Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Device (Branch Feeder AFCI, Combination AFCI), By Application (Residential, Commercial/Industrial ) And Regional Forecast, 2024-2032

An arc fault occurs when there is unintended arcing due to the current flowing through an unplanned path. This unintended arcing can cause severe damage to the surroundings in the form of a fire due to the extremely high heat generation. The arc-fault circuit interrupter helps prevent this by detecting arc faults. AFCIs are designed to detect even the lowest levels of arc faults which the other protection devices often tend to overlook. AFCIs are especially useful in electrical circuits based in remote locations where immediate help is impossible in an electric fire. This infrastructure works well with another device called GFCI.

Based on type, the market is classified into branch feeder AFCI and combination AFCI. The combination AFCI segment accounted for a significant market share. It is anticipated to maintain its attractiveness during the forecast period, as it detects both series and parallel arc conditions, providing a broader range of arc detection and better protection of the electrical grid.

Based on the application, the global market is classified into residential and industrial/commercial sectors. The residential sector has been favored more during the pandemic considering the household occupancy has increased and the time spent inside. The residential segment of the AFCI market is also expected to rise steadily due to these measures by the governments that require mandatory installations of preventive electric network systems. On the other hand, the industrial/commercial segment hit a slump due to the COVID-19 induced lockdowns. However, it is expected to rise manifold after the effects of the lockdown dissipate and the construction and other commercial activities gain pace again.

Several countries worldwide lean towards a more widespread and mandatory installation of AFCIs in residential and commercial settings. In developed regions like parts of North America and Europe, regulatory safety measures are being taken. Prime examples of these can be found in the rules regarding installing AFCIs in the U.S. and U.K. The national electrical code of the U.S. requires mandatory installation of AFCI in residential and commercial establishments. U.K. and Germany require AFDD (Arc Fault Detection Device) installation, which is similar to the AFCI. This points to the favorable opinion towards AFCIs in different parts of the world.

The key restraint for this market is Nuisance Tripping, which occurs due to improperly wired circuits. In addition, the sensitivity of the AFCI sometimes works against its effectiveness. For example, its hypersensitivity to harmless frequencies like radio stations or other similar signals leads to unwarranted power cuts. As a result, the effectiveness ratio is negatively affected, stagnating the market growth.

Key Players Covered:

Some major companies in the arc fault circuit interrupter market are ABB, Eaton, Fonrich New Energy, Legrand, Leviton, Santon Holland B.V., Schneider Electric, Siemens, SolarBOS, GE, Amphenol ICC, and I.M.O. Precision Controls Ltd.

Regional Analysis:

The global arc fault circuit interrupter market is studied across different regions like North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. North America accounted for a significant share of the global market, as most government norms focus on utilizing the arc fault circuit interrupters. The North American demand is also increasing due to the growing population and rise in electrification in the U.S. and Canada. Asia-Pacific is the fastest-growing region for the global arc fault circuit interrupter market, owing to the rising construction activities in developing nations such as India and China. China and Japan are significant contributors to the market in the region. The governments of these countries are considering AFCI and making its implementation mandatory. In the Middle East and Africa, the G.C.C. have experienced electrical fires that can lead to massive fires due to the abundance of fuel. Due to the increasing residential and commercial hazards caused by electrical fire breakouts, reliance on AFCIs is anticipated to increase exponentially in the future. U.K. and Germany are major markets in the European region, owing to widespread mandates for electrical safety.

Segmentation

Key Industry Developments

• In June 2021, The Chinese company Growatt, manufacturer of inverters, launched a new high power Inverter M.A.X. 100-125KTL3-X LV. It is intended for heavy-duty solar power plants with 500 W+ output companion units. It has an AFCI function for added protection due to the increasing demand for AFCI.


• In June 2021, Huawei launched its green inverter with intelligent AFCI function support which automatically shuts down within 0.5 seconds to ensure active safety of the systems.