Arc fault nuisance tripping

[shotgunmike]

I am working in a realitivly new subdivision and having several Arc fault breakers tripping apparently intermittenly.
Does anyone have a good solution for location a possible cause. I have replaced several breakers and some of them hold for a while.

 

[rc/retired]

1st, I am sorry. Personally, I believe AFCI breakers are junk. JMHO.
OK, how long did the breakers hold before they failed?
Have you checked for a neutral/ground connection?
What brand of breakers are they?

Ron

 

[ptonsparky]

They are new enough to give you codes as to why they tripped. What is it?

 

[ddbear]

AFCI breakers are notorious for false tripping. I believe this type of breaker is a marketing scam put forward by manufacturers of the devices and the NEC was fooled. I read plenty of stories indicating the that the first thing most (knowledgeable) people do is to replace them with regular breakers or with GFIs (which are actually reliable) when the inspector leaves.

 

[ammklq143]

One thing to keep in mind is that arc fault breakers operate like a ground fault breaker also, but not quite as sensitive, so if you have a ground wire that might have backed into a neutral screw when a receptacle is installed, it'll trip the breaker when there is a load on it. This might not be the problem, but it's something to keep in mind.

 

[hillbilly1]

AFCI breakers are notorious for false tripping. I believe this type of breaker is a marketing scam put forward by manufacturers of the devices and the NEC was fooled. I read plenty of stories indicating the that the first thing most (knowledgeable) people do is to replace them with regular breakers or with GFIs (which are actually reliable) when the inspector leaves.

The majority of the code is submitted by manufacturers, that’s how Arc Faults got started, if nobody is buying them, how do you sell them? You make them a legal requirement. Just like many other things you are required to buy or in the case of government, fund. The a good chunk of the rest the Union submits, but few get into the code

 

[Jpflex]

The majority of the code is submitted by manufacturers, that’s how Arc Faults got started, if nobody is buying them, how do you sell them? You make them a legal requirement. Just like many other things you are required to buy or in the case of government, fund. The a good chunk of the rest the Union submits, but few get into the code

Yea tell me about it. Sounds like car insurance where your forced to pay into it even though you never had a ticket or accident in your entire life, nor receive a true rendered “service” by the insurance company to justify taking your hard earned money (which they receive free and EASY).

You get no prorate or money back but with a perfect driving record you pay high rates BASED ON YOUR RESIDENCE ZIP CODE and how others in your area drive.

 

[letgomywago]

Yea tell me about it. Sounds like car insurance where your forced to pay into it even though you never had a ticket or accident in your entire life, nor receive a true rendered “service” by the insurance company to justify taking your hard earned money (which they receive free and EASY).

You get no prorate or money back but with a perfect driving record you pay high rates BASED ON YOUR RESIDENCE ZIP CODE and how others in your area drive.

The caps depend on your state some are more fair and others less fair. Same as any regulation.