ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area arc fault

I'm doing a remodel and the inspector is asking about the arc-fault protection. To date I have'nt been hit with them yet this is a first, I must admit that I've been waiting for this day. Not that I've been trying to side step the issue, it just was never pushed hard around here. My understanding is that all of the bedroom circuits need this type of breaker. I'm I missing anything else that I should know on this subject?

All the circuits that feed the bedroom outlets need AFCI protection at the panel.

All 15 and 20 Amp, 120 volt Outlets...

This includes switches and smoke detectors; even switches operating an outside light. Make sure that you separate the grounded conductors on 3-way switching in multi-gang boxes when you have AFCI and General lighting in the same box. Joining AFCI protected grounded conductors with non-AFCI will caused the AFCI breaker to "trip". This can be very problematic in a remodel!

Just received the Dec. issue of Electrical
Contractor magazine. Bottom of page 27, Mr. Flach says the switch does not have to be AFCI protected. In my last code update class the opinion was the the switch did have to be protected.

It is my understanding that lighting circuits/switches not controlling receptacles do not have to be AFCI protected in bedrooms nor do smoke detectors. Read the NEC for what the intent of the AFCI as defined and perhaps it will be easier to understand.

If you are using the 2002 NEC, then branch circuits that serve the bedroom outlets must have GFCI protection. A switch is not an outlet, but if the switch controls lights, receptacles or other loads in the bedroom, it will be on a bedroom branch circuit and require AFCI protection. If the switch controls loads outside of the bedroom, them AFCI protection is not required by the NEC.
Don

I wouldn't want anyone to wire a smoke detector to an AFCI breaker in my house let alone anyones. If the breaker works and turns off the circuit, it would have done it because it sensed an overcurrent condition or an arc fault. Hopefully this arc fault that it sensed doesn't start a fire because if you don't have a battery backup in your smoke you might just have a very long sleep.

[This message has been edited by RobbieD (edited 12-20-2004).]

Battery backup smoke detectors are and should be a requirement. They are required here, as well as to be interconnected, with any new construction and in a remodel if feasable. If they can't be interconnected, then a hard wired/battery backup detector must be installed in all bedrooms, halls and common areas. If an arc fault occurs on their branch circuit causing a fire, the battery will allow the detector to do its job. If the battery is dead, the detector will have signalled with a "beeping", alerting you to change the battery.

Anyone care to post the NEC Article that requires that smoke detectors are required to be hard wired and have battery backup?

The requirement will be in the building code.