03.04.2025
Littelfuse AF0025-00 Arc-flash Relays
Discover arc flash causes and how Arc-flash relays can mitigate arc flash damage
What is arc flash?
An arc flash is the light produced during an arc fault. The term arc flash is used interchangeably with arc fault, a type of electrical fault that results from the breakdown of an insulating medium between two conductors where the energy is enough to sustain an arc across the insulator (air) and can cause extreme amounts of light (arc flash) and immense heat upwards of 19,000°C, resulting in an explosive pressure wave known as an arc blast. These forces combine to make a hazardous condition that can vaporise metal, destroy equipment and pose a significant hazard to anyone in the vicinity.
What causes an arc flash?
An arc flash happens when electric current flows through an air gap between conductors. There are several ways this can happen but the most common occurrence is when conductor insulation is worn or broken down.
What are the most important aspects of arc-flash relays?
Key considerations when choosing an arc flash relay:
- Reaction time
- Trip reliability
- Ease of installation
- Sensor flexibility
- Software
- Sensor design
- Avoidance of nuisance tripping ad scalability
AF00-25-00 Arc Flash Relay
The AF0025 series arc-flash relay is a cost effective and OEM-focused solution that provides innovative arc-flash protection in a compact package. The arc flash relays significantly reduce arc-fault damage in AC and DC compartments by detecting the light from an arc flash using one or two optical sensors, rapidly providing a trip signal.
The arc flash relays compact design means it can be surface, or DIN-rail mounted into the smallest spaces, making it an ideal OEM solution for tight cabinets such as combiner boxes and inverters.
Features
- Compact solution
- Supports two sensor inputs with fixed light sensitivity (PGA-LS10-01B)
- Internal fail-safe design with selectable fail-safe or non-fail-safe operation
- Error option to signal external system of active protection or relay error
Benefits
- Our most compact arc-flash device, ideal for mounting in crowded cabinets
- Flexible installation supports both 1 and 2 light sensor applications
- Ready to use with fixed light sensitivity, no adjustments needed
- Redundant solid-state circuitry for fail-safe operation
Markets/Applications
- Solar combiner boxes
- Inverters
- Industrial UPS
- Junction boxes
- OEM panels with little available space
GD Rectifiers has been an authorised distributor for IXYS for decades, and since the Littelfuse acquisition of IXYS back in 2020, the custom power specialist now has access to Littelfuse’s specialist range of arc flash relays.
For further information on Littelfuse’s arc flash relays or to discuss an enquiry, please contact 01444 243 452 or email [email protected]
