AFCI requirement and Subpanel in California

Status
Not open for further replies.
S

satox

Member
The main panel that I am working on runs the A/C, stove, outdoor lights, laundry and an old indoor glass fuse subpanel, this leaves me with 5 slots left. I was going to use those 5 slots to get rid of the glass fuse sub panel. Also, I am redistributing the loads on 15 and 20 amp breakers instead of the 30 Amp glass fuses. Basically I was going to use 8 circuits to replace the 4 in the old sub panel using a combination of 1 and 2 pole breakers. I quickly realized that I am going to have to use AFCI breakers.

My problem is I cant find a definitive answer on what rooms need to be protected... do only the bedrooms need AFCI or do bedrooms, hallways and living areas need the too? I have a call into the City about this but I'm really curious to find the answer.

If the answer is only the bedroom I can continue with my original design if the answer is "everything" else I will have to replace the sub panel instead of getting rid of it because I wont have enough slots.le

Are the "mini double AFCI breakers" available ? This would solve my problem too but I don't know if these are readily available.
 
Can't speak for California, but if you are in the 2008 NEC, I'm pretty sure you'll need to AFCI the hallways and living areas as well. I say I'm pretty sure because my 2008 NEC is still collecting dust waiting to be used in the Spring of
2011 here in Virginia!:mad: If someone came out with tandem AFCIs, I'm sure we would all be talking about it here! Some of the members are saying that the 2011 NEC is setting the table for AFCI receptacle technology, which is apparently just around the corner! What a blessing those will be! Me? I try not to read about the 2011 pending changes too much, since it might cause my little Virginia head :Dto explode!
 
Your answer is going to come from the AHJ. Inspectors in my area do not require the AFCI if you are only replacing the panel. It is if you add to or extend an existing circ. in a area that requires AFCI that you would be requried to AFCI.
INMHO when they do come out with the AFCI recp. they can keep them. 210.12 B excpt.1(2008) By the time you buy the recp., metal box and run AC or conduit to it the cost will be the same if not more than the breaker.
 
I agree with Curt. Anything that is in a bedroom need AFCI, Receptacles, lights, smokes.. Etc As far as everything else in the house, it does not need to be on an AFCI.

~Matt
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top