Arc Mapping: A Critical Review

Babrauskas, Vytenis

doi:10.1007/s10694-018-0711-5

Cited by 19 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…A recent paper by Babrauskas, Arc Mapping: A Critical Review 6 , has shown that arc mapping may not be as instructive as previously believed. In his article, Dr. Babrauskas shows that the published research does not support the notion that arc mapping can reliably indicate an area of origin under most circumstances.…”

Section: Figurementioning

confidence: 99%

State of the Arc (Mapping)

Icove

May²

2021

JotNAFE

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NFPA 921 Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations considers the technique arc mapping to be one of the methodologies used in isolating a fire’s origin and spread. Provided the technique is used properly and understanding its limitations, it is a tool for investigators. Synthesized here is the latest peer-reviewed research and discussions on the implications of increased use of ground- and arc-fault circuit interrupters on arc mapping analysis. Incorporated are case studies and evaluations of recent legal decisions. The goal is to arm investigators with what’s needed to maximize the arc mapping’s efficacy and best present its use and results.

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Section: Figurementioning

confidence: 99%

State of the Arc (Mapping)

Icove

May²

2021

JotNAFE

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“…Babrauskas presented a critical review on arc mapping, a method for graphically documenting a fire pattern based on arc marks on the wiring of a structure, to identify the fire’s origin [ 27 ]. In his comprehensive paper, citing 58 sources, he explains that valid conditions allowing for arc mapping are encountered in less than 1% of building wiring circuits.…”

Section: Phenomenon Of Firementioning

confidence: 99%

Interpol review of fire investigation 2016–2019

Stauffer

2020

Forensic Science International: Synergy

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“…All of the 18 circuits were supplied through 5.49 m (18 ft) lengths of 14-2 NM-B cable with grounding conductors. 1 The wiring samples were connected to the NM-B cable in individual electrical boxes installed beneath the floor and run up through openings in the floor. Each cord specimen had a length of 0.46 m (18 in.)…”

Section: Electrical Test Configurationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These experiments have focused more on the location of the damage to the cable for purposes of examining arc mapping, as opposed to examining the thermal conditions that generated the damage. Babrauskas recently published his literature review of arc mapping which includes references to this body of work [1].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of Flashover Fire Conditions on Exposed Energized Electrical Cords/Cables

2019

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There has been prior research exploring the exposure of common electrical cords and cables to fire, but that has traditionally been at the lab scale and under near steady-state exposures. The goal of these experiments was to expose six types of cords and cables in a room-scale compartment with a fuel load sufficient to drive the compartment through flashover. The basic test design was to expose the cords and cables on the floor of a compartment to a growing fire to determine the conditions under which the cord/cable would trip the circuit protection device. All of the cords were energized and installed on a non-combustible surface. The six cables and cords were protected by three different circuit protection devices which were remote from the thermal exposure. This configuration resulted in 18 exposures per experiment. The room fires experiments consisted of three replicate fires with two sofas as the main fuel source, two replicate fires with one sofa as the main fuel source and one fire with two sofas and vinyl-covered MDF paneling on three walls in the room. Each fuel package was sufficient to support flashover conditions in the room. The average peak heat release rate of the sofa fueled compartment fires with gypsum board ceiling and walls prior to suppression was 6.8 MW. The addition of vinyl covered MDF wall paneling on three of the compartment walls increased the pre-suppression peak heat release rate to 12 MW. In each experiment during post flashover exposure, the insulation on the cords and cables ignited and burned through, exposing bare wire. During this period, the circuits faulted. Assessments of both the thermal exposure and physical damage to the cords did not reveal any correlation between the thermal exposure, cord/cable damage, and trip type.

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Arc Mapping: A Critical Review

Cited by 19 publications

References 10 publications

State of the Arc (Mapping)

State of the Arc (Mapping)

Interpol review of fire investigation 2016–2019

Impact of Flashover Fire Conditions on Exposed Energized Electrical Cords/Cables

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