What is the purpose of an AFCI?

An AFCI, or Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter, is specifically designed to detect and respond to arc faults in electrical wiring, which can lead to electrical fires. An arc fault occurs when there is an unintentional discharge of electricity that can happen due to damaged wires or loose connections.

The AFCI monitors the electrical circuit for these dangerous arc faults and interrupts the current flow when an arc is detected, thereby preventing potential fire hazards that can arise from overheating or sparks caused by these faults. This is an important safety feature in residential wiring, enhancing the overall safety of electrical systems in homes and providing protection against fires that may start from wiring issues.

Other options, while related to electrical systems, do not accurately describe the primary function of an AFCI. Enhancing power stability or regulating voltage directly relates to different types of electrical devices or components, whereas increasing current flow does not align with the purpose of fire prevention, which is the AFCI’s main function.