ECN Forum Forums Code Related Discussion NEC & other Code issues AFCI Question

I still get blank looks when asking for the availability of AFCI's at my local supplier. I can only hope they will have them by the year's end...

I fear that houses I'm working on now may not get the final punchout until 1-1-02...
I've been careful to wire all bedrooms circuits so that adding AFCI's will be easy.

I've been successful in my sales pitch of AFCI's (got a rewire coming up...the owner likes the idea... especially on any circuits we can't replace...) but I need to follow up...

Heck...I don't even know what they'll cost here!

You could resort to ordering them off the Internet.

'66,

Do you think that will be enforced where you are? I mean that AFCIs' will be required on work done now but not Final inspected until after 1-1-02 ?

Bill

Even if it isn't enforced, he wants to be able to say that he complied with Code so he isn't liable if a house ever burns down after he was there.

The problem arises when the original quote did not allow several hundred dollars for AFCI's and special wiring practices.

Bill

>special wiring practices.
What do you mean by that beyond what he has already done?

First thing that comes to mind would be not using 3 wire cables.
More wire, More Time, = More $$

Now I'm lost...

3 wire...?

I'm confused here...



For this job I'd like to offer as an upgrade with the extra $$$ to go with it.

I only want to convince my supplier to start carrying them, I guess...

In fact, I just left a lengthly message on the manager's voice mail concerning same...

Hey, it's their job!

[This message has been edited by sparky66wv (edited 07-26-2001).]

Virgil,

What I meant by the 3 wire mention is that the AFCI Breakers are only single pole breakers. Can they work on a Multiwire circuit? (SP GFCIs' can't) You'd have to run individual circuits.

BTW, I just asked my local AHJ this morning about enforcement on this subject and They will be going by installation date, not final inspection date.

Bill

>AFCI Breakers are only single pole breakers.
Cutler-Hammer offers 15 & 20 A SP & DP in types BR and CH.

>Can they work on a Multiwire circuit?
SP, no. DP, I hope so!