NEMA Releases Arc Fault Prevention Awareness Video

National Electrical Safety Month is recognized each May by members of the electrical industry in order to bring awareness to the electrical hazards that workers and consumers face. In order to spread awareness around the hazards of arc faults, which can cause potentially deadly residential electrical fires, the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) Low Voltage Distribution Equipment (LVDE) Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI) Task Force recently released its new educational video “Seeing is Believing.”

The free downloadable video offers real-world examples of how dangerous arc faults can be, which can occur in damaged wiring behind walls, in attics, crimped extension cords, overloaded outlets and power strips, and damaged appliances. The footage combines various sources to show how hidden hazards can quickly become devastating fires without warning.

It is designed to help educate the public about what to look for in preventing electrical fires and that a technology — AFCI — exists to stop arcing before a fire can start.  The electrical experts are hoping fire departments, electrical contractors, builders, and others will share this educational tool during both National Electrical Safety Month and throughout the year.

According to national fire data, nearly 46,000 residential fires occur each year in the United States. The leading cause is electrical failures/malfunctions, which result in hundreds of deaths and injuries annually.

The video uses content from various sources, including NEMA, the American Circuit Breaker Manufacturers Association, UL Research Institutes’ Fire Safety Research Institute, Siemens, Schneider Electric, Eaton and ABB.