I think the answer is self evident with the inclusion of the word “all”.
I’m not so sure that ‘all’ 15 and 20 amp residential curcuits COULD be included as AFCI capable.
IMHO
What it tells me is this…Kitchen Counters…you will have to place either a GFCI receptacle at the counter top and an AFCI in the panel…or a AFCI/GFCI Breaker in the panel…either way it does say ALL…no exceptions I see written otherwise.
Seems to me us code proposal guys now need to inform them that in future additions when talking about GFCI requirements on a counter top…they should just say…GFCI/AFCI’s are required…lol
Ok…Ok…I will leave the 2008 NEC® alone for now…
TRU?E:neutral:
Great (and inexpensive) way for manufactures to get their product out on the market!!! Make it code, and the money rolls in!!! Much of the NEC is items pushed by the industry.
Maybe we should make home inspections mandatory!!!
Where does it say kitchens and bathrooms need AFCI protection?
It doesn’t…it almost said that but was revised at the last moment (kinda) to exclude those areas for the 2008 NEC. Read my previous posts a few back of the new virbiage.
Thanks Paul 
Did they come up with a main disconnect yet that would be cheaper than replacing all the breakers? Lots of wiring. The Electricians are going to have to raise their prices again.
I do think its a good idea though, it could potentally save a lot of lives.
**210.12 Arc-Fault Circuit-Interrupter Protection.
(A) Definition: Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI). **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.
**(B) Dwelling Units. **All 120-volt, single phase, 15- and
20-ampere branch circuits supplying outlets installed in
dwelling unit family rooms, dining rooms, living rooms,
parlors, libraries, dens, bedrooms, sunrooms, recreation
rooms, closets, hallways, or similar rooms or areas shall be
protected by a listed arc-fault circuit interrupter,
combination-type, installed to provide protection of the
branch circuit.
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.
FPN No. 3: See 760.41(B) and 760.121(B) for powersupply
requirements for fire alarm systems.
*Exception No. 1: Where RMC, IMC, EMT or steel armored
cable, Type AC, meeting the requirements of 250.118 using
metal outlet and junction boxes is installed for the portion
of the branch circuit between the branch-circuit overcurrent
device and the first outlet, it shall be permitted to
install a combination AFCI at the first outlet to provide
protection for the remaining portion of the branch circuit.
Exception No. 2: Where a branch circuit to a fire alarm
system installed in accordance with 760.41(B) and
760.121(B) is installed in RMC, IMC, EMT, or steel armored
cable, Type AC, meeting the requirements of
250.118, with metal outlet and junction boxes, AFCI protection
shall be permitted to be omitted.
*
The information below came from our local Square D Rep. off subject for this topic, but I thought it was interesting.
There is only one true way to field test an AFCI and that is by using the test button on the AFCI itself. The Ideal Sure Test units are UL listed as AFCI indicators (not testers). AFCI indicators may not recognize all AFCI breakers, and should not be relied on to determine functionality of an AFCI circuit breaker.
The UL approved method of testing an AFCI circuit breaker is to press the push-to-test button when installed in an energized load center or panel. This test injects a signal into the AFCIs sensor that looks like an arc to the AFCI. A properly functioning AFCI will trip when the test button is pushed.
Paragraph 31.8.1 of the UL 1436 standard requires the AFCI Indicator instructions to effectively state that the test button on the AFCI circuit breaker demonstrates proper operation.
Because of complaints from builders and electricians who didn’t fully understand the AFCI the Great Grand Exhalted Governor of the State of Ohio recently rescinded the 2008 NEC and reverted to the 2005 NEC as the code of choice for the great State of Chaos…I mean Ohio.
The builders didn’t like the cost, either…
Code Alert: Ohio, 21 May 2008 // we must put this out here to override the function if it’s cached function authorForm1123(pageid, controlid, controltypeid, add, edit, select, isGlobal, hasData) { strurlstring = “pageid=27771&controlid=” + controlid + “&controlTypeID=” + controltypeid + “&editRights=1&approveRights=0”; if ( add == 1 || edit == 1 ) { if ( isGlobal == 1 && add == 1 && hasData == 1 ) newdata = 0; else if ( add == 1 ) newdata = 1; else newdata = 0; newWindow(“submit_data”,"/stds/fieldreps/codealerts/loader.cfm?url=/commonspot/controls/custom/submit-data.cfm&newData=" + newdata + “&” + strurlstring); } else if (select == 1) newWindow(“select_data”,"/stds/fieldreps/codealerts/loader.cfm?url=/commonspot/controls/custom/select-data.cfm&" + strurlstring); else alert (‘You have no permissions to use this element. Check with your administrator.’); }
Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review (JCARR) (attachment) has scheduled a hearing for June 2, 2008 1:30 P.M. William McKinley Room (Statehouse Room 121)77 South High Street (Concourse Level) Columbus, Ohio 43215 (614) 466-4086 www.jcarr.state.oh.us to review the OBBS proposed rule change affecting the 2008 National Electrical Code.
The Director of JCARR, Mr. Bill Hills encouraged interested parties to testify at this hearing, however he cautioned that testimony for the JCARR hearing is limited to the criteria that may invalidate a proposed rule. JCARR does not have the authority to vote for or against a particular rule, rather they can only invalidate a rule if it does not meet one of the required criteria. NEMA sent a letter to JCARR on April 10, 2008 requesting a review the Rule Summary and Fiscal Analysis. See (4) of the criteria required to be met.
