Ok, so you need AFCI breakers pretty much everywhere now, except where the ciruit is protected by a GFCI outlet or breaker. Question is what are the requirements during a remodel, say of a kitchen. Not adding any circuits, just altering existing outet
locations, light can locations etc. Do the breakers on these existing circuits need to be changed to AFCI, or can you just leave them be?
Local code manual is extremely opaque about this.
I realize that adding a new circuit requires that the new breaker be AFCI unless its GFCI protected.
My local big box store still carries a huge display of standard breakers. The AFCI breakers are locked up in a cage and sell for $50 a pop and are not offered in the slimline version. Looks like its going to be awhile before the “market:” catches up with the code.
I am in California.