BLUE JAY AFR-M Arc Flash Protective Relay Instruction Manual
- June 10, 2024
- BLUE JAY
Table of Contents
AFR-M Arc Flash Protective Relay
Arc Flash Protective Relay
The Arc Flash Protective Relay is a device used to monitor and detect arc faults in switchgear systems. It is installed in the busbar PT cabinet or excitation PT cabinet with sufficient space. The device comes with optical fibers that need to be connected from each arc starting probe to the host.
Preparation before Installation
- Determining the installation position and on-site inspection: Check the geographical distribution of the switchgear and determine the installation positions of the host, CT, and optical fiber. During the on-site inspection, check to prevent other items from occupying space.
- Determining the path of the arc probe fiber: Drill holes on the bulkhead to pass through the optical fiber, and connect to the secondary wiring hole/bus duct on the top of the switchgear to the host.
- Using PVC pipe to protect the optical fiber: Use PVC pipe to pass through optical fibers that need to be connected to the host through the cable trench.
- Measuring fiber lengths and determine required quantities: Measure the length of the optical fiber from each arc starting probe to the host and summarize the number of required fibers.
- Planning current CT wiring mode: Plan the current CT wiring method before construction, including using a group of CTs alone or using a group of CTs in series with other protection CTs.
- Preparing the list of items for installation: Prepare all necessary items like screws, nuts, gaskets, shrapnel, cable ties, positioning pieces, PVC pipes, tightening screws, wrench, pliers, and three tools needed to make fiber optic splices (wire strippers, crimping pliers, and cutting pliers). In addition, prepare the flash and its charger as experimental supplies.
On-site Installation
Arc light probe installation principles:
Install the arc light probe in such a way that the busbar in the switchgear is
completely within its monitoring range and preferably placed in the upper left
corner or upper right corner facing the busbar.
Tel : +0086-023-67628702
www.cqbluejay.com
Add : 1802,Building 2,No.88,Jianxin East Road,Chongqing,400020,China
Email :tech@cqbluejay.com
Preparation before installation
-
Determining the installation position and on-site inspection
According to the project configuration, check the geographical distribution of the switchgear, and determine the installation positions of the host, CT, and optical fiber. It is usually installed in the busbar PT cabinet or excitation PT cabinet with sufficient space. During the on-site inspection, it is required to check to prevent other items from occupying the space. -
Determining the path of the arc probe fiber
The busbar is located in the later part of the switchgear, and the optical fiber needs to pass through the front half to connect to the host. It needs to drill holes on the bulkhead to pass through the optical fiber, and connect to the secondary wiring hole/bus duct on the top of the switchgear to the host. -
Using PVC pipe to protect the optical fiber
If the switchgear is divided into two rows, some optical fibers need to be connected to the host through the cable trench. To protect these fibers, use PVC pipe to pass them through. Therefore, it is necessary to prepare a suitable PVC pipe as a fiber optic conduit. -
Measuring fiber lengths and determine required quantities
After determining the positions of the host, CT, and optical fiber, it needs to measure the length of the optical fiber from each arc starting probe to the host and summarize the number of required fibers. When repairing on site, it needs to bring the correct amount of fiber. -
Planning current CT wiring mode
Planning the current CT wiring method before construction, including using a group of CTs alone or using a group of CTs in series with other protection CTs. -
Preparing the list of items for installation
Screws, nuts, gaskets and shrapnel needed to fix the probe bracket; cable ties needed to tie the optical fiber; positioning pieces needed to fix the optical fiber; PVC pipes required for laying the optical fiber; tightening screws The required wrench and pliers; and the three tools needed to make fiber optic splices (wire strippers, crimping pliers, and cutting pliers). In addition, you need to prepare the flash and its charger as experimental supplies.
On-site installation
Arc light probe installation principles
The installation principle of the arc light probe is to make the busbar in the
switchgear completely within its monitoring range, preferably placed in the
upper left corner or upper right corner facing the busbar. Refer to the figure
below, the left picture is the busbar in the switchgear, and the right picture
is the arc probe placed in the upper right corner of the switchgear.
Steps and Precautions for Installing Optical Fiber on the Switchgear
Open front door of switchgear, use electric drill to bore hole in front
partition for optical fiber. Hole may be rough and have burrs when fiber
passes through. To prevent damage to fiber’s outer skin, use combustion casing
with resistance. See figure below for details.
Optical fiber bundling method and schematic diagram for connecting the
probe
All the optical fibers connected to the probe must be bundled neatly, pass
through the wiring holes in turn, and finally connected to the master control
unit or arc unit. The following two pictures are for reference.
Optical fiber numbering principles
Each optical fiber needs to be numbered, usually based on the number of the
switchgear or the method of describing the position of the probe. After
numbering, use label paper or numbering tubes to stick (or wrap) on the
optical fiber. In this way, when the arc protection is activated, we can
quickly lock the specific switchgear according to the probe address reported
by the device, and quickly find out the fault location. Probe Installation
for Connecting Busbars
Sometimes due to space constraints, the busbars need to be divided into 2
rows, so there must be connecting busbars above the 2-section busbars, and
probes need to be installed here. Usually, 2 contrasting probes can be
installed at both ends of the busbars. See the following figure for details.
Tips
and Considerations for Installing Probes
When installing the probe, if the space of the connection cabinet is small,
the installation location should be reasonably selected, and the probe should
be kept away from the busbar as far as possible, and the search angle should
be maximized. Use switchgear screw holes instead of cutouts. The optical fiber
routing should also follow the trend. If there is a small hole at the corner
to facilitate the passage of the optical fiber, there is no need to open
another hole.
Panel installation method and size (unit: mm) 
Fiber laying skills
The optical fiber needs to be protected in a PVC pipe through the cable
trench, and the corner is connected with a hose. See Figure below. 
Tel : +0086-023-67628702
www.cqbluejay.com
Add : 1802,Building 2,No.88,Jianxin East Road,Chongqing,400020,China
Email :tech@cqbluejay.com