Is there more info than this? The above came from NEMA.
I thought it was only the interior rooms and not the kitchen, bathrooms nor laundry room. Those were to be GFCI protected. Right? Wrong?
The 2008 revision covers the following Russell,
Family Rooms, Dining Rooms, Living Rooms, Parlors, Libraries, Dens, Bedrooms, Sunrooms, Recreation Rooms, Closets, Hallways, or similar rooms or areas.
210.12 Arc-Fault Circuit-Interrupter Protection.
(A) Definition: Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI). 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.
(B) Dwelling Units. All 120-volt, single phase, 15- and 20-ampere branch circuits supplying outlets installed in dwelling unit family rooms, dining rooms, living rooms, parlors, libraries, dens, bedrooms, sunrooms, recreation rooms, closets, hallways, or similar rooms or areas shall be protected by a listed arc-fault circuit interrupter, combination-type, installed to provide protection of the branch circuit.
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.
FPN No. 3: See 760.41(B) and 760.121(B) for power-supply requirements for fire alarm systems.
Exception No. 1: Where RMC, IMC, EMT or steel armored cable, Type AC, meeting the requirements of 250.118 using metal outlet and junction boxes is installed for the portion of the branch circuit between the branch-circuit overcurrent device and the first outlet, it shall be permitted to install a combination AFCI at the first outlet to provide protection for the remaining portion of the branch circuit.
Exception No. 2: Where a branch circuit to a fire alarm system installed in accordance with 760.41(B) and 760.121(B) is installed in RMC, IMC, EMT, or steel armored cable, Type AC, meeting the requirements of 250.118, with metal outlet and junction boxes, AFCI protection shall be permitted to be omitted.
The definition of arc-fault circuit interrupter given in 210.12(A) explains its function. The basic objective is to de-energize the branch circuit when an arc fault is detected.
Arc-fault circuit interrupters are evaluated in UL 1699, Standard for Arc-Fault Circuit-Interrupters, using testing methods that create or simulate arcing conditions to determine a product’s ability to detect and interrupt arcing faults. These devices are also tested to verify that arc detection is not unduly inhibited by the presence of loads and circuit characteristics that may mask the hazardous arcing condition. In addition, these devices are evaluated to determine resistance to unwanted tripping due to the presence of arcing that occurs in control and utilization equipment under normal operating conditions or to a loading condition that closely mimics an arcing fault, such as a solid-state electronic ballast or a dimmed load.
UL 1699 is the standard covering arc-fault devices that have a maximum rating of 20 amperes and intended for use in 120-volt ac, 60-Hz circuits.
These devices may also have the capability to perform other functions such as overcurrent protection, ground-fault circuit interruption, and surge suppression. UL 1699 currently recognizes five types of arc-fault circuit interrupters: branch/feeder AFCI, combination AFCI, cord AFCI, outlet AFCI, and portable AFCI.
Placement of the device in the circuit and a review of the UL guide information must be considered when complying with 210.12. The NEC is clear that the objective is to provide protection of the entire branch circuit. (See Article 100 for the definition of branch circuit.) For instance, a cord AFCI cannot be used to comply with the requirement of 210.12 to protect the entire branch circuit.
The type of AFCI required to comply with 210.12(B) was the subject of a revision in the 2005 Code. To expand the level of AFCI protection for cord sets that are plugged into receptacles supplied by AFCI-protected branch circuits, the use of combination-type AFCI devices is required. These devices provide the combined protection required by UL 1699 for branch/feeder and outlet type AFCIs. The product standard requires specific marking on AFCI devices to indicate the type of protection provided. Combination-type AFCIs bear such a marking. Exhibit 210.21 is an example of a circuit breaker that provides combination-type AFCI protection. In addition to the revised type of AFCI protection required, the location of the AFCI device in the circuit now provides a new option. The exception permits the AFCI device to be located at the first outlet supplied by a branch circuit, provided that the wiring method from the circuit overcurrent protective device to the outlet is rigid metal conduit, intermediate metal conduit, electrical metallic tubing, or steel armored cable. These wiring methods afford a higher level of physical protection for branch-circuit conductors. There is no length restriction on the branch-circuit conductors from the OCPD to the first outlet as long as the conductors are contained within one of the wiring methods identified in Exception No. 1.
Courtesy: www.necplus.org
More Great Information](http://ecmweb.com/nec/electric_afcis_brink_home/)
PS: Where’s John Bowman, please stop by and have a chat!
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Until such time that the Chairman of the Ethics Committee can arrange to have them deleted, all posts from Joe Tedesco should be ignored.
AFCI’s save lives they should be installed!
For the Record:
Joe Tedesco has been expelled from InterNACHI twice, the last time for making telephone calls to a member’s employer attempting to have him fired from his job. Mr. Tedesco is unbalanced and should not be engaged in conversation on the message board.
Until such time that the moderators who are approving his posts have been replaced or have been given additional instruction to refrain from authorizing his posts, members are warned that this person identifying himself as Joe Tedesco has been known to stalk and harass NACHI members…off the message board, involving their wives and their employers…and should not be involved in converation.
Until such time that the Chairman of the Ethics Committee can arrange to have them deleted, all posts from Joe Tedesco should be ignored.