AFCI 2014 NEC rules

[mlnk]

Is this correct? AFCI protection is required on every residential circuit except 240 volt circuits, exterior receptacles, bath rooms, laundry rooms, fau circuit, remotely monitered home protection systems (burglar alarm and usually fire alarm too), snow and ice heating equipment, and fire sprinkler system alarms.
And the AHJ may exempt other items or circuits.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

They are needed in the laundry room and kitchen as of 2014

210.12 Arc-Fault Circuit-Interrupter Protection. Arcfault
circuit-interrupter protection shall be provided as required
in 210.12(A) (B), and (C). The arc-fault circuit interrupter
shall be installed in a readily accessible location.
(A) Dwelling Units. All 120-volt, single-phase, 15- and
20-ampere branch circuits supplying outlets or devices installed
in dwelling unit kitchens, family rooms, dining
rooms, living rooms, parlors, libraries, dens, bedrooms,
sunrooms, recreation rooms, closets, hallways, laundry areas,
or similar rooms or areas shall be protected by any of
the means described in 210.12(A)(1) through (6):

 

[kwired]

And note that is says "supplying outlets or devices". This means that even though an exterior light doesn't require AFCI, if the switch for it is in an area that otherwise requires AFCI, then that light will be included as well.

 

[jumper]

fau circuit???

Fan Air Unit?

 

[al hildenbrand]

fau circuit???

Fan Air Unit?

Forced Air Unit?

 

[cowboyjwc]

I kept telling you to just learn to accept it. I'm guessing that there are changes in the 2017 also, but we will just be adopting the 2014 in January so I don't know.

 

[mlnk]

Forced Air Unit?

fau means forced air unit and applies to central heating and air conditioning systems.

 

[jumper]

I kept telling you to just learn to accept it. I'm guessing that there are changes in the 2017 also, but we will just be adopting the 2014 in January so I don't know.

No changes for dwelling unit areas in 210.12, 2017 NEC.

Dorms, guest rooms and guest suites are a different matter.

 

[mlnk]

So my corrected statement is: AFCI protection is required on every residential circuit except garages, 240 volt circuits, exterior receptacles, bath rooms, fau circuit, remotely monitered home protection systems (burglar alarm and usually fire alarm too), snow and ice heating equipment, and fire sprinkler system alarms. If exterior light is switched from the interior, it must be GFCI protected.
And the AHJ may exempt other items or circuits.

 

[jumper]

So my corrected statement is: AFCI protection is required on every residential circuit except garages, 240 volt circuits, exterior receptacles, bath rooms, fau circuit, remotely monitered home protection systems (burglar alarm and usually fire alarm too), snow and ice heating equipment, and fire sprinkler system alarms. If exterior light is switched from the interior, it must be GFCI protected.
And the AHJ may exempt other items or circuits.

I do not see burglar alarms exempted. Just GFCI if in a required area.

I do not see your FAU exempted. It would depend on voltage and area installed I believe.

I do not see attics or unfinished basements as requiring AFCI.

If exterior light is switched from the interior, it must be GFCI protected.

I assume typo and you mean AFCI.

 

[peter d]

If the "FAU" is in the attic and does not have a remote disconnect in a living space requiring AFCI, then AFCI is not required.

"FAU" is California lingo for furnace or air handler, and that being the case, they cord and plug connect furnaces and do not use remote disconnects as we do here in New England. I don't see AFCI being required if I'm surmising correctly.

 

[GerryB]

Continuing with the arc fault am I reading 210.12(A)3b correct that a 15amp circuit can run 50' from the panel and a 20amp circuit 75' before being AFCI protected? If so what difference does the wire size make?

 

[kwired]

Continuing with the arc fault am I reading 210.12(A)3b correct that a 15amp circuit can run 50' from the panel and a 20amp circuit 75' before being AFCI protected? If so what difference does the wire size make?

Yes but read the first part of 210.12(A):

A listed supplemental arc protection circuit breaker 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 where all of the following conditions are met:

I don't really know what that supplemental arc protection circuit breaker is, but sounds like it is going to be just as simple or even less costly to just use a AFCI circuit breaker at the source of the circuit.

