resqcapt19 Wrote:
"electure,
You are making my point for me. The AFCI required by the code is a branch circuit protection device and only provides limited protection for the types of faults in your post. If we are going to require AFCIs we should wait for the receptacle type that will provide much better protection for arcing faults that originate on the load side of the receptacle. This rule was pushed by the breaker manufactures to get their product into the code at the expense of the development of a superior product. At this point the code does not permit the use of a receptacle type AFCI even if it was on the market. The problem with lack of protection on the load side of the receptacle protected by an AFCI breaker was ever recognized by one breaker manufacturer who submitted a proposal that would have required both AFCI breakers and receptacles. So, I'm not complete against the requirement for AFCIs, I just think it should be revised to provide the most protection. I just don't believe that the majority of electrical fires in newly constructed dwelling units originate in the fixed wiring system. The vast majority originate on the load side of the receptacle where the required AFCI breakers only provide limited protection. Also how will these devices stand up under the test of time? I seem to recall reading that over 50% of GFCIs more than 7 years old are not functional.
Don(resqcapt19)"
Don
Were did you get the 50% failure rate in 7 years figure. I do not have a different one but that does not jibe with my experience. I have three church summer camps in my care as to safety issues. We have installed GFIs on every circuit were we have a possibility of campers using the circuit. The camps are located at or near the ridge lines of mountain ranges and two of the camps suffer lightning strikes every year. We installed the first GFIs in 1984 and completed the work in 1987. All but two are still in service. The two that failed were in a building that had a lightning strike within five feet. That is only two failures out of some sixty GFIs installed fourteen or more years ago.
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Tom
[This message has been edited by tdhorne (edited 12-01-2001).]
