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

Section R317 of the IRC

Section 11.6.2 of NFPA 72 does require this, as does NFPA 5000 and the IRC.

Here's another arc fault problem i encountered today.
Was told by the sound and video man today that his plazma tv for the master bedroom cant be on a arc fault......hmmmmm.. it trips when the plazma tv is turned on...Sounds like he has a problem,but he made it sound like its my problem.
Has anyone else had this problem ??
Plazma tv's are a big thing now and their finding their way into the bedrooms.

Currently roughing in several upscale homes with known plasma's in the BR. The only thing the sound/video tech requested is that all electronic equipment (TV's, stereos, smart lighting etc.) throughout the home be wired under the same phase. I wonder if this has anything to do with AFCI trips?

Anybody ever heard of this?

[This message has been edited by Sandro (edited 12-28-2004).]

Sandro;
I built a sound recording studio in my basement and made all the circuits to one phase. It helps reduce noise in the system. Also, If I had my guitar pluged into A phase and started messing with effect equipment on B phase it could introduce THD and sometimes even a little zing if I was touching my strings and grabed another guitar. Plus I would not use fluorescents or dimmers because it introduces noise and static like a radio receiver. Mostly I would try to keep the A/C and heavier loads on one phase and the elctronics on another of course trying to balance the whole panel. If heavy equipment starts up when electronic equipment is on it could cause fluctuations. I'm not a PRO with any of this but I tried to follow basic principles I read up on.

~Andy

AFAIK, the "all A/V gear on same leg" requirement is an attempt to prevent ground loops from causing hum in the picture or audio system. Shared neutrals can also cause problems.

NJwirenut;
I've also spoken to engineers and found a lot of them recomended using an isolation transformer, supposedly helps with noise and can prevent spikes from passing through.

 
Long shot — It may be feasible to rack-mount gear fitted into a partition with power cords on the rear of the equipment, and call the rear/opposite separately enclosed area an ‘equipment room;’ and considered not part of the bedroom.

Also, the AHJ may possibly buy into a newfangled [NEC530/640 “technical-power”] 60/120V GFCI-protected system.

I guess my point is,that an arc faut in a bedroom is CODE.If it trips because of the plazma tv then the peeps that install or build the plazma should know that any bedroom is arc fault protected and its not up to the electrician to rebuild or like the vid/sound tech told me was," to remove the arc fault after insp". lol
I dont think they should be installing these in bedrooms until this issue is solved.
What do you think from my point of view??