I guess it’s here
http://www.hetko-us.com:80/rt-afci+gfci.htm
Anybody seen one yet?
Wonderful. Still not code legal though.
*(B) Dwelling Unit Bedrooms All 120-volt, single phase, 15- and 20-ampere branch circuits supplying outlets installed in dwelling unit bedrooms shall be protected by a listed arc-fault circuit interrupter, combination type installed to provide protection of the branch circuit.
Branch/feeder AFCIs shall be permitted to be used to meet the requirements of 210.12(B) until January 1, 2008.
*Merely installing a device at the first receptacle does not protect the whole branch circuit. It would only protect downstream outlets.
Unless they change the wording of the code these will not be legal to use to satisfy code.
However, considering the lobbying work done by manufacturers to get AFCIs pushed on us I bet they could get the code changed to allow these.
Ok…have you and Greg been chatting…tehehhee…I know…it’s a conspiracy out there fella’s…
But I agree…it would take a total rewording to make them meet that code statement…and rewording it to meet it would in my opinion defeat the purpose of the AFCI in general.
Now what they will probably do is enact a 3-6’ proximity rule which means if the AFCI is at the panel and a AFCI receptacle is within 3-6’ from the panel in the same room then it would meet the protection of the branch…only if the 3-6’ is properly protected ( ie: conduit or what have you…)
But thats me yappin in the wind…on a theory
Paul this not theroy but fact.
Exception: The location of the arc-fault circuit interrupter shall be permitted to be at other than the origination of the branch circuit in compliance with (a) and (b):
(a) The arc-fault circuit interrupter installed within 1.8 m (6 ft) of the branch circuit overcurrent device as measured along the branch circuit conductors.
(b) The circuit conductors between the branch circuit overcurrent device and the arc-fault circuit interrupter shall be installed in a metal raceway or a cable with a metallic sheath.
See…I am ahead of my time Mike…thehehehhe Now they just need to write in AFCI receptacles in the overall verbage and we are all set…
Man I love the 2005 NEC…maybe I knew it and was being well…COY about it…
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The justification of the exception is this is a legal way of providing AFCI protection on old panels that will not accept an AFCI breaker (obsolete styles or fuses).
That is why they have the dead front style. It can handle a “no other outlet” circuit like the bathroom. Bear in mind virtually ALL 15/20a 120v circuits will be AFCI in the next cycle.
Yeppers…and I am sure it will be a basis for the acceptance for the AFCI Receptacles in the future…