Estimating fire losses associated with circuit breaker malfunction

Author

Aronstein, Jesse ; Lowry, Richard

Author_Institution

Consulting Eng., Poughkeepsie, NY, USA

fYear

2011

fDate

25-28 Jan. 2011

Firstpage

1

Lastpage

7

Abstract

A method is presented for connecting small branch circuit breaker functional test data to statistical fire loss data. Test results are presented for field samples of a particular line of circuit breakers that have an abnormally high defect level. The test results are then utilized in combination with available electrical fire statistics to estimate the annual number of fires and consequent injuries, deaths, and monetary loss associated with the defective breakers. An estimate is then made of the reduction of injury and loss that can be achieved by encouraging replacement of the defective breakers. The role of the electrical safety community in promoting replacement of the defective breakers is discussed.

Keywords

circuit breakers; electrical safety; fires; losses; circuit breaker malfunction; electrical fire statistics; electrical safety community; fire losses estimation; small branch circuit breaker functional test data; statistical fire loss data; Argon; Fires; Injuries; Interrupters; USA Councils; Circuit Breaker Malfunction; Circuit Breaker Test Results; Electrical Fire Loss Estimate; Electrical Fire Prevention;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Electrical Safety Workshop (ESW), 2011 IEEE IAS

Conference_Location

Toronto, ON

Print_ISBN

978-1-4673-1060-4

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/ESW.2011.6164733

Filename

6164733