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The committee has asserted that AFCI devices (not breakers) are readily available, and that 2-pole combination AFCI breakers will be available if the market demands them.

So, I put out this call:

1) Anyone with an actual picture of an AFCI device - NOT something cropped from a 10 yr. old catalog - please provide a picture of the device; and,

2) Anyone with substantiation that, for whatever reason, 'combination' AFCI breakers can NOT be made in a 2-pole version, please post that information.

Thanks.

I saw an ad/press release that Siemen's (I think) has a 2-pole available now. Weather it's on the shelf apply house is another matter.

The mysterious AFCI 'device' may be akin to the Loch Ness monster, or the tooth fairy.

In the words of the Christmas Dragnet distorted with my aging memory.

"I believe! I believe!"

"What about the Easter Bunny?"

"Yeah, him to. Though I'm still not sure about Cincinati."

I havent checked the links in this thread yet.
http://www.electrical-contractor.net/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/187383/AFCI_breakers#Post187383

Doug:
That's it.
Thanks for the link.

OK ... so here is where it seems to stand:

There DO exist 'combination' 2-pole AFCI's, at least from two makers. Square D seems intent on discouraging the use of all MWBC's. I'm beginning to see where some of the recent code changed relating to MWBC's comes from.

That leaves the elusive AFCI device. Anyone have a picture of one?

Reno:
"That leaves the elusive AFCI device. Anyone have a picture of one?"

Popular consensus is that there is no such animal, yet!

BTW, my thought to to the 'metalic raceway xx feet to an AFCI could be interperted as within a structure that has an obsolete panel, a subpanel could be installed...with a metalic raceway of xx feet. That would kind of make sense of this NEC reference.

John,


I have a picture of the AFCI device. It is in the computer next to the picture of that old Jersey Devil that we have heard about. I will find it . ( someday)

After sending the 2 pole combination link from Siemens web page to my wholesaler (GE distributor) he started beating the bushes and came back assuring me that GE had them in the works. I won't be pulling any multiwire homeruns to the bedrooms until I have one in my hand though.

I wouldn't install one I had to warranty until they were in the field for a while. Remember the SqD fiasco.