Technical Bulletin - AFDDs performance with XLPE cable
24 February 2025
BEAMA are today publishing our Technical Bulletin giving clarification and guidance on AFDD's performance with XLPE cables.
Two false statements are being made in relation to arc fault detection devices (AFDDs) and cross-linked polyethylene insulated (XLPE) cable i.e.:
- AFDDs require carbon (produced by the charring of) PVC/PVC cable to detect arc faults and do not work when used with XLPE cable.
- XLPE cable does not char under any arc fault conditions therefore, AFDDs can be omitted.
The terms “char” and “carbon” both relate to forms of carbon produced by materials under heat, but they differ in their composition and context.
The objective of this bulletin is to provide independent test evidence that demonstrates these two statements to be incorrect.
This bulletin is to clarify, through independant testing, that the use of XLPE cables and similar are suitable for use with AFDDs. Full details of the independant tests and related testing house are within the document.
