Originally Posted By: Vince Santos This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I was at Home Depot the other day and was in the electrical section. I was looking at AFCI’s and one of the boxes said the NEC now requires these to be used in homes. I didn’t know that was the case.
I was under the impression that AFCI's were still a grey area as to whether or not they are all that needed/good to have. Anyone know of NEC requiring these, or is it just a sales pitch from that particular manufacturer?
-- Desire is half of life, indifference is half of death.
--Kahlil Gibran
Originally Posted By: M. Hancock This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
They are required per the 1999 NEC, Article 210-12. “All branch circuits that supply 125 volt, single phase, 15 and 20 ampere receptacle outlets installed in dwelling unit bedrooms shall be protected by an arc fault circuit interrupter(s). This requirement shall become effective January 1, 2002.” This is why there aren’t any AFCI receptacles manufactured, as the entire circuit must be protected.
The 2002 NEC, article 210.12 changed, the word receptacle was removed and now states “…15 and 20 ampere outlets installed …”, which under the '02 code requires that not only receptacles be AFCI protected but also lights and possibly smoke detectors as they are an outlet. Check with your local jurisdiction to see if they have amended the smoke detectors out of this requirement, as the local jurisdiction where I work will do so when we adopt the 2002 NEC.
The 2005 NEC is essentially the same as the 2002, with some exceptions for protecting the entire branch circuit.
NOTE: This requirement is only for installations performed after January 1, 2002. Not a retrofit requirement.
Originally Posted By: Kenneth Hartman This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I agree that you should check with your local jurisdiction. I work for a modular plant and some places require arc fault protection on smoke detectors and some require smoke detectors not to be arc fault protected.
