ECN Forum Forums Code Related Discussion NEC & other Code issues Arc Fault Requirements

From an e-mail requesting info...


Eventually, this led me to the old Siemens tec-support # in my area 1-978-685-6077.
and an 8 pg fax from the Mar/April 00' NFPA journal, a great dissertation on the attributes and styles of AFCI's , but no mention of any( of the 5 styles)addressing a multiwire circuit.

It is frustrating to talk to manufacture's that don't even know what they make

Update,
Having finally reached a 'Real Human' as well as a sparky @ Siemens, I have learned that they DO NOT MAKE a 2-pole AFCI to address multiwire circuits.
He claimed that they had numerous calls on multiwire compliance, and that they were 'working on it'....


counting to 11.......

[This message has been edited by sparky (edited 02-14-2002).]

Dear Steve

We are only making 1 pole AFCI breakers at this time. Sorry

Thank you for your Square D inquiry


Schneider Electric/Square D Company
Jim Betournay
Product Support Specialist
Customer Information Center
1-888-778-2733

12.....

Cutler Hammer will not have the
\"AFIT\" until Nov 02' , distributors will probably not have them until 03'....
http://www.ch.cutler-hammer.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?

13....



[This message has been edited by sparky (edited 02-15-2002).]

Cutler-Hammer has two pole Arc Fault breakers available. We have independent trip and common trip. Common trip meet the requirements of 210-4 for multiwire circuits on the same yoke. The independent trip can be used on home run circuits. The date on the website was a mis-print. It should have read November of 2001. The web page has been updated, and you can find the cat numbers at http://www.ch.cutler-hammer.com/NAS...8&Sec=products&uid=Variables.uid

It appears Cut-Ham has cornered the market...

If one company has cornered the market, I don't think any code can legally require the use of that type of equipment.
Don(resqcapt19)

As far as retro-active code compliance, a few of our local suburban Phila. townships have Use & Occupancy Certificate requirements for transfer of real estate. Along with the current requirements of installing GFCIs, Ground rods, and a few other things, I was informed that as of March 1st, they will also require AFCIs in order to sell a home. I am going to notify the realtors that I work for that the average cost of U&O related electrical work will now likely increase by a few hundred dollars. This does not include the problems I will encounter when I come across a Pushmatic of FPE panel. What's a fella to do? Whole panel changeout, subpanel? I dunno!

Redsy,

Ooooo!
That's another can of worms there.

Bill

Don, code doesn't mandate the home run wiring method, it mandates the use of AFCI. We've developed a product that allows contractors to continue wiring homes using the same methods they've been using, and we save them a ton of time and money. I think I'll leave it up to the contractors which they would prefer to do:
A. Use competitor A's product that requires me to change my wiring method and wire two runs of 2 conductor, or:
B. Use Cutler-Hammer's two pole AFIT, and continue to save labor by using three conductor.

Hmmm....which would you choose???