i am getting different advice on where arc fault COMBO breakers should be used and where STANDARD arc fault breakers should be used relating to new home construction...different inspectors have been making different rulings causing me several call-backs...i have been doing what they ask but i am not sure if what they are asking is correct...if you know the correct application please let me know...thank you...
arc fault vs arc fault combo breakers
- Thread starter rodneee
- Start date
- Status
- Location
- Logan, Utah
I agree with 480.
Combination arc fault breakers have been required since January 1st 2008.
The "Standard" arc fault breakers were called branch/feeder type arc fault breakers.
Keep in mind that Combination type AFCI breakers are not a combination of GFCI and AFCI protection. The Combination type AFCI breaker combines both parallel arc protection and series arc protection. The old branch/feeder type AFCI protection only provided protection for parallel arcs and did not provide protection for a series arc.
Chris
Combination arc fault breakers have been required since January 1st 2008.
The "Standard" arc fault breakers were called branch/feeder type arc fault breakers.
Keep in mind that Combination type AFCI breakers are not a combination of GFCI and AFCI protection. The Combination type AFCI breaker combines both parallel arc protection and series arc protection. The old branch/feeder type AFCI protection only provided protection for parallel arcs and did not provide protection for a series arc.
Chris
al hildenbrand
Senior Member
- Location
- Minnesota
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor, Electrical Consultant, Electrical Engineer
I am not sure I understand your question. When you say "STANDARD arc fault breaker", do you mean a breaker without a "test" button on it, that is, a simple $4 single pole overcurrent / short circuit protective circuit breaker?
It seems you are asking what rooms and areas of a dwelling does 210.12 require the combination type AFCI to be installed for. Yes?
Al, the old AFCI breakers, when they first came out, are not 'combination' type, as Chris explained. They only detected parallel faults. A "Combo" AFCI detects both parallel and series faults.
al hildenbrand
Senior Member
- Location
- Minnesota
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor, Electrical Consultant, Electrical Engineer
Yes, I know of the two types of AFCI:
- Branch Feeder type
- Combination type
Turning the question back to you, Ken, what Code requires the Branch Feeder AFCI in some areas of a dwelling, and Combination AFCI in others? Local code, maybe . . . I've not heard of it yet, myself.
growler
Senior Member
- Location
- Atlanta,GA
Where are you located, that may help a little in answering your question.
None that I'm aware of. 210.12 requires all combos.
al hildenbrand
Senior Member
- Location
- Minnesota
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor, Electrical Consultant, Electrical Engineer
Rodnee,
Maybe this eight page thread: Article 210.12(B) AFCI Requirements will help you to think about the problem? There is a spirited discussion of "area" vs. "room".
The thread starts with a deceptively simple question.
Maybe this eight page thread: Article 210.12(B) AFCI Requirements will help you to think about the problem? There is a spirited discussion of "area" vs. "room".
The thread starts with a deceptively simple question.
to clarify
to clarify
in my original post when i say "STANDARD" i refer to a cutler hammer CH115AF...when i say "COMBO" i refer to a cutler hammer CH115CAF.(sorry if the terminology was wrong)...my confusion is as follows: one jobsite, the inspector wants CH115AF for the bedrooms only...another jobsite, the inspector wants CH115CAF for the bedrooms only...another jobsite, the inspector wants CH115CAF for the bedrooms and CH115AF for the rest of the house...another jobsite, the inspector the same thing, but gives me a list of rooms to be excluded ie garage, laundry room, unfinished basement and more etc...the list goes on... we work in 40 +/- jurisdictions many with building inspectors wearing many hats including electrical...
to clarify
in my original post when i say "STANDARD" i refer to a cutler hammer CH115AF...when i say "COMBO" i refer to a cutler hammer CH115CAF.(sorry if the terminology was wrong)...my confusion is as follows: one jobsite, the inspector wants CH115AF for the bedrooms only...another jobsite, the inspector wants CH115CAF for the bedrooms only...another jobsite, the inspector wants CH115CAF for the bedrooms and CH115AF for the rest of the house...another jobsite, the inspector the same thing, but gives me a list of rooms to be excluded ie garage, laundry room, unfinished basement and more etc...the list goes on... we work in 40 +/- jurisdictions many with building inspectors wearing many hats including electrical...
Main city or cities? We have WAC rules for the state which supercede the NEC, and then city codes superceding WAC rules. It takes some digging into the WAC/RCW sometimes around here.
- Status