 

[kwired]

So my corrected statement is: AFCI protection is required on every residential circuit except garages, 240 volt circuits, exterior receptacles, bath rooms, fau circuit, remotely monitered home protection systems (burglar alarm and usually fire alarm too), snow and ice heating equipment, and fire sprinkler system alarms. If exterior light is switched from the interior, it must be GFCI protected.
And the AHJ may exempt other items or circuits.

If it is not 15 or 20 amp @ 120 volts you can disregard AFCI.

In general the entire circuit needs protected - this is why if you have a outside light on with an inside circuit you very well end up with protection on it, plus if there is a switch or other device in one of the areas covered. Same goes for other circuits that end up in both areas that do and do not require protection.

FAU - depends on the location as well as location of other devices that may be on the same circuit (emergency shut off is the most likely item that may get you)

Smoke alarms are not fire alarms, only a true fire alarm system is exempt from AFCI protection.

Snow and ice heating equipment - if you would happen to have a switch or other control device in a room that required AFCI then you have to protect that circuit.

240 volt baseboard or fan forced wall heater - no protection required, same unit but 120 volts and 15 or 20 amp circuit - AFCI applies if in one of the rooms mentioned.

I did mis type GFCI instead of AFCI earlier when talking about the outside light with a switch inside a space requiring AFCI protection.

 

[mlnk]

So my re-corrected statement is: AFCI protection is required on every residential circuit except:
garages
240 volt circuits
exterior receptacles
bath rooms
FAU - which is 120 volt, because it is in a utility room or utility closet.
remotely monitered home protection systems, fire alarm and usually burglar alarm too. GFCI exempt too. (see this topic in forum)
fire sprinkler system alarms
snow and ice heating equipment
attic
unfinished basement
If exterior light is switched from the interior, it must be AFCI protected.
And the AHJ may exempt other items or circuits.

 

[romex jockey]

Yes but read the first part of 210.12(A):



I don't really know what that supplemental arc protection circuit breaker is, but sounds like it is going to be just as simple or even less costly to just use a AFCI circuit breaker at the source of the circuit.

210.12 A 3&4 both mention what, to my understanding, is a combination listing requirement

According to our nema rep, this 'listing' ( UL1699?) addresses the older non-combination afci's that became combination afci's in '08.

Ergo, unless one stocks older pre-08 afci's , the code is impossible to be compliant to

~RJ~

 

[kwired]

210.12 A 3&4 both mention what, to my understanding, is a combination listing requirement

According to our nema rep, this 'listing' ( UL1699?) addresses the older non-combination afci's that became combination afci's in '08.

Ergo, unless one stocks older pre-08 afci's , the code is impossible to be compliant to

~RJ~

Or maybe you are adding an extension to a circuit protected by one of the earlier AFCI's?

 

[jumper]

FAU - which is 120 volt, because it is in a utility room or utility closet.

While neither of those two areas are listed as requiring AFCI, it is rare to find such in resi are that are not used for other purposes.

Closets are on the list and utility rooms are often laundry areas also. Gotta ask AHJ how he/she sees it.

remotely monitered home protection systems, fire alarm and usually burglar alarm too.
fire sprinkler system alarms

Fire alarm systems are the only one listed in the exception, not burglar alarms, you are gonna trip yourself up putting AFCI and GFCI together IMO.

Standard 120V smoke detectors are not exempt.

Exception: Where an individual branch circuit to a fire
alarm system installed in accordance with 760.41(B) or
760.121(B) is installed in RMC, IMC, EMT, or steel-
sheathed cable, Type AC or Type MC, meeting the require-
ments of 250.118, with metal outlet and junction boxes,
AFCI protection shall be permitted to be omitted

 

[mlnk]

Are we there yet?

Are we there yet?

So my re-re-corrected statement is: AFCI protection is required on every residential circuit except:
garages
240 volt circuits
exterior receptacles
bath rooms, full or half baths.
FAU - which is 120 volt, because it is in the garage, a utility room, or utility closet. Per AHJ decision.
fire alarm systems systems or fire sprinkler system alarms which are fed from the service panel with metal conduit to a metal box.
snow and ice heating equipment which has other protection rules.
attic
unfinished basement
If exterior light is controlled from the interior protected room, it must be AFCI protected.
Of course, the AHJ may exempt other items or circuits.