I read a little snippet in the paper today regarding AFCIs (Arc Fault Circuit Interupters) and that they were suggesting people look into adding them to their homes if they have older wiring as it may be a good way to prevent electrical fires in older homes. It supposedly trips the circuit if something shorts out.
Since we have an older house, that has an outlet that recently stopped working, I’m thinking that I should maybe look into getting these put in when the electrician comes out for the outlet. Thought I’d ask the experts in here as well to see what the ‘word on the street’ is with these things.
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There was a recent discussion about it here, you might try the search... or flip through the energy section.
FHB also had a good article about it a few months/issues back
CAG...gotta find my pile of back issues...thanks for the info!
NEC requires them in new construction for bedroom circuits only. They are circuit breakers, not recpticals, so trace the circuit you want to but one on. Older homes are not generaly laid out for an easy retrofit of AFCIs. Be prepared to pay $35.00 to $45.00 for a single breaker.
Look at Square D web site for a good explanation of what they do and why they were developed (other than more profit for the mfgs).
Dave