AFCI: Design Alternative?

[renosteinke]

As I plan the wiring of a new house, I can see that it makes sense for me to have a number of sub-panels, rather than a single, common panel for the entire house.

This brings up an possible variation in the use of AFCI protection: rather than use a multitude of individual AFCI breakers, perhaps provide the AFCI protection at the feeder of each panel.

Has anyone actually tried this? Does it work- or is it an even worse troubleshooting nightmare? Are larger AFCI breakers (60, 70-amp) even available?

Your thoughts are most welcome.

 

[growler]

As I plan the wiring of a new house, I can see that it makes sense for me to have a number of sub-panels, rather than a single, common panel for the entire house.

This brings up an possible variation in the use of AFCI protection: rather than use a multitude of individual AFCI breakers, perhaps provide the AFCI protection at the feeder of each panel.

Has anyone actually tried this? Does it work- or is it an even worse troubleshooting nightmare? Are larger AFCI breakers (60, 70-amp) even available?

Your thoughts are most welcome.

I have not tried this and wouldn't want to even if the materials are available.

I wouldn't want the whole panel either GFCI or Arc Fault protected. If there is a fault then the customer would lose power from the whole sub- panel and that wouldn't go over so well.

If the customer only loses one circuit it's not such a big emergency as the rest of the circuits are still functioning. I don't like the idea of people being forced to run around in the dark unless they have to. Could cause an accident.