AFCI breakers in bathrooms

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racerdave3

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Western Massachusetts
I have a question regarding these new requirements for AFCI breakers. Are they required for receptacles in bathrooms (residential)? As I read the article, I don't think they are, but I want to make sure before moving forward. Of course they will be GFCI protected. Thanks.
 
Here's a graphic from Mike in EC&M:

711ecmCSfig8.jpg
 
racerdave3 said:
I have a question regarding these new requirements for AFCI breakers. Are they required for receptacles in bathrooms (residential)? As I read the article, I don't think they are, but I want to make sure before moving forward. Of course they will be GFCI protected. Thanks.
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Not only are they not required for the bathroom receptacles, they are not required for the lights either. Same for the kitchen.
 
Depending on your personal wiring style, you might end up AFCI-ing the bathroom lighting by proxy anyhow, whether you intended to or not. There is no prohibition against AFCI protecting areas where it is not otherwise required.
 
Dennis Alwon said:
Not only are they not required for the bathroom receptacles, they are not required for the lights either. Same for the kitchen.
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I don't have the 08 book yet, so I haven't read the article...but....

The picture posted by infinity says that all circuits supplying outlets in the following locations shall be AFCI protected.......

Does this mean that a lighting fixture is not a outlet?

I kinda hate to ask that question....but....it says what it says.:)

steve
 
hillbilly said:
Does this mean that a lighting fixture is not a outlet?
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A receptacle is not the only kind of 'outlet'. Any place electricity is used is an outlet. A lighting outlet, a lighted switch, etc.
 
hillbilly said:
I don't have the 08 book yet, so I haven't read the article...but....

The picture posted by infinity says that all circuits supplying outlets in the following locations shall be AFCI protected.......

Does this mean that a lighting fixture is not a outlet?

I kinda hate to ask that question....but....it says what it says.:)

steve
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But bathrooms are not listed in the '08, so both receps and lights are not included.
 
480sparky said:
But bathrooms are not listed in the '08, so both receps and lights are not included.
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Kitchen and bathrooms are not included in the reuirement for arc fault. It does not say only the recep. in bathrooms and kitchens are exempt. Basically 08 tells you the rooms that are required to have arc fault. Kitchens and bathrooms are not listed.
 
My bad...

In my haste:roll: , I read this to mean all of the lights in the whole house.


Dennis Alwon said:
Not only are they not required for the bathroom receptacles, they are not required for the lights either. Same for the kitchen.
Click to expand...

I'll have to pay better attention.

steve
 
hillbilly said:
My bad...

In my haste:roll: , I read this to mean all of the lights in the whole house.




I'll have to pay better attention.

steve
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Don't feel bad. I almost did the same thing.... I even started a reply.:cool:
 
hillbilly said:
In my haste:roll: , I read this to mean all of the lights in the whole house.
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Oh I'm sure that the salivating breaker industry Rep who wrote this code had every intent on doing so. But his tech guys pulled him back to mention that AFCI's still have compatability problems with a number of the types of loads you might find in a Kit. Bath or garage. Like the variable speed and cap start motors one might find in a hair dryer, range hood, garbage disposal, washer machine, reffer, Gar door opener, or many power tools.

For instance: SqD instructions on how to turn on your Vaccum Cleaner, because their product doesn't work right... (FYI some are being recall due to not operating as AFCI's anymore too)
 
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e57 said:
<snip>For instance: SqD instructions on how to turn on your Vaccum Cleaner, because their product doesn't work right... (FYI some are being recall due to not operating as AFCI's anymore too)
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From those instructions:




3. Plug the vacuum into a different outlet. This may require the addition of a properly sized (16 gauge or heavier) extension cord.
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Well, that's just a dandy stride forward in safety - use more extension cords. I wonder how long a cord it will take to reach every point in a large home from one of the few areas not required to be AFCI protected under the '08 code. I also wonder how long it will be before CH can provide a starting procedure for my miter saw, which cannot co-exist with their AFCI breaker.​
 
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