Testing for Cable Arcs

Cable arcs are not always this apparent. In many cases micro-arc occur in cables, harnesses and connectors and can lead to rapid decay, intermittent failures, permanent faults and safety concerns.

Electrical arcs occur when electricity unexpectedly jumps from one wire to another, to another component.

Potential Causes of Arcs:

• Damaged dielectric, wire, insulation, connector

• Insulation faults, decay

• Shrink tubing faults (cut, melted)

• Components damaged during the manufacturing process, from mechanical connector crimping to heat shrink ‘heating’

• Poor soldering

• Excessive component clamping forces

The EZX product line can not only test cables and harnesses to ensure the manufacturing process has not introduced any potential faults but it can also test in-service cables and harnesses for potential insulation issues, both which could lead to arcs.