AFCI requirements in 2014 Code

[mlnk]

It is my understanding that AFCI is not required for security/fire detection systems with a control panel, connections to a fire alarm that are in conduit, and ice melting equipment.

What about:
medical life support equipment
240 volt appliances
fau dedicated receptacle
garbage disposal circuit
dishwasher circuit
hard wired appliances

 

[jumper]

It is my understanding that AFCI is not required for security/fire detection systems with a control panel, connections to a fire alarm that are in conduit, and ice melting equipment.

Security/burglary is exempt from GFCI, not AFCI. Fire alarm system has an exemption.

Exception: Where an individual branch circuit to a fire
alarm system installed in accordance with 760.41(B) or
760.121(B) is installed in RMC, IMC, EMT, or steel sheathed
cable, Type AC or Type MC, meeting the requirements
of 250.118, with metal outlet and junction boxes,
AFCI protection shall be permitted to be omitted

Ditto for Ice melting equipment, but ice melting stuff is not installed in an area requiring AFCI.

For the list below you can determine from the text:

210.12(A) Dwelling Units. All 120-volt, single-phase, 15- and
20-ampere branch circuits supplying outlets or devices installed
in dwelling unit kitchens, family rooms, dining
rooms, living rooms, parlors, libraries, dens, bedrooms,
sunrooms, recreation rooms, closets, hallways, laundry areas,
or similar rooms or areas shall be protected by any of
the means described in 210.12(A)(1) through (6):

What about:
medical life support equipment
240 volt appliances
fau dedicated receptacle
garbage disposal circuit
dishwasher circuit
hard wired appliances

Note the bold in the text. It is the branch circuit that requires AFCI, not the specific equipment.So each piece of your list is voltage, amperage, and location dependent. No piece is excluded in of itself in the code section. As a side note the only piece of equipment I know that requires AFCI or LCDI is room ACs.

 

[flatlander]

If you are worried about the FAU not working due to a tripped AFCI place the it in a room or area not required to be AFCI.

 

[mlnk]

If you are worried about the FAU not working due to a tripped AFCI place the it in a room or area not required to be AFCI.

So all the kitchen appliances would be on AFCI circuits.
And a security system would be on an AFCI circuit if installed in one of the requirerd rooms.

Now my AFCI NOT required list for 2014 NEC is:
garage circuits
utility room circuits
outdoor circuits
fau because they are installed in garage or an fau enclosure
Any medical equipment that has instructions saying no AFCI
Fire alarm circuit in metal conduit

 

[jumper]

So all the kitchen appliances would be on AFCI circuits.
And a security system would be on an AFCI circuit if installed in one of the requirerd rooms.

Now my AFCI NOT required list for 2014 NEC is:
garage circuits
utility room circuits
outdoor circuits
fau because they are installed in garage or an fau enclosure
Any medical equipment that has instructions saying no AFCI
Fire alarm circuit in metal conduit

Careful.

Any circuit serving a 240V or 120V 30A or greater appliance would not be AFCI.

Just because a manufacturer instructions says no AFCI, there is no automatic exemption for medical equipment. AHJ could possibly grant one.

The fire alarm exemption is not area dependent. Wiring method is the determination.

What is a "fau enclosure".

 

[mlnk]

Careful.

Any circuit serving a 240V or 120V 30A or greater appliance would not be AFCI.

Just because a manufacturer instructions says no AFCI, there is no automatic exemption for medical equipment. AHJ could possibly grant one.

The fire alarm exemption is not area dependent. Wiring method is the determination.

What is a "fau enclosure".

A closet which has a fau in it. Sometimes there is a water heater in the closet too.
I think the manufacturer's instructions dominate over the AHJ rules.
Also, there is a section of the NEC that defers to following manuf instructions.

So my new list….
AFCI NOT required list for 2014 NEC:
garage circuits
utility room circuits
outdoor circuits
fau because they are installed in garage or a utility closet
Any electrical equipment that has instructions saying no AFCI
Fire alarm circuit in metal conduit
240 volt circuit
120 volt circuit rated 30 amp or higher
Some AHJs say no AFCI for smoke detectors or paddle fans or they use 2005 NEC for AFCI placement

 

[jumper]

A closet which has a fau in it. Sometimes there is a water heater in the closet too.

My 2 cents: call that a really small utility room. Closets are mentioned in 210.12 so you are just giving an AHJ a reason to balk.
The section does not specifically say clothes closet, which is defined in the NEC.

I think the manufacturer's instructions dominate over the AHJ rules.
Also, there is a section of the NEC that defers to following manuf instructions.

Er, ya gotta follow both. The section says you have to follow manufacturer's instructions, but that is not exemption from following other sections of the NEC.

