New the business, I took the online course, and it said that
in the bedrooms as 2002, Afci receptacles are now code.
As there anybody out there who could put a picure of one online.
David Nasser
Pyramid-Home-Inspections
Here you go. Always good for a search on google. Try the image section.
In 2008 all single pole breakers will be required to be AFCI if the coordinating committee doesn’t change something from the ROP. It is amazing that they are mandating universal installation of a technology that is still in development but that is just my opinion.
Personally I think the NFPA/government is out of control. Maybe it’s time to throw some AFCIs in the harbor.
Thanks
Thanks everbody, those pictures did the trick…
Greg,
On this issue I agree…I do not agree with the idea of AFCI’s on all 1-pole breakers…however since I am in VA…lol…and we are usually 3 years behind each code change…it will be 2011 before we have any visions of that if it goes through.
But you are right…to me a bit over the top at this point.
See this for various types of AFCI’s:
Joe,
I think greg and I are simply voicing our displeasure of AFCI’s on all 1-pole circuits…not their function…
Oh snap…your post was for the original poster…Sorry Brother…just got my panties in a BUNCH over the AFCI on all 1 pole thing…thehehe
I wonder if anyone has done a heat load calc with a couple dozen AFCIs in the same panel in an uncooled garaage in the summertime.
If you don’t agree with any of the proposals you can send in a Public Comment and ask for a Reject.
Be sure to give your reasons why.
http://forums.nfpa.org:8081/pcsubmit/pctop.html
Here’s the Proposal Greg mentions here:
210.12 Arc-Fault Circuit-Interrupter Protection.
(A) Definition: Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI).
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 deenergize
the circuit when an arc fault is detected. [ROP
2–119]
(B) Dwelling Units. All 120-volt, single phase, 15- and
20-ampere branch circuits installed in dwelling units shall
be protected by a listed arc-fault circuit interrupter, combination
type installed to provide protection of the branch
circuit. [ROP 2–105, 2–142, 2–111]
FPN No. 1: For information on types of arc-fault circuit
interrupters, see UL 1699-1999, Standard for Arc-Fault
Circuit Interrupters.
FPN No. 2: See 11.6.3(5) of NFPA 72®-2007, National
Fire Alarm Code® for information related to secondary
power supply requirements for smoke alarms installed in
dwelling units. [ROP 2–118a]
FPN No. 3: See 760.41 and 760.121 for power supply
requirements for fire alarm systems. [ROP 2–143]
Exception: The location of the arc-fault circuit interrupter
shall be permitted to be at other than the origination of the
branch circuit where the arc-fault circuit interrupter is installed
within 1.8 m (6 ft) of the branch circuit overcurrent
device as measured along the branch circuit conductors.
[ROP 2–147, 2–137]
Are AFCIs available in slim (mini) breakers? If not, the proposal would limit the number of circuits that could be added to the panel.
Steve,
Why is that…?
The maximum amount of OCPD's in a panel is 42.....last I checked the AFCI's take up the same space a single pole breaker so the proposal is just saying the current single pole 15A and 20A breakers used now will have to be AFCI breakers........so really does not change the maximum number of OCPD ( breakers ) allowed in a panel...Paul,
I was wondering if AFCI were manufactured in half-size, for use in, say, a 12/24 panel. A lot of the homes I’ve seen didn’t have a full size panel. The only way to fully utilize all 42 spaces was to use half size breakers.
Go to www.ul.com and search for this product. I doubt that they are available now, and may not be unless they can meet the UL Standards for testing.
Steve,
42 is the MAX the code allows in an enclosure and has nothing to do with what the actual enclosure allows. If the enclosure is a 12/24 then it will only allow 24 OCPD within it to meet that enclosures rating.
What the NEC is saying is you can’t have more than 42 in a given enclosure…but you can certainly have less.
I do not believe AFCI's come in half sizes......not that I have seen and actually it should not effect anything....the proposal is simply saying all normal 15A and 20A breakers would have to now be AFCI Breakers ( in the 2008 proposal ) so it would not change anything as far as spaces or number of breakers....
Paul: Do you have the UL Directory “White Book” 2006 edition yet?
NO…gimmie…Gimmie…Gimmie…