2014 & AFCIs

[Ponchik]

I am trying wrap my head round the AFCI requirements for the 2014 edition. I understand that almost all of the dwelling has to be protected by an AFCI circuit breaker.

Now, my ability or lack of understanding the other options are as follows:

I can install a regular circuit breaker and install a AFCI receptacle device, as long as the I do not exceed 50' for 14AWG and 70' for 12AWG conductors and I mark the first outlet to be AFCI.

Am I correct in understanding this?

 

[raider1]

I am trying wrap my head round the AFCI requirements for the 2014 edition. I understand that almost all of the dwelling has to be protected by an AFCI circuit breaker.

Now, my ability or lack of understanding the other options are as follows:

I can install a regular circuit breaker and install a AFCI receptacle device, as long as the I do not exceed 50' for 14AWG and 70' for 12AWG conductors and I mark the first outlet to be AFCI.

Am I correct in understanding this?

Not exactly, 210.12(A)(4) requires the combination of the branch circuit overcurrent device and the outlet branch circuit AFCI to be identified as meeting the requirements for a system combination type AFCI and be LISTED as such.

UL Lists system combination type AFCI systems to Product Category AWDT. You can find this on UL Product Spec HERE

One of the key items that you will find in the Guide Information for these products is that the certified outlet branch-circuit AFCI with its specified certified molded-case circuit breaker is packaged together as a certified system-combination arc-fault circuit protection system.

Chris

 

[Ponchik]

Not exactly, 210.12(A)(4) requires the combination of the branch circuit overcurrent device and the outlet branch circuit AFCI to be identified as meeting the requirements for a system combination type AFCI and be LISTED as such.

UL Lists system combination type AFCI systems to Product Category AWDT. You can find this on UL Product Spec HERE

One of the key items that you will find in the Guide Information for these products is that the certified outlet branch-circuit AFCI with its specified certified molded-case circuit breaker is packaged together as a certified system-combination arc-fault circuit protection system.

Chris

So if the circuit breaker and the AFCI receptacle are not a listed combination then it will not satisfy the code.

 

[raider1]

So if the circuit breaker and the AFCI receptacle are not a listed combination then it will not satisfy the code.

That is correct.

Chris

 

[Ponchik]

:thumbsup::thumbsup:

Got it. Thanks for the links as well

 

[al hildenbrand]

I am trying wrap my head round the AFCI requirements for the 2014 edition. I understand that almost all of the dwelling has to be protected by an AFCI circuit breaker.

In my opinion, the 2014 NEC introduced the most onerous AFCI requirements in changes in 406.4(D) Replacements. Specifically, 406.4(D)(4) as written in the 2011 NEC, with a deferred start date of Jan. 1, 2014, went into effect. As a result of 2014 NEC 406.4(D) the simple maintenance act of replacing a worn out two-prong nongrounding type 15 Amp 120 Volt receptacle becomes a maze of "if - then" decisions. Fortunately, today, a receptacle device that has GFCI, AFCI and tamper-resistance built in is readily available at the parts supplier. Several manufacturers make products like this Dual Function AFCI/GFCI Receptacle. Note that they do not require an EGC connection to work, and, therefore, may be used on old non-grounding wiring methods like Knob & Tube or two-wire NM branch circuits.

 

[romex jockey]

One of the key items that you will find in the Guide Information for these products is that the certified outlet branch-circuit AFCI with its specified certified molded-case circuit breaker is packaged together as a certified system-combination arc-fault circuit protection system.

Chris

And where can one purchase these Chris?

~RJ~

 

[romex jockey]

In my opinion, the 2014 NEC introduced the most onerous AFCI requirements in changes in 406.4(D) Replacements. Specifically, 406.4(D)(4) as written in the 2011 NEC, with a deferred start date of Jan. 1, 2014, went into effect. As a result of 2014 NEC 406.4(D) the simple maintenance act of replacing a worn out two-prong nongrounding type 15 Amp 120 Volt receptacle becomes a maze of "if - then" decisions. Fortunately, today, a receptacle device that has GFCI, AFCI and tamper-resistance built in is readily available at the parts supplier. Several manufacturers make products like this Dual Function AFCI/GFCI Receptacle. Note that they do not require an EGC connection to work, and, therefore, may be used on old non-grounding wiring methods like Knob & Tube or two-wire NM branch circuits.