Any electrical equipment that has instructions saying no AFCI

Nope. The AHJ can just say install it in an area that does not require AFCI if you want to have it.

Some AHJs say no AFCI for smoke detectors or paddle fans or they use 2005 NEC for AFCI placement

NEC has no allowance for either. If local rules or the inspector is allowing that fine.

Do you have a statewide code where you are at?

 

[Unbridled]

A closet which has a fau in it. Sometimes there is a water heater in the closet too.
I think the manufacturer's instructions dominate over the AHJ rules.
Also, there is a section of the NEC that defers to following manuf instructions.

So my new list….
AFCI NOT required list for 2014 NEC:
garage circuits
utility room circuits
outdoor circuits
fau because they are installed in garage or a utility closet
Any electrical equipment that has instructions saying no AFCI
Fire alarm circuit in metal conduit
240 volt circuit
120 volt circuit rated 30 amp or higher
Some AHJs say no AFCI for smoke detectors or paddle fans or they use 2005 NEC for AFCI placement

(B) Branch Circuit. The branch circuit supplying the fire alarm equipment(s) shall supply no other loads. The location
of the branch-circuit overcurrent protective device shall be
permanently identified at the fire alarm control unit. The cir-
cuit disconnecting means shall have red identification, shall be
accessible only to qualified personnel, and shall be identitied
as "FIRE ALARM CIRCUIT." The red identification shall not
damage the overcurrent protective devices or obscure the
70-689 760.43 ARTrCLE 760 - FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS
manufacturer's markings. This branch circuit shall not be sup-
plied through ground-fault circuit interrupters or arc-fault
circuit-interrupters.

 

[jumper]

(B) Branch Circuit. The branch circuit supplying the fire alarm equipment(s) shall supply no other loads. The location
of the branch-circuit overcurrent protective device shall be
permanently identified at the fire alarm control unit. The cir-
cuit disconnecting means shall have red identification, shall be
accessible only to qualified personnel, and shall be identitied
as "FIRE ALARM CIRCUIT." The red identification shall not
damage the overcurrent protective devices or obscure the
70-689 760.43 ARTrCLE 760 - FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS
manufacturer's markings. This branch circuit shall not be sup-
plied through ground-fault circuit interrupters or arc-fault
circuit-interrupters.

That is not a blanket exemption from GFCI or AFCI requirements for a dwelling unit.

One has to follow the rules in the exceptions in 210.8 and 210.12.

 

[Unbridled]

That is not a blanket exemption from GFCI or AFCI requirements for a dwelling unit.

One has to follow the rules in the exceptions in 210.8 and 210.12.

I can see the confusion here as 760.41(B) clearly exempts F/A NPLFA Circuits from GFCI and AFCI requirements regardless of wiring method (my assumption), where as 210.12(A)(5) indicates a metal type wiring method is required for the exemption.:thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[jumper]

I can see the confusion here as 760.41(B) clearly exempts F/A NPLFA Circuits from GFCI and AFCI requirements regardless of wiring method (my assumption), where as 210.12(A)(5) indicates a metal type wiring method is required for the exemption.:thumbsup::thumbsup:

Your assumption is incorrect.

It clearly says do not install the FA with AFCI and GFCI. That is not an exemption, it is a directive.

So, one must follow the rules and install it in a way that neither is required.

You can easily bypass GFCI and AFCI by a variety of methods.

 

[Unbridled]

I can see the confusion here as 760.41(B) clearly exempts F/A NPLFA Circuits from GFCI and AFCI requirements regardless of wiring method (my assumption), where as 210.12(A)(5) indicates a metal type wiring method is required for the exemption.:thumbsup::thumbsup:

After looking at NFPA 72, Chapter 10.6.2, it basically reverts you back to NFPA 70 for power supply requirements. So, no clarification there either.:thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[Unbridled]

Your assumption is incorrect.

It clearly says do not install the FA with AFCI and GFCI. That is not an exemption, it is a directive.

So, one must follow the rules and install it in a way that neither is required.

You can easily bypass GFCI and AFCI by a variety of methods.

Understood in regards to the directive. What is your opinion on the wiring method however. Must it be installed with a metal wiring method?? According to 210.12, it does. Art. 760.41(B) does not mention the wiring method, only the directive not to be supplied through GFCI or AFCI protected circuit.

 

[jumper]

Understood in regards to the directive. What is your opinion on the wiring method however. Must it be installed with a metal wiring method?? According to 210.12, it does. Art. 760.41(B) does not mention the wiring method, only the directive not to be supplied through GFCI or AFCI protected circuit.

No as long as you put it in an area that does not require AFCI, ie: garage, utility room, basement.

You don't want GFCI: hard wire it or pick an area that does not require it.