Siemens Intelli-Arc®: Diagnosing AFCI & GFCI Breaker Trips

Troubleshooting AFCI and GFCI breaker trips is one of the most time-consuming and frustrating parts of electrical service work. As part of a Trade Hounds–facilitated campaign with Siemens, a licensed electrician put the Siemens Intelli-Arc® Diagnostic Tool to the test in the field—showing how real-time circuit data can help electricians more quickly identify and narrow down arc faults, ground faults, overcurrent conditions, and other issues that cause AFCI and GFCI breakers to trip.

In this post, we break down how the Intelli-Arc works, what problems it helps identify, and how tools like this are changing the way electricians troubleshoot branch circuits.

Watch: Siemens Intelli-Arc in Real-World Troubleshooting

What the Siemens Intelli-Arc Is Designed to Do

The Siemens Intelli-Arc is a diagnostic tool built for qualified electricians to help identify and diagnose problems on branch circuits—especially issues that cause AFCI, GFCI, or standard breakers to trip.

Breaker trips are often doing exactly what they’re supposed to do: protecting people and property from dangerous conditions like arc faults, ground faults, or overcurrent events. The challenge is figuring out why the breaker tripped in the first place.

That’s where Intelli-Arc comes in. Instead of guessing whether the issue is:

• A faulty breaker
• A wiring problem
• Something plugged into the circuit

…the tool provides real circuit data to help narrow it down more efficiently.

Flexible Setup: Panel or Receptacle Testing

The Intelli-Arc can be used in multiple ways depending on the job:

• Installed at the panel to analyze a specific circuit
• Plugged directly into a receptacle for branch-level diagnostics
• Used with a 9V battery for certain troubleshooting scenarios
• Pass-through outlet allows devices to be plugged directly into the tool for testing

Siemens also includes step-by-step 3D installation and usage tutorials in the app, making it easier for electricians to learn how to use the tool correctly and safely.

⚠️ As always, panel installation should only be done by qualified professionals wearing proper PPE and following Siemens’ installation instructions.

Real-Time Circuit Data on Your Phone

Using Bluetooth, the Intelli-Arc connects to the Intelli-Arc Diagnostic App, displaying live circuit data on your phone or tablet. In real-world use, Bluetooth range has proven reliable—even when the panel and the electrician are on different floors.

Key data available on the main dashboard:

• Line voltage
• Average current
• Peak current
• RF noise levels
• Ground-to-neutral status
• Leakage current (hot vs. neutral imbalance)
• Configurable alerts based on user-defined parameters
  

Being able to see amperage and noise levels in real time can make troubleshooting more efficient compared to flipping breakers or swapping devices blindly.

Why RF Noise Matters for Arc Fault Detection

One of the Intelli-Arc’s most valuable features is its ability to detect RF noise, a key indicator of arc faults.

Common arc fault types:

• Series arc faults
  Caused by loose connections or breaks in a single conductor (often the hot wire). These can result from damaged cords, corroded connections, vibration, or worn terminals.
• Parallel arc faults
  Occur when unintended connections form between hot-neutral or hot-ground conductors, often due to nails, screws, damaged insulation, or rodent damage. These faults typically generate even more heat and pose a serious fire risk.

High RF noise levels can signal that one of these dangerous conditions is present—something that’s difficult to confirm without specialized diagnostics.

GFCI Troubleshooting Made Clear

The Intelli-Arc also helps diagnose issues that cause GFCI trips, including:

• Ground-to-neutral faults
  Clearly indicated in the app with visual status indicators.
• Leakage current
  Displays the difference between hot and neutral current. Even small imbalances (around 4 mA or more) can cause a GFCI to trip.

Instead of guessing whether the issue is wiring, a device, or something intermittent, electricians can see the condition directly.

Peak Hold Mode: Catching Intermittent Problems

In Peak Hold mode, the Intelli-Arc records the highest values detected during a session—ideal for catching momentary spikes in:

• Current
• RF noise
• Voltage anomalies

This is especially useful for faults that happen too quickly to catch in real time.

Retrieve Trip Event: Diagnosing After the Breaker Trips

One standout feature is Retrieve Trip Event mode.

If a breaker trips intermittently and won’t fail while you’re watching:

1. Put the Intelli-Arc into logging mode
2. Leave it installed on the problem circuit
3. When the breaker trips, the tool stores data from just before the event

Afterward, electricians can review exactly what happened:

• A sudden current spike
• A ground-neutral fault
• A surge in RF noise consistent with an arc fault

This kind of evidence can reveal whether a specific appliance, load, or condition triggered the trip.

Waveforms, Recording, and Tech Support

The Intelli-Arc allows electricians to:

• Record RF waveforms and electrical data
• Review graphical representations of fault events
• Add notes to recordings
• Share data directly with Siemens technical support for deeper analysis

This is especially helpful when RF noise may come from non-fault sources like LED lighting or appliances, allowing electricians to distinguish between nuisance signals and real hazards.

Why Tools Like Intelli-Arc Matter

For electricians, time is money—and uncertainty is expensive. The Siemens Intelli-Arc gives professionals data instead of guesses, helping them reduce trial-and-error troubleshooting and better understand circuit conditions.

For electricians facing recurring breaker trips, intermittent faults, or difficult AFCI and GFCI diagnostics, tools like Intelli-Arc offer a more informed path forward.