I put this on another site as well,Thought I'ld try it here too.
Just a twist:

210.12.(B)- Arc fault-For dwelling units, straight forward.

210.18-Guest suites and guest rooms.
If they have permenant cooking (kitchen) they fall under "dwelling unit".210.12.(B). Understood.

Now, forward to 210.60-guest suites,dorms etc.assuming no "kitchen"provisions.
It only states to be in accordance with 210.52.
But 210.52 or 210.60, makes no referance back to 210.12(B).


So, My question is: In a guest suite,dorm rm etc.(210.60) With no "kitchen",
Do these ckts require AFCI?

I see a loop hole. Or is it tunnel vision?

Appears to me that there is no loop to have a hole in. 210.52 and 210.60 deals with the placement of receptacle outlets and 210.12 deals with the protection of all outlets and the branch circuit conductors. Two different animals IMO.

You don't need to look that hard ....

Would you like to continue to use 'skinny' breakers? Would you like to never have to install an AFCI? Then simply use 10 amp breakers .... the requirement only applies to 15 and 20 amp circuits.

Even if the AHJ went along with the 10 thing you would still need more circuits to get the 3va/sqft. Wire, breakers and labor would eat any saving you had from the AFCI savings

We just need to get manufacturers to make 19-amp breakers. Problem solved!

What kind of receptacle do you propose to put on the 10 Amp or 19 Amp breaker?

Do they even make a 10A twin breaker? Do not think useing them is such a hot idea,myself (10A breakers)

I guess my point was...

That bedrooms are the reasoning behind this rediculouse AFCI crap to begin with.

But in rooms with no other purpose except to sleep, not required.
Does this not seem strange?

The whole thing seems strange, IMHO. We've been putting AFCI breakers on REC circuits to bedrooms for years.

Is arcing really a plague that required this type of regulation? I've been in this business for 12+ years, in all facets of comercial, residential, and industrial. I haven't seen a need for such a code change. Maybe I've been lucky and limited in my experience.

No AFCI required for dorm rooms?
What happens when Biff captures the rival football teams mascot goat, hides him in the dorm and the goat partially chews through one of the half dozen six-foot 18/2 extension cords connected together that run under the braided rug to the other end of the dorm room where the lava lamp, stereo, TV, DVD player, Mac notebook and mini-frig are plugged in?

(From MIT)

And that is all run under 2' of clothes and paper.

From your friends Down Under comes a 110V 10A receptacle that will fit your wallboxes quite nicely...



More info:
http://updates.clipsal.com/ClipsalOnline/ProductInformation.aspx?CatNo=415/110&ref=

Ryan gave you the exact reason for why the rule is what it is over at the other forum.

Do you think Ryan was giving you a line?

NO.