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Joined: Jan 2011
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When will the AFCI receptacles be available?

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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 64
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Your utter silence tells me you don't know.

Joined: Apr 2002
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PAteen:

There are quite a few threads on the elusive AFCI device in the forum.

The 'latest sighting' was within the 2011 NEC Changes book(s), again showing the 'prototype' device from P&S Legrand. My person info on this is from a P&S rep; "not available!"

End of story!


John
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 764
K
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AFAIK, they are still not currently available and since they aren’t required for replacement purposes until 2014, my guess is that manufactures are probably not in any rush to produce them.

Joined: Jan 2011
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I wish they are available now, for even more safety in my extension cords. My house is wired with romex, so I cannot use them there.

Joined: Sep 2006
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C
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why would you not be able to use them on romex?? confused

Joined: Jul 2004
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210.12 Exception No. 1: Where RMC, IMC, EMT or steel armored cable, Type AC, meeting the requirements of 250.118 using metal outlet and junction boxes is installed for the portion of the branch circuit between the branch-circuit overcurrent device and the first outlet, it shall be permitted to install a combination AFCI at the first outlet to provide protection for the remaining portion of the branch circuit.


Greg Fretwell
Joined: May 2005
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I was told by one of the manufacturers that they realize that they'd sell a ton of them in Chicago, where metallic conduit is required for just about everything; but that they doubt that starting up a product with only 1 local market makes any economic sense.

And if Chicago ever drops that requirement...there would be zero buyers anymore.

Something tells me that these will not be available...at least not from any of the usual reputable manufacturers.


Ghost307
Joined: Jan 2011
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I can see it being used. Not too often, though.

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Cat Servant
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HUH?

As I see it , the real advantage is for use in replacing existing receptacles in existing construction. I believe it is the intent to require such a receptacle to be used in repairs to non-AFCI-protected circuits after the next code cycle.

(Guess that means they'll want them to be tamper-resistant as well. Can this possible become more of a cluster-flock than it already is?)

Likewise, the 'first receptacle' business allows us to add AFCI protection to an old home that has a fuse box or obsolete panel. Since the expressed purpose of these gizmos is to prevent fires from frayed wiring, it seems logical that it's the OLD homes that need them the most.

There's a certain amount of BS in the distribution chain. When AFCI's were first introduced, Leviton was swearing, and the UL plant inspector verified, that they had pallets of these things in the warehouse. Yet, Graybar was telling me that they were 'not available.' I ran into a similar issue with CED. Only several months after the AFCI requirement was locally adopted did the things suddenly become 'available.'

It's not the only item where the supply house, and the manufacturer, had differing views. Heck, I've often encountered different views between the manufacturers and their own advertising. Sometimes I'm amazed that anything ever reaches the intended user!

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