Methinks you may find accessibility issues ,depending on were one installs a DF receptacle , least of all the older pre-volume boxes Al

That said, one can mount them right next to the panel (if not a DF OCPD in it) , and the whole circuit complies

~RJ~

 

[al hildenbrand]

Methinks you may find accessibility issues ,depending on were one installs a DF receptacle , least of all the older pre-volume boxes Al

That's OLD CODE. The recalculation of box volume upon device replacement is MANY Code cycles old, and something everyone should already have well in hand. The very act of device replacement invokes the box volume recalc regardless of the type of device.

But think about that, a moment. A two wire receptacle on a K&T circuit will have two #14 conductors and no clamps. With the device allowance of two conductors, that totals to EIGHT cubic inches. It is a rare original K&T black-paint steel box that is smaller than eight cubic inches.

 

[electrofelon]

Here is a link to a good summary and clarification of the afci requirements.

http://www.lni.wa.gov/TradesLicensing/Electrical/files/currents/Elc1712.pdf

 

[electrofelon]

And where can one purchase these Chris?

~RJ~

As mention in the newsletter I posted, some of these products do not exist

 

[raider1]

And where can one purchase these Chris?

~RJ~

Eaton has a system combination Listed with UL. I am not sure when they will be available for purchase in the supply houses.

I would check with your local Eaton representative.

Chris

 

[romex jockey]

That's OLD CODE. The recalculation of box volume upon device replacement is MANY Code cycles old, and something everyone should already have well in hand. The very act of device replacement invokes the box volume recalc regardless of the type of device.

But think about that, a moment. A two wire receptacle on a K&T circuit will have two #14 conductors and no clamps. With the device allowance of two conductors, that totals to EIGHT cubic inches. It is a rare original K&T black-paint steel box that is smaller than eight cubic inches.

'Old work' is always 10lbs of potatoes in a 5lb sack Al

My point is, cost efficacy dictates DF breakers

The last multifamily we 'updates' was all in DF, OCPD's were inside each unit for accessibility

~RJ~

 

[romex jockey]

Eaton has a system combination Listed with UL. I am not sure when they will be available for purchase in the supply houses.

I would check with your local Eaton representative.

Chris

From electrofelon's info>

A listed branch/feeder type AFCI is the old style of AFCI circuit breaker commonly used before the “combination-type” circuit breakers were required in the 2005 NEC. It is not likely these branch/feeder type circuit breakers are available unless a contractor has some old ones in their stock, so this option is probably not available.

210.12 uses 'supplemental'

They are no longer manufactured Chris

So why is there a code for something a decade off the market?

Because the folks you work for had to cover their tracks

thx for playin'

~RJ~

 

[al hildenbrand]

'Old work' is always 10lbs of potatoes in a 5lb sack Al

My point is, cost efficacy dictates DF breakers

The last multifamily we 'updates' was all in DF, OCPD's were inside each unit for accessibility

~RJ~

That may have been your experience with that multifamily, HOWEVER, you aren't listening to me.

Simply maintaining an existing single family dwelling that was built before the 1950s, a dwelling that still has fuses as branch circuit overcurrent protective devices, became much more onerous when the 2011 NEC 406.4(D)(4) went into effect Jan 1, 2014.

In my experience, a DF circuit breaker has a huge economic penalty included for the owner of such a dwelling, when one replaces a worn out nongrounding type duplex 120 V 15 A receptacle.

Even if one has to change out the device box in order to get the new-calculation required cubic inches, that is way less of an economic hit to the Owner than restructuring the fuse center, especially if there are multiwire branch circuits involved.

You see, the DF breaker doesn't make the worn out old receptacle safe. . . it still has to be replaced, AND, that box volume recalculation has to happen inspite of the installation of a DF breaker. So, forget the fuse center rebuilding, and install a Dual Function AFCI / GFCI receptacle and let Grandma use the saved money for her groceries.

 

[Ponchik]

Sounds like the best solution is to install the AFCI breaker at the panel and call it good.

Besides the AFCI receptacle, the other items/methods mentioned in the code are manufacture specific or are not readily available and/or have been discontinued from being made.

 

[raider1]

210.12 uses 'supplemental'

They are no longer manufactured Chris

So why is there a code for something a decade off the market?

Because the folks you work for had to cover their tracks

thx for playin'

~RJ~

Please re-read the OPers question and my response.

I can install a regular circuit breaker and install a AFCI receptacle device, as long as the I do not exceed 50' for 14AWG and 70' for 12AWG conductors and I mark the first outlet to be AFCI.

That was the original question.

My response was that 210.12(A)(4) requires that the regular circuit breaker and the outlet branch circuit AFCI device need to be listed as a system combination type AFCI.
Here is what 210.12(A)(4)(d) says

d. The combination of the branch-circuit overcurrent
device and outlet branch-circuit AFCI shall be identified
as meeting the requirements for a system combination–
type AFCI and shall be listed as such.

