Replies

1. 
   DanH | Jan 03, 2014 06:59pm | #1

   Your electrician should know the code -- if not ask your electrical inspector (and consider getting anothe electrician).  In general, the latest code requires AFCIs in all bedrooms, and probably a few other places.  But your local "AHJ" may not have yet adopted that code, or may wink at the requirement.

1. 
   gfretwell | Jan 04, 2014 12:11pm | #2

   It depends on what you mean by "latest code".

   Since 2008 the NEC requires AFCI just about everywhere in residential.

   In 1999 they specified bedrooms, to kick in 2002. The 2002 code expanded that and it gets more universal in every cycle since. The 2014 embraces the "device type" that fits in a regular box for the first outlet in the circuit

   [quote]210.12 Arc-Fault Circuit-Interrupter Protection

   Arc-fault circuit-interrupter protection shall be provided as required in 210.12(A) (B), and (C). The arc-fault circuit inter- rupter shall be installed in a readily accessible location.

   (A) Dwelling Units. All 120-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-ampere branch circuits supplying outlets or devices installed in dwelling unit kitchens, family rooms, dining rooms, living rooms, parlors, libraries, dens, bedrooms, sunrooms, recreation rooms, closets, hallways, laundry areas, or similar rooms or areas shall be protected by any of the means described in 210.12(A) (1) through (6):

   (1) A listed combination-type arc-fault circuit interrupter, installed to provide protection of the entire branch circuit

   (2) A listed branch/feeder-type AFCI installed at the origin of the branch-circuit in combination with a listed outlet branch-circuit type arc-fault circuit interrupter installed at the first outlet box on the branch circuit. The first outlet box in the branch circuit shall be marked to indicate that it is the first outlet of the circuit.

   (3) A listed supplemental arc protection circuit breaker installed at the origin of the branch circuit in combination with a listed outlet branch-circuit type arc-fault circuit interrupter installed at the first outlet box on the branch circuit where all of the following conditions are met:

   a. The branch-circuit wiring shall be continuous from the branch-circuit overcurrent device to the outlet branch- circuit arc-fault circuit interrupter.

   b. The maximum length of the branch-circuit wiring from the branch-circuit overcurrent device to the first outlet shall not exceed 15.2 m (50 ft) for a 14 AWG conductor or 21.3 m (70 ft) for a 12 AWG conductor.

   c. The first outlet box in the branch circuit shall be marked to indicate that it is the first outlet of the circuit.

2. 
   SpeedyPetey | Jan 09, 2014 08:32am | #3

   Arc Fault

   wedalucas wrote:

   Hi All. General contractor with basic knowledge of home electrical work. What are the parameters for using an arc fault receptacle and how do they compare or differ from a ground fault? The last 2 renovations that I have done have required multiple call backs due to the arc faults tripping. I ended up swapping them out for GFCI's. Thanks in advance.

   Wow! Are you aware of the code violation you created?

   Are you aware that GFI's and AFCI's are NOT he same thing?

   IMO you should brush up on the code quite a bit before doing any more electrical work for clients. Better yet, hire a real electrician to do the real electrical work, and by this I mean all electrical work.