The creep of the residential AFCI

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dnem

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The Sith Lord known as Darth AFCI first arrived in
1999 for bedrooms and was became effective on 1-1-02 [in states that adopted]
2002 was no expansion [other than the building of the death star]
2005 was still bedrooms only but AFCI was required to be combo [series & parallel arcs] effective 1-1-08
2008 was the massive expansion of the empire to engulf family, living, dining, sun, den, recreation, closet, hallways
The only areas of the universe that remained outside of the empire were kitchen, laundry, bath, unfinished [all], garage, outside
2011 was no expansion [but I cant find my 2011 code book right now, so I cant see what "devil was in the details"]
2014 was the cycle that kitchen and laundry fell to the empire
So, currently, the only areas of the universe that remained outside of the empire are bath, unfinished [all], garage, outside

Of course the empire rolled out a total of six...... yes SIX death stars, they can be found at 210.12(A)(1),(2),(3),(4),(5),&(6)

So.... did I cover everything or did I miss something ?

PS. Quickly [without googling or phone a friend] name the differences between the 6 death stars...... and don't just quote the code. Explain how each one is different from the others
 
Wait until 2017 comes around :happyno::rant:

About the only thing that has changed other then expansion is the series arc requirement, something that is not applicable to residential wiring. However it does a fine job of shutting down TVs and vacuum cleaners.
 
dnem said:
The Sith Lord known as Darth AFCI first arrived in
1999 for bedrooms and was became effective on 1-1-02 [in states that adopted]
2002 was no expansion [other than the building of the death star]
2005 was still bedrooms only but AFCI was required to be combo [series & parallel arcs] effective 1-1-08
2008 was the massive expansion of the empire to engulf family, living, dining, sun, den, recreation, closet, hallways
The only areas of the universe that remained outside of the empire were kitchen, laundry, bath, unfinished [all], garage, outside
2011 was no expansion [but I cant find my 2011 code book right now, so I cant see what "devil was in the details"]
2014 was the cycle that kitchen and laundry fell to the empire
So, currently, the only areas of the universe that remained outside of the empire are bath, unfinished [all], garage, outside

Of course the empire rolled out a total of six...... yes SIX death stars, they can be found at 210.12(A)(1),(2),(3),(4),(5),&(6)

So.... did I cover everything or did I miss something ?

PS. Quickly [without googling or phone a friend] name the differences between the 6 death stars...... and don't just quote the code. Explain how each one is different from the others
Click to expand...

First cycle was bedroom receptacles
Second cycle added all bedroom outlets.
 
mbrooke said:
Wait until 2017 comes around :happyno::rant:

About the only thing that has changed other then expansion is the series arc requirement, something that is not applicable to residential wiring. However it does a fine job of shutting down TVs and vacuum cleaners.
Click to expand...

Series arcs occur in residential wiring.

2017 NEC has a first revision of 210.12 here is what it looks like;

(A) Dwelling Units. All 120-volt, single-phase, 15and20-ampere branch circuits supplying outlets or devices installed in dwelling units shall be protected by any ofthe means described in 210.12(A)(1) through (6):
Click to expand...

Chris
 
I suppose that means , wall and baseboard heaters, in floor heat, bath HVL, Laundry, ....

We can always use 240v hardwired devices to avoid AFCI- Not practical.
 
Sierrasparky said:
I suppose that means , wall and baseboard heaters, in floor heat, bath HVL, Laundry, ....

We can always use 240v hardwired devices to avoid AFCI- Not practical.
Click to expand...

Yes, all of those items would require AFCI. About the only thing that would be exempt are 240 loads like a/c units, air handlers, etc.

On that note, there is no way I would install an AFCI breaker for heating equipment. Not a chance in the world, code or not.
 
peter d said:
Yes, all of those items would require AFCI. About the only thing that would be exempt are 240 loads like a/c units, air handlers, etc.

On that note, there is no way I would install an AFCI breaker for heating equipment. Not a chance in the world, code or not.
Click to expand...


Yeah in your neck of the woods not a good idea!
 

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raider1 said:
Series arcs occur in residential wiring.

2017 NEC has a first revision of 210.12 here is what it looks like;



Chris
Click to expand...

They do, but involve mechanical action like a switch. Even if that was a concern I can make and break a lamp cord with a 100 watt bulb and the 5 amp threshold in the AFCI would not catch it.


Simply put arcing is not a problem in residential, or one that AFCI can even mitigate was it true.
 
peter d said:
Yes, all of those items would require AFCI. About the only thing that would be exempt are 240 loads like a/c units, air handlers, etc.

On that note, there is no way I would install an AFCI breaker for heating equipment. Not a chance in the world, code or not.
Click to expand...

People really need to begin mass protecting this. I agree, not a chance in the world is an inverter driven blower furnace getting one of this.
 
mbrooke said:
They do, but involve mechanical action like a switch. Even if that was a concern I can make and break a lamp cord with a 100 watt bulb and the 5 amp threshold in the AFCI would not catch it.


Simply put arcing is not a problem in residential, or one that AFCI can even mitigate was it true.
Click to expand...

Which was determined by UL 35 yrs ago


~RJ~
 
mbrooke said:
People really need to begin mass protecting this. I agree, not a chance in the world is an inverter driven blower furnace getting one of this.
Click to expand...

Already happened , 2nd home, afci dropped old furnace out.

Customer was a PM from 'Mr Big City Construction inc' , insisted on 'combo afci's' for EVERY 120V circuit

~RJ~
 
romex jockey said:
Which was determined by UL 35 yrs ago


~RJ~
Click to expand...


This is what is behind most true electrical fires. If anything the CPSC and CMPs should have gone after this but still refuse to.




romex jockey said:
Already happened , 2nd home, afci dropped old furnace out.

Customer was a PM from 'Mr Big City Construction inc' , insisted on 'combo afci's' for EVERY 120V circuit

~RJ~
Click to expand...


:happyno: If anything insurance companies will be paying out more with AFCIs.
 
peter d said:
The only hope left is to get states to amend the AFCI rules out of their adopted codes.
Click to expand...

i see hope dying a lingering death. not gonna happen.

it could be worse. Title 24:2013 regenerates every three years, until 2030,
at which point perpetual motion will be achieved, buildings will use no power
or water, and return the excess to the grid.
 
Fulthrotl said:
i see hope dying a lingering death. not gonna happen.

it could be worse. Title 24:2013 regenerates every three years, until 2030,
at which point perpetual motion will be achieved, buildings will use no power
or water, and return the excess to the grid.
Click to expand...

No doubt only candles and oil lamps will be compliant with T24 by then.
 
One good use for an AFCI?

One good use for an AFCI?

It makes me feel good to put an AFCI on a knob & tube circuit.
Other than that I find them annoying: in particular vacuum cleaners seem to trip them.
 
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