Eaton has a system combination type AFCI product that UL has Listed. I am not sure when it will be available on the market.

The Supplemental Arc Protection circuit breakers in conjunction with listed outlet branch circuit AFCI devices are found as a method in 210.12(A)(3). UL 1699(C) has been withdrawn and there are no listed Supplemental Arc Protection Circuit breakers.

Here is what 210.12(A)(2) permits:

A listed branch/feeder-type AFCI installed at the origin
of the branch-circuit in combination with a listed outlet
branch-circuit type arc-fault circuit interrupter installed at
the first outlet box on the branch circuit. The first outlet
box in the branch circuit shall be marked to indicate that
it is the first outlet of the circuit.

There is nothing that prevents a manufacture from manufacturing a listed branch/feeder-type AFCI breaker.

You may want to read the ROP's regarding who submitted the proposals for adding these other type AFCI's

Chris

 

[romex jockey]

That may have been your experience with that multifamily, HOWEVER, you aren't listening to me.

Simply maintaining an existing single family dwelling that was built before the 1950s, a dwelling that still has fuses as branch circuit overcurrent protective devices, became much more onerous when the 2011 NEC 406.4(D)(4) went into effect Jan 1, 2014.

In my experience, a DF circuit breaker has a huge economic penalty included for the owner of such a dwelling, when one replaces a worn out nongrounding type duplex 120 V 15 A receptacle.

Even if one has to change out the device box in order to get the new-calculation required cubic inches, that is way less of an economic hit to the Owner than restructuring the fuse center, especially if there are multiwire branch circuits involved.

You see, the DF breaker doesn't make the worn out old receptacle safe. . . it still has to be replaced, AND, that box volume recalculation has to happen inspite of the installation of a DF breaker. So, forget the fuse center rebuilding, and install a Dual Function AFCI / GFCI receptacle and let Grandma use the saved money for her groceries.

I've had my share of diggin old metal boxes w/ BX, or brittle K&T out of farmhouse baseboards Al

no thanks....

if i do indeed need to address box fill, it'll be with a wiremould extension box.

Then we have to address accessibility , if we're going to debate gfci's under the sink ,then a DF recept behind the couch is a no no

We can nipple off a wadsworth main range &4 to a DF receptacle OR 2 circuit can quicker ,making the whole circuit DF

in/out/compliant , sorry to be terse about it.

~RJ~

 

[romex jockey]

Please re-read the OPers question and my response.



That was the original question.

My response was that 210.12(A)(4) requires that the regular circuit breaker and the outlet branch circuit AFCI device need to be listed as a system combination type AFCI.
Here is what 210.12(A)(4)(d) says

Eaton has a system combination type AFCI product that UL has Listed. I am not sure when it will be available on the market.

The Supplemental Arc Protection circuit breakers in conjunction with listed outlet branch circuit AFCI devices are found as a method in 210.12(A)(3). UL 1699(C) has been withdrawn and there are no listed Supplemental Arc Protection Circuit breakers.

Here is what 210.12(A)(2) permits:


There is nothing that prevents a manufacture from manufacturing a listed branch/feeder-type AFCI breaker.

You may want to read the ROP's regarding who submitted the proposals for adding these other type AFCI's

Chris

What your on about is a decade of pre-combo AFCI's Chris

We were under the impression they mitigated both parallel and series events

Up until the whole NEMA afci task force split up, and the UL simulator.

When they marketed the combo, they didn't want a recall to occur for all those 'pre combo' afci's out there.

So they made up neat little inclusions in 210.12 , like anyone's actually going to go back to those jobs that already passed

Made those EC's like me look mighty foolish stumpin' for them too.

And yeah i've read how CMP2 systematically round filed any well written 210.12 rop , from some of this trades icons, with no more than a few sentences of irrationality , like they didn't even read them.

And a 'feeder afci'? don't make me laugh, why would a billion $$$ industry slice their own throat?

What you need to know is, there are people watching, reading, on both sides of the pond. Folks a lot smarter than this boy, they only lack the resources to 'pull the lions tail' , but sooner or later will gain the journalistic ear to do it for them

~RJ~

 

[peter d]

That may have been your experience with that multifamily, HOWEVER, you aren't listening to me.

Simply maintaining an existing single family dwelling that was built before the 1950s, a dwelling that still has fuses as branch circuit overcurrent protective devices, became much more onerous when the 2011 NEC 406.4(D)(4) went into effect Jan 1, 2014.

Not for me. :happyno: