ECN Forum Forums Code Related Discussion NEC & other Code issues Tamper resistant: 406.11

Will this also apply to the 240 volt outlets for my computers, and the heavy duty appliances in the kitchen, and big tools in the shop? NEMA 6-15R and 6-20R.

There still seems to be some confusion about what "combo" means. The last time I heard it defined it meant it could find parallel faults on the load side of the plug in addition to the line side, having to do with sensitivity. A fault in a fixture wire will not draw as much current as in branch wiring.

Reading thru mfg info (Sq D & Siemens, so far) the combo detects series and parallel arcs, as I understand it.

Keep in mind that here in NJ AFCI will not be mandatory until the '08 is adopted. Comments to DCA are due before 12/16/2008, and adoption will be 6 months after it is entered into the UCC.

I noticed in the big box store that Sq D * Siemens AFCI CB's are marked down; approx 50% to the $15-$20 range. I venture a guess that the ones on the shelf are NOT combo rated, and are the 'old' type. Only if I know how to distinguish between the 2 without a catalog!

PS: Sq D & Siemens have a lot of info thru there websites.

EDIT:
I just noticed this is the TP thread....ooops! Harold are you starting a thread jack??

Sorry guys

John, the "combo" afci's are marked as such. I have seen the older ones at the Depot and lowes marked way down. Not sure who's buying them as they can't be used legally.

I looked at the packaging, and saw nothing indicating 'type'. For my info, where/how is it marked?

Thanks

Square D's numbering is QO120AFI for the old type and QO120CAFI for the combo. The "C" being the identifier for QO and HOM styles.

Thank you!

I have seen the term "combo" used for AFCI to mean it included GFCI protection. Was this an incorrect usage of the term?

The way I remember this was the first generation AFCI only detected in the wall parallel faults. Then the next "combo" picked up cord parallel faults, then the next combo picked up series faults, but I am not sure those are actually out in general availability. The GFCI/AFCI combo (nothing more than a AFCI with 5ma GF protection instead of 30) is yet another thing and I think CH is the only one with it right now.

All of this does point out the mistake NFPA made in rushing these things into the code too soon. Now we have 2 generations of obsolete AFCIs installed that were put in at the point of a government "gun". How do you explain to your customer that to be really safe they should take out those old AFCIs you sold them as the best thing since sliced bread and put in the new improved ones. Do you really think they will believe you the next time you sell them something?
I really think the manufacturers should be forced to swap out any old style with a new one for free since they were the ones who forced these things into the code a decade before they actually had one that did what they said they were going to do.

If your customers are computer geeks, you can call the new ones "AFCI v2.0"