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Arc Fault Circuit Interupters (AFCI)

This Article Is under Construction.  I apologize for any inconvenience

 

  AFCI's are one of the newer additions to the NEC.  In this article I will be discussing the Basics of AFCI's, wiring practices, NEC Code, Installation, Troubleshooting, and end with Questions and Answers.  The NEC is a publication by the NFPA to which many local jurisdictions adopt as their Electrical Code.  In Washington State for example, We have Adopted the 2008 NEC code. We also follow the WAC (Washington Administrative Code) & some Jurisdictions, such as Seattle, Bellevue and Everett have City Building Codes that we have to follow.  Your Local authority may or may not adopt the NEC as code, however most do.  Check with your local city or county building Departments to find out which codes may apply to your local jurisdiction. If this article Doesn't answer the question you are looking for, feel free to go to our contact page and ask.  I will get back to you as soon as possible.

 

The Article Below will cover the Following:

  1. Basic Explaination of AFCI's and how they work
  2. NEC (National Electric Code)
    • 210-12(A)
    • 210-12(B)
    • 210.12 Explained
  3. Installing an AFCI Breaker
  4. Troubleshooting an Arc Fault
  5. Q&A

 

 

Arc Fault Protection

  

Arc Fault is one of the NEC's newest codes, which focuses on bedroom receptacles.  For those who aren't familiar the NEC is the National Electric Code.  Arc Fault is similar to a GFI (Ground Fault Interrupting Circuit) but we'll get into those some other time.  The intention is to detect even the slightest interruption in the circuit and trip the breaker.  As it states in the Code Book in article

"210.12(a) Definition.  An arc-fault circuit interrupter is a device intended to provide protection from the effects of arc faults by recognizing characteristics unique to arcing and by functioning to de-energize the circuit when an arc fault is detected."

"210.12(b) Dwelling Unit Bedrooms.  All branch circuits that supply 125-volt, single phase, 15- and 20-ampere outlets installed in dwelling unit bedrooms shall be protected by an arc-fault circuit interrupter listed to provide protection of the entire branch circuit."

   Now the definition I Briefed above and that is pretty self-explanatory.  Part B states that all 120v bedroom outlets throughout the home will be arc-fault protected, and by a device capable of protecting the entire circuit from start to finish.  At this time an Arc-fault breaker either 15 or 20 amp is your only current method of arc-fault protection.  Also by definition in the code, an outlet is defined as any opening within the room.  Lights, smoke detectors, switches, receptacles as well as 120v Electric or fan assisted heaters are considered Outlets.  The goal here is to prevent arcs from outlets catching linens and other things in your bedroom on fire.  Especially in the kids room!  So although it is a new inconvenience and causes prices to go up on electrical installations, it is a worthwhile cause. 

 

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Hi-Lo ELectric Inc.

Serving Seattle, Everett & Bellevue