AFCi for circuit existing circuit extension.

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b16bri

Member
Location
CT
Hey guys, so I have a family member who has a room above their garage, that currently is unfinished ( no sheet rock no insulation). They want to finish it and hang sheet rock, but before they do, they would like to add a few outlets. There currently are no outlets or switches in the room they just have an existing feed in a fan box on the ceiling. I know once you extend an existing non AFCi circuit you have to bring the new extended circuit up to AFCI standards.

I was planning on running new 14/2 from the existing fan box to my first new outlet which will be an AFCI receptacle and then loading out to the other outlets. All of the new devices and new wire would be AFCI protected except the existing feed and the small section of new romex to the first receptacle. Would this be code compliant?
 
I personally like to keep outlets and lighting separate circuits, but I don't see any issues with what you are doing.
 
b16bri said:
I know once you extend an existing non AFCi circuit you have to bring the new extended circuit up to AFCI standards
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So your question is does only the new portion of the circuit required AFCI protection or must you provide AFCI protection for the entire circuit.
 
Yes, I’m not overly familiar with arc fault as I have only worked in commercial settings. I believe the code allows you to just protect the new wiring and new devices, which I would be doing except the small portion from the existing fan box to the first new device.
 
Correct. The very first opening in the new room would be your AFCI, then branch off from there. Remember there are line and load on the back
 
b16bri said:
I believe the code allows you to just protect the new wiring and new devices, which I would be doing except the small portion from the existing fan box to the first new device.
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You would need to provide either an AFCI breaker or an AFCI receptacle device at the first receptacle in the existing circuit (if applicable).

210.12(D) Branch Circuit Extensions or Modifications — Dwelling Units, Dormitory Units, and Guest Rooms and Guest Suites.
Where branch circuit wiring for any of the areas specified in 210.12(A), (B), or (C) is modified, replaced, or extended, the branch circuit shall be protected by one of the following:
(1) By any of the means described in 210.12(A)(1) through (a)(6)
(2) A listed outlet branch-circuit-type AFCI located at the first receptacle outlet of the existing branch circuit
Exception: AFCI protection shall not be required where the extension of the existing branch circuit conductors is not more than 1.8 m (6 ft) and does not include any additional outlets or devices, other than splicing devices. This measurement shall not include the conductors inside an enclosure, cabinet, or junction box.
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infinity said:
You would need to provide either an AFCI breaker or an AFCI receptacle device at the first receptacle in the existing circuit (if applicable).
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Right, so that was the part of the code I was referring to, but considering there are no existing receptacles in the existing circuit just a feed in the ceiling I planed on starting the AFCI protection at my first new receptacle.

Also as I haven’t had much experience with AFCI are they still as bad with nuisance trips are they were when they first came out ?
 
b16bri said:
planed on starting the AFCI protection at my first new receptacle.
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That is a code violation, as infinity showed you in post #6.
b16bri said:
are they still as bad with nuisance trips
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AFCI and GFCI both nuisance trip on different code & listing violations, typically installed by untrained persons.

Try it on existing wiring first.

If xFCI breaker wont fit fusebox, hang a test outlet from an old breaker.
 
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