Tesla:
I agree on some of your points. The mfg literature, available video clips, and other forms of advertising that I have seen, and have leaned toward the nail in the NM arc.
Back in first look at AFCI, I questioned the issues of abused 'cords' on appliances, extension cords, lamps, etc. The AFCI evolved into the 'combo' for series & parallel arcs, and supposedly protected the utilization equipment & branch circuit.
Be all that as it may, the states that adopted the various editions of the NEC, have to live with the code, unless there are local or stste amendments. Here in NJ, AFCI was mandated with the 2008 NEC (in mid 2009). We all learned to 'live with it'. ECs complained, Inspectors complained, homeowners complained, builders complained....and in the end, we all live with it.
I have not heard of anyone removing, or bypassing an AFCI.
Now, I'm looking forward to the still elusive AFCI device. It's here, somewhere & I requested a 'sample' from a Leviton Rep, & haven't heard a word back.
BTW, In my EC days, I stayed as far from resi as I could!
