---
title: "What Is AFCI? Electrical Glossary | Daniel Electric"
description: "An AFCI is a breaker or outlet that detects dangerous arcing in wiring and shuts off the circuit before the arc can start a fire."
url: https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/afci
publisher: Daniel Electric
phone: +1-817-481-8606
quote: https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/contact
---

Safety devices

# AFCI

An AFCI is a breaker or outlet that detects dangerous arcing in wiring and shuts off the circuit before the arc can start a fire.

An arc is a spark that jumps across a gap or a damaged spot in a wire. The CPSC says unwanted arcing makes very high heat and throws molten metal that can ignite nearby paper, insulation and vapors. Some arcing currents stay below a normal breaker's rating, so a normal breaker may never trip. An AFCI is built to sense the arc itself.

Loose connections and damaged cable are common causes of an [arc fault](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/arc-fault). An AFCI does not replace a [GFCI](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/gfci). A [dual-function breaker](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/dual-function-breaker) combines both. If an AFCI trips often, a licensed electrician should inspect the circuit. See [GFCI vs AFCI](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/guides/gfci-vs-afci).

[Daniel Electric can helpResidential electrician](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/electrician)

## Related terms

-   [Arc fault](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/arc-fault)
-   [GFCI](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/gfci)
-   [Dual-function breaker](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/dual-function-breaker)
-   [Circuit breaker](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/circuit-breaker)

## Sources

1.  [CPSC: New Technology for Preventing Residential Electrical Fires](https://www.cpsc.gov/s3fs-public/AFCIFireTechnology.pdf)
2.  [CPSC: New Technology for Preventing Residential Electrical Fires](https://www.cpsc.gov/s3fs-public/AFCIFireTechnology.pdf)

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