ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area Arc Fault

Now that arc fault breakers are required on all bedroom receptical circuits; can anyone tell me the reasoning behind this? I don't mind doing it, yet, I do like to know why I am doing this. Please help!

I'm not going to write this in UL terminology, but in plain english as "my humble opinion":
The requirements for arc fault devices probably are derived from statistacal data on causes of fires. It makes sense that if there is an arc in a bedroom near the beding there is a good possibility of a fire. This is the best logic that I can think of at this time. Possibly, in the near future arc fault devices will be required in other locations.

BTW, here in NJ, the arc fault requirement was not adopted, and is presently not in force.

John

GEC-1...it really depends who you talk to.....the story around here is..... the inventors spent a tonne of money on R&D on this breaker and when it went on to the market, nobody was biting. However, by approaching fire dept. and building inspectors, they made it law and let the dollars roll in!

Don't know how true this is, but if you ask me, I think Arc Faults are better served for older residential houses.

Here is my personal beef with AFCI's. They are required in bedroom circuits in case the occupant is sleeping. But what if a Arc related fire starts in the hallway receptacle on the other side of the bedroom receptacle? What if a arc related fire starts somewhere else in the house? and so on and so on.

The CPSC is making a proposal sweeping as it is that all revamps,of old construction, 120 volt circuits will have to be AFCI protected, this is for the 2005 code.

Hotline1 any reason why AFCIs were not adopetd in New Jersey ??

WOC

Now I have a reason for the arc faults. Here on GA. they are required in all bedroom recept. circuits. I guess different states adopt the NEC at different times. Thanks again all for the info!

Now here we go again.

I was just discussing this with a fellow Inspector and other electricians.

The electrician that I recently did a rough inspection for on a single family dwelling was under the impression that the arc fault breaker was only to protect the RECEPTACLE circuit.

The interpatation that we got was that all bedroom "outlets" were required to be arc fault protected.

This includes all 120V receptacles, lighting and SMOKE DETECTORS. (the smoke detector was the subject of our conversation.)

I even looked up some past topics and found this to be discussed before.

What do you guys say? Just receptacles or evrything that I listed above?

WV66, you do a lot of homes. What do you have to do?

I put in smoke detectors as per CABO, and Arc-faults as per 210.12 . The Greenbrier has spec'd for them on all dwellings started after 1-01-02, so the last dozen or so have AFCIs, including the one I wired last summer.

The detectors are powered from the first bedroom AFCI circuit, and all bedroom lights, including closets, are also on the AFCI for each bedroom respectively.

The Greenbrier also specs for #12 minimum, so they're all 20A circuits.

Bear in mind, no inspections here, except for the PoCo. This is how I do it, but I'm not "made" to do it, other than my own conscience,



[This message has been edited by sparky66wv (edited 12-26-2002).]

No inspections here.

My understanding is that if an area ( municipality) has adopted a code such as the NEC, an actual inspection is not required, but the installation MUST be installed per the adopted code or be at least as the minimun of the adopted code.

i attended an NEC 2002 training course earlier this year, and the instructor told us that:
1. Historically, more fires started in bedrooms.
2. That extension cords were used more, by far, in bedrooms. ($1.99 cheapo #16 or #18 types)
3. That bedding combustibility was a big concern. (someone rolls over, or throws off a blanket or comforter)

Sandro - i agree with you, why just the bedrooms? i predict that all breakers will have AFCI protection in the future. could save a lot of lives - especially in older buildings if retrofitted.

And the price will come down when they are mass produced.

I remember when the first VCRs cost $5000.00.

Ed