2014 NEC Article 210.12 (b) (2) Question.

[Knuckle Dragger]

Hi All,
I'm sure there is a thread on this same subject so please excuse me for beating a dead horse with this question.
In regards to the latest code update.article 210.12 (b) (2) Is it requiring that if I replace a duplex receptacle in a residence that I must upgrade the entire branch circuit on way or another unless I keep conductors under 6 feet?
I have had a quite a few interpretations on this subject by AHJ.
Thank you!

 

[don_resqcapt19]

That section only applies to changes in the branch circuit wiring. It does not apply to replacement receptacles, but 406.4(D)(4) does apply to replacement receptacles.

 

[Knuckle Dragger]

That section only applies to changes in the branch circuit wiring. It does not apply to replacement receptacles, but 406.4(D)(4) does apply to replacement receptacles.

In 406.4(D)(4) the three example AFCI devices that they are referencing all include full circuit protection?

 

[Dennis Alwon]

You can use a afci receptacle and be done

 

[al hildenbrand]

In 406.4(D)(4) the three example AFCI devices that they are referencing all include full circuit protection?

Only 406.4(D)(4)(3), which allows the use of an AFCI circuit breaker, results in the full protection of the branch circuit.

406.4(D)(4)(1) and 406.4(D)(4)(2) allow the use of the Outlet Branch Circuit AFCI. The Outlet Branch Circuit (OBC) AFCI is a yoke mounted device containing AFCI circuitry that commonly is manufactured with receptacle(s) in the face of the device, but, also is available in a dead front, and as a switch.

***AND*** Now, with in the last months, a yoke mounted receptacle device that is BOTH an OBC AFCI and a Class A GFCI is finally being sold in electrical supply locations. This one combination AFCI / GFCI duplex receptacle device is the missing link that allows us, as electricians directly serving a customer to go in and replace a single worn out receptacle with a new device, that is compliant with the 2014 NEC, at a relatively modest fee.

Knuckle Dragger, your opening question, as I understand it, is, "Does the replacement of a receptacle device require the entire branch circuit to be AFCI protected?"

Answer, "No." The replacement receptacle itself can be an OBC AFCI per 406.4(D)(4)(1).

If the replacement receptacle is in a location that also requires GFCI, then a combination GFCI / AFCI device can be used. This would be the case for, say a kitchen counter receptacle replacement, or for the replacement of an old worn out two-wire ungrounded type receptacle that is on a two-wire ungrounded branch circuit wiring method (like old Nonmetallic Cable without a ground.)

 

[Knuckle Dragger]

Only 406.4(D)(4)(3), which allows the use of an AFCI circuit breaker, results in the full protection of the branch circuit.

406.4(D)(4)(1) and 406.4(D)(4)(2) allow the use of the Outlet Branch Circuit AFCI. The Outlet Branch Circuit (OBC) AFCI is a yoke mounted device containing AFCI circuitry that commonly is manufactured with receptacle(s) in the face of the device, but, also is available in a dead front, and as a switch.

***AND*** Now, with in the last months, a yoke mounted receptacle device that is BOTH an OBC AFCI and a Class A GFCI is finally being sold in electrical supply locations. This one combination AFCI / GFCI duplex receptacle device is the missing link that allows us, as electricians directly serving a customer to go in and replace a single worn out receptacle with a new device, that is compliant with the 2014 NEC, at a relatively modest fee.

Knuckle Dragger, your opening question, as I understand it, is, "Does the replacement of a receptacle device require the entire branch circuit to be AFCI protected?"

Answer, "No." The replacement receptacle itself can be an OBC AFCI per 406.4(D)(4)(1).

If the replacement receptacle is in a location that also requires GFCI, then a combination GFCI / AFCI device can be used. This would be the case for, say a kitchen counter receptacle replacement, or for the replacement of an old worn out two-wire ungrounded type receptacle that is on a two-wire ungrounded branch circuit wiring method (like old Nonmetallic Cable without a ground.)

Is this a one per one ratio? or When replacing the standard duplex receptacle with an AFCI or combination AFCI/GFCI receptacle all the devices down current from them maybe protected off the load terminals only if all the requirements from 210.12 are met?
(example The first AFCI device is less than 50 feet from the first overcurrent device, the first outlet has to be labeled as the FIRST or the branch circuit conductors originating from the overcurrent device may be already in the listed/ approved conduits)

Please excuse my grammar and thank you all for your help!!

 

[al hildenbrand]

OK. I suspect you might be trying to overthink things while trying to boil this down to a simple rule. It isn't simple, in my opinion, unless you start with what you want to do, and then apply the appropriate rule to the task.

Your opening post asked only about replacing one receptacle device.

Is this a one per one ratio?

This, the "one per one ratio", is making use of the 406.4(D)(4)(1) rule.

or When replacing the standard duplex receptacle with an AFCI or combination AFCI/GFCI receptacle all the devices down current from them maybe protected off the load terminals only if all the requirements from 210.12 are met?

You seem to be mixing two rules together here. . . so, before taking off into 210.12, let's stay with the one "receptacle replacement rule" that really hasn't been explored yet, and that is 406.4(D)(4)(2).

