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#13310 08/30/02 08:50 PM
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 141
E
elecbob Offline OP
Member
I've made it a practice to install smokes on a dedicated 15 amp (#14) circuit. It isn't required by code but it seemed like a good idea to me. Anyone else here feel the same?
Bob

#13311 08/30/02 08:53 PM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 914
E
Member
That's the way we do it also.

#13312 08/30/02 09:04 PM
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 10
N
Member
elecbob,
IMHO, They should be put on a dedicated branch circuit due to endless possibilities/scenarios that could arise causing failure of these life safety devices.
However, in my area the AHJ has adopted the 2002 which require the smokes to be on AFCI if located in Bdrm. Therefore the cost effective method thus far has been to include them on one of the Bdrm AFCIs. BTW,JMHO
Regards, Andrew

#13313 08/30/02 09:11 PM
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,148
R
Member
Many areas have rules that prohibit smoke detectors from being on their own dedicated circuit. The are required to be put on a commonly used circuit so that if the circuit was off for any reason, action would be taken to restore power to the commonly used circuit and the detectors.
Don


Don(resqcapt19)
#13314 08/30/02 09:17 PM
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 175
E
Member
I believe Smoke Alarms should be supplied from a lighting circuit so that there is less chance of the supply being inadvertantly shut off, and not noticed.

Ed

#13315 08/30/02 10:21 PM
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 141
E
elecbob Offline OP
Member
I guess any fire serious enough to cause a breaker trip on a lighting circuit would first be detected by the smokes so maybe the argument that they should be shared with something that would alert occupants that there is a problem with the circuit is valid. Recently, in a duplex I fed them from a dedicated circuit off of the seperate house panel feeding the basement. The inspector said nothing. Regarding AFCI's: I thought only outlets in bedrooms needed protaction. Do smokes and lights need protaction too? What about dedicated HVAC receptacles (including 120/240 volt) in bedrooms?
Thanks
Bob

#13316 08/31/02 01:08 AM
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 597
E
Member
Quote
210.12 Arc-Fault Circuit-Interrupter Protection.

(B) Dwelling Unit Bedrooms. All branch circuits that supply 125-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-ampere outlets installed in dwelling unit bedrooms shall be protected by an arc-fault circuit interrupter listed to provide protection of the entire branch circuit.
Quote
Definition.
Outlet. A point on the wiring system at which current is taken to supply utilization equipment.
An example is a lighting outlet, a receptacle outlet, smoke detector outlet, 15 or 20 A, 125 V AC outlet, etc.


Al Hildenbrand
#13317 08/31/02 02:01 AM
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 141
E
elecbob Offline OP
Member
Thank you for the clarification ElectricAL. The electrical inspecters around here have certainly been lax in their enforcement on AFCI's.
Bob

#13318 08/31/02 03:56 PM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,527
B
Moderator
They cost more, and seem to come fitted with the cheapest of 9V battery, but apparently some NorCal jurisdictions require combination AC- and DC-powered detectors. Maybe a ‘value-added’ homeowner-optioned adder for new construction?

#13319 08/31/02 05:02 PM
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,148
R
Member
Al,
How do I find a current and voltage rating on an "outlet'???
Don


Don(resqcapt19)
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