METHODS OF DETECTING ARC FAULTS CHARACTERIZED BY CONSECUTIVE PERIODS OF ARCING

A method for detecting arc faults characterized during consecutive arcing periods is provided to reduce nuisance tripping by cutting off power for load through tripping of an interface of an electric device or preventing tripping of the interface of the electric device in a processing unit. A method for detecting arc faults characterized during consecutive arcing periods comprises the following steps of: sensing at least one signal related to the input of power, wherein the detected signal indicates at least one electric arcing event; generating plural accumulated signals corresponding to at least one detected signal, wherein each accumulated signal is generated during each time period; measuring at least one level related to each accumulated signal; deciding the first number of times of the consecutive time period during which a level related to each accumulated signal exceeds a designated minimum value(1210); designating at least one electric arcing event as the arc fault if the first number of times of the consecutive time period exceeds a first critical value(1212); and designating at least one electric arcing event as a nuisance condition if the first number of times of the consecutive time period does not exceed a first critical value.