Arc fault solution for multiple electric devices

An electric device, comprising:

• an arc fault rated cabinet rated to resist an electric arc,
• an arc quenching device, and
• a global arc fault signal interface,
• wherein the global arc fault signal interface comprises multiple inputs and at least one output and is configured to
• receive an arc fault signal from another arc fault signal interface of another electric device via one of the inputs, and
• activate the arc quenching device via the at least one output,
• wherein the electric device is configured as a medium voltage variable frequency drive comprising multiple power cells, wherein medium voltage circuits of the multiple power cells are configured to withstand short circuit electro-dynamic forces in an event of the electric arc.

An electric system, comprising:

• a plurality of electric devices, each electric device comprising a cabinet,
• a common power source, each electric device being electrically coupled to the common power source,
• wherein a first electric device comprises an arc fault rated cabinet and an arc quenching device, and
• wherein, in an event of an electric arc occurring in any of the plurality of electric devices, energy of the electric arc is transferred to the first electric device and the arc quenching device activated,
• wherein each electric device comprises an arc fault signal interface,
• wherein an arc fault signal interface of the first electric device is configured to receive arc fault signals from the plurality of electric devices,
• wherein the arc fault signal interface of each electric device comprises an arc sensing circuit configured to monitor characteristics of the electric arc;
• the electric system further comprising periodic monitoring of the arc fault signal interfaces to ensure that the arc sensing circuits are intact.