First off let me say that I am no fan of AFCIs and how they seem to be pushed on us before they really work.
For the purposes of this post lets assume AFCIs do what there supposed to.
celtic said:
IF the big issue with AFCI protection is protecting the wiring from various installers penetrating the insulation....why not require a AFCI test procedure of the ENTIRE home before occupation?
It seems to me they are just as worried about things that may happen in the future. Say grandma decides to use a 16d nail to hang a picture.
Now the HO moves into a problematic free home...and let the manufac.s put the silly ends on their products.
The EC sells a safe product...the manufac. sells a safe product.
That leaves the circuit unprotected which goes against what seems to be the intent of AFCIs.
When we start getting into homes built prior to 2002, AFCI protection is non-existent. It may very well be decades before the home is re-sold and - in some localities - require various death defeating devices like AFCI protection. But in the meantime...what? Let 'em burn?
How is that different from all the homes that do not comply with todays code?
But then WHY....is there GFCI cord sets on dryers?
Obviously, to ward off a Darwin Award for a person....and as we both agree, does nothing for the BC.
Still apples and oranges to me.
A GFCI on the appliance cord will get the job done.
An AFCI on the appliance cord will not get the job done.