PGR8800 vlamboog detector

An arc fault is properly the most destructive fault senario that can happen within an electrical installation. Arcs develop when the insulation between conductors are broken down sufficiently to leave an ionized channel which can carry current. Insulation can be degraded for different reasons, e.g. conductive dust, moisture, cobwebs etc. If the switchboard is capable of supplying enough energy, a run-away reaction can occur, if this happens the current heats and ionizes more air, carrying even more current, heating up and eventually boiling the conductors. The following explosion will spray the cabinets with molten copper and tear it apart by the rise in pressure - this happens as the arc fault converts the full capacity of the power source to heat.