Electrical arcing occurs when a current from one electrical connection jumps to another, and upon exposure to its surrounding environment creates a flash of electricity. This can result in combustion or fire, and leads to the degradation of the surrounding material and components within the electrical device.
Common causes of electrical arcing:
Breaks in the electrical insulation
Corrosion
Faulty insulation
Exposed surfaces on the conductor
As a consequence, arc suppression is critical for the safety and reliability of manufactured electrical devices. Some epoxy compounds have been specifically formulated to resist electrical arcing – protecting the wiring and its surrounding components from ignition. These compounds do not ignite even after exposure to over 150 arcs during the UL 746A High Amp Arc Ignition test.
Ideal for encapsulating and coating applications, EP21AC passed UL 746A High Amp Arc Ignition test with the highest rating (Performance Level Category or PLC of 0). This epoxy compound, when cured at a thickness of 3.0 mm, withstood over 150 arcs without ignition. It also passed the UL 94HB flammability test.
