Now .... for the BIG question .... would Arc-fault current interrupting breakers have prevented this?
Maybe. This is, naturally, exactly the sore of thing for which they are advocated. Yet ....
Advancing technology is no excuse for madly improper methods. Under earlier (pre-AFCI) rules, this fire would not have happened had:
- The installer been qualified; and,
- Had the cable been properly supported and protected.
Sort of like the driver who feels comfortable driving faster in snow 'because I've got 4 wheel drive,'... I fear that one result of this 'safer' wiring technology will be the casual reliance on that technology to compensate for taking additional chances.
Exactly my opposition to the change!!
HARDWADEGUY: Back off the dogs! They have a usefull purpose, For example....ummmm...wait I'm thinking.
