AFCI circuit breaker or AFCI light switch

[hhsting]

I have residential turn to assisted living has 10 bedrooms, kitchen, living room, dinning room, basement, storage rooms, 3 bathrooms, sprinkler room, attic


One of the light circuit breaker #1 feeds bedrooms, living room, storages, attic light, bathroom and sprinkler room. The light switches one in each room above.

Should breaker #1 have AFCI but it feeds areas that are not mentioned in NEC 2014 section 210.12(A) or should individual light switch have AFCI areas mentioned in 210.12(A) NEC 2014 or either one is allowed? What does NEC 2014 say I looked but am confused NEC 2014 section 210.12(A)

 

[James L]

You're required to provide afci protection for any circuit (the whole circuit) providing power to devices in those areas. If those circuits power other areas, so be it. Those other areas will also be afci protected

 

[augie47]

"confused" is your middle name 210.12 states the branch circuit shall be protected so unless you meet some of the alternate protection means which is doubtful, an AFCI breaker is likely the best solution.

 

[hhsting]

"confused" is your middle name 210.12 states the branch circuit shall be protected so unless you meet some of the alternate protection means which is doubtful, an AFCI breaker is likely the best solution.

Ok even though the circuit breaker would serve areas not mentioned in NEC 2014 section 210.12? So it would serve bedroom which is mentioned in 210.12 but it would also serve sprinkler room, attic, storages which are Not mention in 210.12.

 

[augie47]

As a general rule, If there is only one device on the entire circuit requiring AFCI protection, the branch circuit, which starts at the breaker, needs to be protected (other than noted in 210.12(B), not applicable here)

 

[James L]

Ok even though the circuit breaker would serve areas not mentioned in NEC 2014 section 210.12? So it would serve bedroom which is mentioned in 210.12 but it would also serve sprinkler room, attic, storages which are Not mention in 210.12.

It doesn't say it CAN'T serve other areas, just specifies certain areas that must be protected

 

[hhsting]

As a general rule, If there is only one device on the entire circuit requiring AFCI protection, the branch circuit, which starts at the breaker, needs to be protected (other than noted in 210.12(B), not applicable here)

Ok but I Have light switches multiple. NEC 2014 section 100 disconnecting means say its device so light switch is a device.

Whats to stop one from using one of these in link below AFCI switch code does not allow it each light switch in areas 210.12(A) or one has to provide AFCI breaker?

Leviton SmartlockPro 15 Amp 125-Volt Outlet Branch Circuit Combination AFCI/Switch, White R12-AFSW1-0KW

As a market leader in electrical wiring devices, Leviton's new line of OBC AFCI Devices address the dangers associated with both types of potentially hazardous arcing parallel and series arcing Similar

www.homedepot.com

 

[augie47]

If I'm reading correctly, that device would meet the requirement iF it was installed at the 1st device after a feeder type
AFCI but the wording of the alternate methods is somewhat dependent on what the manufactures put on the market.
I may be mistaken but I don't see that being complaint unless it was the 1st device.

 

[hhsting]

If I'm reading correctly, that device would meet the requirement iF it was installed at the 1st device after a feeder type
AFCI but the wording of the alternate methods is somewhat dependent on what the manufactures put on the market.
I may be mistaken but I don't see that being complaint unless it was the 1st device.

I have light switches in each room. Each room light switch is in parallel to one circuit served from panelboard. So each switch would get AFCI switch. Can get complicated for three way or two way switches where to put such AFCI switch

Would using branch circuit breaker AFCI even though breaker serves combination of areas mentioned and areas Not mentioned in NEC 2024 section 210.12(A) be code compliant or Not be code compliant?

 

[Fred B]

I have light switches in each room. Each room light switch is in parallel to one circuit served from panelboard. So each switch would get AFCI switch. Can get complicated for three way or two way switches where to put such AFCI switch

Would using branch circuit breaker AFCI even though breaker serves combination of areas mentioned and areas Not mentioned in NEC 2024 section 210.12(A) be code compliant or Not be code compliant?

I believe that it has been stated before in these forums that the NEC is a permissive code, anotherwords if it's not prohibited, it's permitted.

 

[augie47]

That question has been answered by Post 2, 5 & 6