Reducing Multi-tap Electrical Fires using Microcapsule Fire Extinguishing Patches

Abstract

The fire at the Coupang Deokpyeong Logistics Center has spurred studies to reduce the damage caused by multi-tap electrical fires. One solution is a microcapsule fire extinguishing patch with a built-in fire extinguishing agent. To confirm the efficacy of the fire extinguishing patch in curtailing electrical fires, a complex electrical fire in a multi-tap due to overload and tracking was simulated. In the absence of the fire extinguishing patch, continuous flame discharge occurred as the overcurrent reacted with internal combustibles, resulting in a short circuit due to final tracking and a risk of exposure to flames at 1,187s. In contrast, when an overload was applied to the multi-tap with the fire extinguishing patch for 2,400 s, the fire extinguishing agent stored in the microcapsule was released, preventing ignition of the combustibles inside the multi-tap and the formation of the carbonic electric conductive pass due to cooling, suffocation, and anticatalyst effects. Therefore, the overload did not lead to a fire, confirming the ability of the patch to retard electrical fires in the multi-tap. Evaluation of the effect of the location of the fire extinguishing patch showed that the fire extinguishing effect was most significant when the fire extinguishing patch was attached inside the multi-tap.