Arc Fault Breaker Required in Garage?

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al

al

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Minnesota
I have a detached garage with feeder from the house to the garage, Now if I run a 3 way back the house with a dead end 3 way switch in the house to control the outside lights at the garage do I need an arc fault breaker in the garage panel?
 
al said:
Now if I run a 3 way back the house with a dead end 3 way switch in the house to control the outside lights at the garage do I need an arc fault breaker in the garage panel?
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No, because the switch (box) would not be considered an outlet. (depending on your code)
 
I disagree and would would say "yes" as you have a device (switch) in one of the dwelling unit rooms requiring AFCI.
 
augie47 said:
I disagree and would would say "yes" as you have a device (switch) in one of the dwelling unit rooms requiring AFCI.
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That's why I mentioned the code; we're still on '14 and only have to cover bedroom outlets.

Plus, whether switch boxes are considered to be outlets has been debated quite a bit here.
 
LarryFine said:
That's why I mentioned the code; we're still on '14 and only have to cover bedroom outlets.

Plus, whether switch boxes are considered to be outlets has been debated quite a bit here.
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The 2014 says "outlets or devices", a switch is a device.
 
LarryFine said:
That's why I mentioned the code; we're still on '14 and only have to cover bedroom outlets.

Plus, whether switch boxes are considered to be outlets has been debated quite a bit here.
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2014 code added kitchens and laundry to already included spaces of residential family rooms, dining rooms, living rooms, parlors, libraries, dens, bedrooms, sunrooms, recreation rooms, closets, hallways or similar rooms.
Inspector I had when we first went to 2014 indicated the switch in a room area that would require and AFCI would require AFCI protection even if it only was controlling something outside of the required areas
 
Fred B said:
Inspector I had when we first went to 2014 indicated the switch in a room area that would require and AFCI would require AFCI protection even if it only was controlling something outside of the required areas
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That is correct. Under the 2011 it wasn't required for a switch.
 
Here in KC and surrounding municipalities, we had all kinds of fits over what constituted an outlet. Technically, any electrical opening is an outlet.

The wording should have specified receptacles.

Ever since about 2003 or 2004, we've been AF protecting every electrical opening in those areas requiring it. Even smoke detectors.
 
al said:
I have a detached garage with feeder from the house to the garage, Now if I run a 3 way back the house with a dead end 3 way switch in the house to control the outside lights at the garage do I need an arc fault breaker in the garage panel?
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In 1965 my folks paid $20k for a 4-bdrm near Cal State Fullerton (LA suburb) w/ detached garage, which sold "As Is" to a house flipper for $650k in 2018.

This property value increased 30 fold, while private sector pay & benefits fell during the same period, when adjusted for inflation.

Many homes are now occupied by multiple generations of the same family, or as rentals with the garage remodel using extension cord wiring to suspend blankets as partition spaces.

No AFCI is needed per new-work code NEC 210.12, which specifically excludes garage, nor AFCI at house switch per replacement code, NEC 406.4(D)(4), which is explicitly limited to receptacles.

A wireless 3-way switch avoids new work NEC 210.12 at house, when paired with similar 3-way switch at detached garage (AFCI exempt)
 
don_resqcapt19 said:
The term "outlet" is not intended to mean receptacle.

While a receptacle is a special type of outlet, the connection between the branch circuit wiring and the utilization equipment is an outlet. All equipment is connected to an outlet.
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I think I didn't say it right earlier because my two posts look conflicted.

I agree that an outlet is any receptacle, switch, light, smoke detector, or any other equipment. I don't believe junction boxes are outlets.

I'm firmly convinced that when arc fault protection was to be required for bedroom outlets, they specifically had receptacles in mind.

As I understood it years ago, one original intent, or maybe even the only original intent, was to provide protection against bedroom fires caused by faulty plug-in electric blankets et al

With that in mind, I always wondered why not just require afci on the cord?
 
James L said:
I think I didn't say it right earlier because my two posts look conflicted.

I agree that an outlet is any receptacle, switch, light, smoke detector, or any other equipment. I don't believe junction boxes are outlets.
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A switch is not an outlet and that is why the term "device" was added to the AFCI rule a couple of cycles ago.
 
don_resqcapt19 said:
A switch is not an outlet and that is why the term "device" was added to the AFCI rule a couple of cycles ago.
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It seems you're wavering back and forth between what constitutes an outlet in a general sense versus an outlet as it pertains to an afci circuit.

We're talking past each other I think
 
James L said:
It seems you're wavering back and forth between what constitutes an outlet in a general sense versus an outlet as it pertains to an afci circuit.

We're talking past each other I think
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Based on the NEC definition of an outlet, a switch is not an outlet. Period. AFCI has nothing to do with it.
 
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