My customer calls me to their house to replace the receptacles in the living room because they want a different color for the devices. I come to the living room and open up the receptacles and I find that one is the "feed" end and the other receptacles are "down current", but I don't bother to check further about where on the branch circuit these receptacles are. There may, or may not be more outlets upstream. . . I don't care, because the "replacement" rule doesn't restrict me like 210.12.

What I'm doing, is ONLY replacing the living room receptacles for this one customer of mine, and I have learned, by opening up the receptacles that I am to replace, that there is a feed end (from somewhere, I don't care) and the rest of the receptacles are downstream of this feed end. I can install an OBC AFCI receptacle (or a combination OBC AFCI / GFCI receptacle if the wiring method is ungrounded) and connect the FEED wires to the LINE terminals and the downstream wires to the LOAD terminals. That protects the remaining receptacles that my customer wants to change the color of and I can use regular grounding type receptacles for the remaining locations.

This is the application of 406.4(D)(4)(2). I am only replacing receptacles, not adding any new branch circuit wiring or new outlets.

In many ways, the electrical contractor thinking that leads to the best value for the customer, is like we do when adding GFCI protection to existing receptacles. If changing one device with the GFCI and protecting downstream works, then it costs less.

Now there may be more "down current" load than just the living room receptacles. . . It's good to know what that is, in case something there is going to be tripping the new protective receptacle device. If I don't like what ever this down current load is, I may recommend OBC AFCI devices for each receptacle I replace, and not protect the branch circuit wiring at all.

The only reason I look at 210.12 is for the list of areas / rooms that require AFCI if they have new OUTLETS installed (which means new branch circuit wiring). Remember, what I want to do is REPLACE receptacles ONLY.

Now, if I add new branch circuit wiring to add a new Outlet, then we're off to 210.12.

 

[Knuckle Dragger]

I apologize it took so long.
Thank you again for all your input!

 

[svemike]

replacement receptacle

replacement receptacle

I think you may care where the feeder 1st outlet is. What if it is behind a couch? An "obstacle". Not readily accessible, 210.12. Regarding new outlet extensions, maybe the 1st "outlet" on the circuit is the light switch(s). You could cut in a AFCI receptacle up the wall next to the switch, and that could solve the "obstacle" problem, or feed the extension. AFCI Breaker? There is no Zinsco AFCI, so now $2500 service change. See what the homeowner thinks of that, and a big bill just to replace an old receptacle that does not hold the plug end well. You can anticipate weak compliance, and a quick call to a handyman.

OK. I suspect you might be trying to overthink things while trying to boil this down to a simple rule. It isn't simple, in my opinion, unless you start with what you want to do, and then apply the appropriate rule to the task.

Your opening post asked only about replacing one receptacle device.


This, the "one per one ratio", is making use of the 406.4(D)(4)(1) rule.


You seem to be mixing two rules together here. . . so, before taking off into 210.12, let's stay with the one "receptacle replacement rule" that really hasn't been explored yet, and that is 406.4(D)(4)(2).

My customer calls me to their house to replace the receptacles in the living room because they want a different color for the devices. I come to the living room and open up the receptacles and I find that one is the "feed" end and the other receptacles are "down current", but I don't bother to check further about where on the branch circuit these receptacles are. There may, or may not be more outlets upstream. . . I don't care, because the "replacement" rule doesn't restrict me like 210.12.

What I'm doing, is ONLY replacing the living room receptacles for this one customer of mine, and I have learned, by opening up the receptacles that I am to replace, that there is a feed end (from somewhere, I don't care) and the rest of the receptacles are downstream of this feed end. I can install an OBC AFCI receptacle (or a combination OBC AFCI / GFCI receptacle if the wiring method is ungrounded) and connect the FEED wires to the LINE terminals and the downstream wires to the LOAD terminals. That protects the remaining receptacles that my customer wants to change the color of and I can use regular grounding type receptacles for the remaining locations.

This is the application of 406.4(D)(4)(2). I am only replacing receptacles, not adding any new branch circuit wiring or new outlets.

In many ways, the electrical contractor thinking that leads to the best value for the customer, is like we do when adding GFCI protection to existing receptacles. If changing one device with the GFCI and protecting downstream works, then it costs less.

Now there may be more "down current" load than just the living room receptacles. . . It's good to know what that is, in case something there is going to be tripping the new protective receptacle device. If I don't like what ever this down current load is, I may recommend OBC AFCI devices for each receptacle I replace, and not protect the branch circuit wiring at all.

The only reason I look at 210.12 is for the list of areas / rooms that require AFCI if they have new OUTLETS installed (which means new branch circuit wiring). Remember, what I want to do is REPLACE receptacles ONLY.

Now, if I add new branch circuit wiring to add a new Outlet, then we're off to 210.12.

 

[al hildenbrand]

What if it is behind a couch? An "obstacle". Not readily accessible, 210.12.

The inspectors I deal with don't look at the furniture in a residential dwelling room as fixed in place, like a refrigerator would be fixed in place by the arrangement of the cabinetry in a kitchen.