Panel change

[865resi]

Am I required to use arc fault breakers? 35 year old house, panel change only. Nothing extra, panel change only. 2017 code.
Thanks

 

[LarryFine]

Negative.
Welcome.

 

[hillbilly1]

Unless your locality requires it.

 

[infinity]

Not required by the NEC even under the 2020 cycle.

 

[texie]

While I agree with the others that say it is not required, there is one caveat. If the panel change requires extending branch circuits more than 6 feet then the AFCIs would be required.

 

[acin]

While I agree with the others that say it is not required, there is one caveat. If the panel change requires extending branch circuits more than 6 feet then the AFCIs would be required.

is that 6 ft rule in the NEC ?

 

[marmathsen]

While I agree with the others that say it is not required, there is one caveat. If the panel change requires extending branch circuits more than 6 feet then the AFCIs would be required.

True but even then can be justifiably waived by an inspector. We relocated a panel from a stair with about 12 feet of wire length. I discussed with the inspector that since we added the wire on the supply side of the circuits and we couldn't guarantee what was downstream, that it made sense not to add AFCI breakers and she agreed.

Rob G - Seattle

 

[Fred B]

is that 6 ft rule in the NEC ?

2017 NEC - 210.12(D) Exception is where it allows if the conductor is NOT extended more than 6 ft., no AFCI is required.

Later editions makes it clear that the 6ft does not include the portion of conductor within the enclosure, cabinet or J boxes.

 

[Greentagger]

Extension of the circuit more than 6’ AND the addition of an outlet or device.

 

[infinity]

Extension of the circuit more than 6’ AND the addition of an outlet or device.

It says that if you include any additional outlets or devices than the exception does not apply even if the extension is 6' or less.

2017 NEC:
Exception: AFCI protection shall not be required where the extension of the existing conductors is not more than 1.8 m (6 ft) and does not
include any additional outlets or devices.

 

[Greentagger]

It says that if you include any additional outlets or devices than the exception does not apply even if the extension is 6' or less.

Yes sir you are correct. I wonder if in the meaning of extending circuits, is it on either side of the circuit?

 

[infinity]

Yes sir you are correct. I wonder if in the meaning of extending circuits, is it on either side of the circuit?

It doesn't say where the extension is taking place it just limits the length to 6' before the AFCI rule kicks in. This is common on service upgrades where the existing conductors are too short and need a small extension but it could also apply if you were moving a receptacle. Dennis wrote the original code change but I beleive his substantiation was related to panel relocations/upgrades.

 

[letgomywago]

True but even then can be justifiably waived by an inspector. We relocated a panel from a stair with about 12 feet of wire length. I discussed with the inspector that since we added the wire on the supply side of the circuits and we couldn't guarantee what was downstream, that it made sense not to add AFCI breakers and she agreed.

Rob G - Seattle

Never heard of that flying in WA good for you.