Arc Fault Circuit Breaker Requirements

Solve an afci tripping problem.

Arc fault circuit breaker requirements.

Where afci are needed. An arc fault circuit interrupter afci also known as an arc fault detection device afdd is a circuit breaker that breaks the circuit when it detects an electric arc in the circuit it protects to prevent electrical fires. Use afci circuit breakers to add arc fault protection to the entire length of existing circuits. Reset an arc fault breaker like you would a standard circuit breaker.

Afci and gfci requirements. So where are arc fault breakers required for 2017. An arc fault circuit interrupter or afci is required on certain circuits to protect against electrical fires by cutting power when arc faults occur. Eaton offers code compliant electrical safety devices including arc fault circuit interrupters that reduce the risk of fire to ground fault circuit interrupter cable assemblies receptacles and portable gfci kits that help protect against.

Nfpa 70 national electrical code nec first required arc fault circuit interrupters afcis in the 1999 edition. You ll find afcis in the main electrical panel or a subpanel. An afci selectively distinguishes between a harmless arc incidental to normal operation of switches plugs and brushed motors and a potentially dangerous arc that can. Help create safer living spaces and provide valuable electrical safety and protection by understanding the requirements for afci and gfci protection.

As of 2017 afci requirements have greatly expanded. Arc fault circuit interrupters 2017 nec update the 2017 nec update has increased the requirements for arc fault circuit interrupters afcis. While these devices were previously only required to protect the bedroom the 2008 nec now requires the technology to. Afci arc fault circuit interrupter requirements for homes the arc fault circuit interrupter is designed to turn off an electrical circuit when an arc is detected that can lead to a fire or other hazardous conditions within the range of the protection that the afci is able to detect.

Afci in main panel. Keep reading to find out. A combination arc fault circuit breaker is not equivalent to a dual function circuit breaker. Before 2008 afcis were only required to protect bedrooms.

But beware the combination function that is identified on recently. The 2005 edition required combination afcis which respond to both parallel and series arcs for all electrical circuits that supply outlets in bedrooms of new homes. With ever changing electrical code requirements a circuit breaker with the ability to provide both arc fault protection as well as ground fault gfci protection was long overdue.