AFCI bedroom question

Status
Not open for further replies.
A

A.W. Davis

Member
Location
California
I am sure this subject has been hashed over before in the past. I did a search and didnt really get the answer I was looking for.

I know the smoke detectors are required to be AFCI'd and the bedroom outlets are as well

Heres my questions
1) does each bedroom have to have its own individual AFCI circuit for outlets and an individual AFCI circuit for lighting per room? I am 90% sure thats not the case but just want to double check, that would seem to consume lots of needed space in the subpanel.
 
AW Davis, that falls under the catagory of how many receptacles do you want to put on a circuit and what kind of loads will be on it.
Rick
 
A.W. Davis said:
Heres my questions
1) does each bedroom have to have its own individual AFCI circuit for outlets and an individual AFCI circuit for lighting per room?
Click to expand...

To put it another way:
Does each bedroom require it's own circuit and an individual lighting circuit?

...and yet the answer stays the same :
No.


:D
 
Some jurisdictions don't require the smokes to be AFCI, and some forbid it.
Calculate your circuits the same way you did before AFCI. The only thing in the NEC is 3 va/square ft
 
There are some jurisdictions that will go so far as to not only exclude the smokes from the AFCI requirement, but also require them to be on a lighting circuit that will be missed.

Nationally, the answer to the question is no.

Locally, this may be amended (in writing). However, requiring the lights and receptacles to be on seperate circuits for any dwelling unit room seems way over the line, IMO.
 
Excellent, thanks guys!

What about exterior outlets that are GFCI protected, are they required to be on a AFCI also? I am 99% sure you dont have to but just want to double check.
 
Look up the definition of outlet in the NEC and you will answer 1/2 of your own question. Outlets are not just recepticals.
 
A.W. read article 210.12 for the answers as to where AFCI's are required.

Roger
 
georgestolz said:
Locally, this may be amended (in writing). However, requiring the lights and receptacles to be on seperate circuits for any dwelling unit room seems way over the line, IMO.
Click to expand...
George, this was standard practice in days of yore. Keep this in the back of your mind. You may have to troubleshoot an older house & come across a lighting circuit totally separate from receptacle circuits. It wasn't amended, just the way it was.
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by A.W. Davis

Heres my questions
1) does each bedroom have to have its own individual AFCI circuit for outlets and an individual AFCI circuit for lighting per room?
Click to expand...
I hope this helps.

By Mike Holt for EC&M Magazine

Q1. Can a single AFCI protected circuit be used to supply receptacle and lighting outlets in more than one bedroom?

A. The NEC specifies that all 15 or 20A, 120V branch circuits that supply outlets in dwelling unit bedrooms must be protected by a listed AFCI device [210.12], but this rule does not require a separate circuit for each bedroom. Since the NEC doesn't limit the number of receptacle and lighting outlets on a general-purpose branch circuit in a dwelling unit, you are fine.

Although there's no limit on the number of lighting and/or receptacle outlets on dwelling general-purpose branch circuits, the NEC does require a minimum number of circuits to be installed for general-purpose receptacles and lighting outlets [210.11(A)]. In addition, the receptacle and lighting loads must be evenly distributed among the required circuits [210.11(B)].
 
Recently we have project in North Carolina and township required individual AFCI circuit for outlets and regular circuit for lighting per room. SD should be on seperate circuit too...
 
nehal101083 said:
Recently we have project in North Carolina and township required individual AFCI circuit for outlets and regular circuit for lighting per room. SD should be on seperate circuit too...
Click to expand...

IMO, smokes on a seperate circuit is a bad idea. If you lose power, you won't know until the low battery chirp starts, and 1/2 the people call the exterminater of get rid of those pesky crickets!
But of course, if it is required by AHJ......
 
A.W. Davis said:
What about exterior outlets that are GFCI protected, are they required to be on a AFCI also? I am 99% sure you dont have to but just want to double check.
Click to expand...

NOPE........:)

lol...I will let you know AFTER the 2008 NEC is completed as I may change my answer....:).....;)
 
I saw in Mike's video on NEC updates that in a certain area of Florida they make the SMOKES in the bedroom be on the Kitchen Lighting circuit and/or bathroom circuit.....but it's a local thing.
 
M. D. said:
I hope this helps.

By Mike Holt for EC&M Magazine

Q1. Can a single AFCI protected circuit be used to supply receptacle and lighting outlets in more than one bedroom?

A. The NEC specifies that all 15 or 20A, 120V branch circuits that supply outlets in dwelling unit bedrooms must be protected by a listed AFCI device [210.12], but this rule does not require a separate circuit for each bedroom. Since the NEC doesn't limit the number of receptacle and lighting outlets on a general-purpose branch circuit in a dwelling unit, you are fine.

Although there's no limit on the number of lighting and/or receptacle outlets on dwelling general-purpose branch circuits, the NEC does require a minimum number of circuits to be installed for general-purpose receptacles and lighting outlets [210.11(A)]. In addition, the receptacle and lighting loads must be evenly distributed among the required circuits [210.11(B)].
Click to expand...

Thanks for the referance MD
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top