AFCI protection verses GFCI protection

[rlcemente]

A friend of mine installed three lights and two ceiling fans on his outside patio and he installed a 20 amp AFCI breaker rather than a GFCI breaker.

Is this acceptable by NEC code? He lives in Las Vegas Nevada.

I asked an electrician friend and he said that he thought it was acceptable because of the newfound information concerning Arc Fault issues and how GFCI doesn't always address them.

I think I understand what he was saying and I certainly understand the dangers of Arc-Fault but it still doesn't seem right as we are not only looking to protect the electrical equipment, but we are intending on protecting people from electrical shock should a short occur; can anyone shed some light on this?

Thank You,

Roberto Clemente

 

[petersonra]

Re: AFCI protection verses GFCI protection

Are these required to be on a GFCI in the first place? I am not sure they are. George S. knows for sure.



In any event, an AFCI is not a substitute for a GFCI, as the leakage current it trips at is much higher.

If a GFCI is not required, there would be no prohibition that I can think of that would not allow this installation, but no real advantage to do it this way.