I firmly believe that the presently available AFCIs are a solution in search of a problem. I base that assertion that they are only required in new construction, were electrical arcing is the least likely; they do not protect against series arcs, which are the most common; and there has been no independent analysis of the cost benefit of the devices. If they were required for any circuit supplied from replacement panel equipment in existing construction that does not have a listed equipment grounding conductor in the circuit I could at least believe that a real problem was being addressed. If the NEC had not forced the installation of the BETA version of these devices we would have seen a lot more progress towards a fully developed device by now.
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Tom Horne
"This alternating current stuff is just a fad. It is much too dangerous for general use." Thomas Alva Edison
