevent fires from low voltage across loads.{{citation needed|date=November 2017}}