Afci/gfci

Specific Inspection Topics Electrical Inspections
1

I inspected a home built in 1950 today. In the Kitchen there are 3 prong outlets across the counters. I tested each of them and none them were protected with GFCI outlets. Not all that unusual in some of our older homes. They all showed an open ground, again not all that unusual in some of our older homes.

When I inspected the panel I found a fairly new Cuttler-Hamer panel with relatively new branch wiring, with ground. On the Kitchen circuit I found the breaker pictured here. My first thought was this is just an arc fault breaker, but the test button is more like a rocker switch. when moved in either position it does trip the breaker.

Any assistance on what I am seeing? I am not sure if this is also supposed to be GFCI and it is not wired correctly, or it is not offering the protection.

Thanks in advance,
Kurt

DSCN3877[1].JPG

2

That is a combo AFI/ GFI breaker. I know some of the earlier ones had recalls and were problematic I believe CH especially. That rocker switch should simulate an arc fault one way and a ground fault the other. There is clearly some kind of defect here if this is not cutting power.

3

Are you sure that breaker was a cutler hammer/eaton? To me, it looks like a GE: http://www.geindustrial.com/products/circuit-breakers/arc-fault-circuit-interrupter-afci

4

The panel may be Cutler, but the breaker looks like a GE.

There is also a Square D Homeline breaker in there.

5

It was a Cuttler Hamer 200 Amp Panel, and the breaker was a GE. Had not started to research if GE is acceptable in the CH panel yet.

6

GE is acceptable in a Cutler BR. There are many type BR breakers that are interchangeable.

7

I don’t think Cutler allows any but Cutler. Not sure if any are classified for Cutler.

8

Direct from Eaton

9

To go back to the original question; an external tester will not trip it without the ground. You just test it with the button on the breaker.

The GFCI works without the ground, just not your external tester…

10

I regret to say those breakers do not match the panel. Is see square D and GE in a BR panel.

This video I posted a while back, but its a good one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9hdyYeh4KY

11

That is a GE combo AFCI and it does not have any GFCI features.
http://www.geindustrial.com/products/circuit-breakers/arc-fault-circuit-interrupter-afci

A combo AFCI detects series and parallel arcs along with other basic features.
A basic AFCI does not detect series arcs.

12

Even if the AFCI circuit breakers also provide GFCI protection they are not permitted in lieu of standard GFCI circuit breakers or receptacles which are class A and trip at 4-6ma. If the location for the receptacles requires GFCI protection the AFCI device cannot be used to provide it.

13

To all those who have already said this, you are correct this breaker will not provide ground fault protection. Additionally though if the test switch is not tripping the breaker that is another defect in itself.

14

Thanks for all the replies and the education.

Kurt

15

These DFCI’s are intended for kitchens that need both per the 2014 code.
http://www.geindustrial.com/products/circuit-breakers/dual-function-circuit-interrupter-dfci