AFCI REQUIREMENTS

[geochurchi]

Hi All,it is my understanding that the 2014 NEC requires AFCI in basically every location in a dwelling,dose this mean that an outlet near a kitchen sink or like area need a GFCI breaker and an AFCI receptacle ?
Geo

 

[mwm1752]

How you protect the outlet AFCI/GFCI is your call for your basic example

 

[kwired]

Hi All,it is my understanding that the 2014 NEC requires AFCI in basically every location in a dwelling,dose this mean that an outlet near a kitchen sink or like area need a GFCI breaker and an AFCI receptacle ?
Geo

More likely the breaker needs to be the AFCI as the entire circuit needs the protection not just the outlet.

But there are breakers out there and others will likely follow that have both AFCI and GFCI protection, so those would work as well.

 

[rhovee]

Hi All,it is my understanding that the 2014 NEC requires AFCI in basically every location in a dwelling,dose this mean that an outlet near a kitchen sink or like area need a GFCI breaker and an AFCI receptacle ?
Geo

I would do it the other way around. Put AFCI breaker in and the. Put a gfci outlet installed like you normally would.

 

[mbrooke]

Hi All,it is my understanding that the 2014 NEC requires AFCI in basically every location in a dwelling,dose this mean that an outlet near a kitchen sink or like area need a GFCI breaker and an AFCI receptacle ?
Geo

Yes. You need GFCI and AFCI protection everywhere except say the furnace. Best way to do it is dual function AFCI and GFCI breakers. Square D makes them, more pricey yes, but worth it since you don't have to spend money on GFCI outlets.

 

[shortcircuit2]

Yes. You need GFCI and AFCI protection everywhere except say the furnace.

If the furnace is controlled by a switch (device) in the kitchen or elsewhere requiring AFCI protection...the furnace will need AFCI protection also.

 

[electricmanscott]

If the furnace is controlled by a switch (device) in the kitchen or elsewhere requiring AFCI protection...the furnace will need AFCI protection also.

This is an easy one to overlook. :slaphead:

 

[kwired]

If the furnace is controlled by a switch (device) in the kitchen or elsewhere requiring AFCI protection...the furnace will need AFCI protection also.

If that switch is controlling the 120 VAC power line, if it is a 24 VAC control ciruit - depends on the location of the furnace, if located in any room mentioned in 210.12(A) then AFCI is required. If not 15 or 20 amps, 120 volts - AFCI is not required.

I can see there being discrepancies here over whether a closet with nothing in it but a furnace or water heater is deemed a closet that applies to 210.12(A).

Some will say this is a mechanical room and not a closet as well.

 

[goldstar]

If the furnace is controlled by a switch (device) in the kitchen or elsewhere requiring AFCI protection...the furnace will need AFCI protection also.

This is an easy one to overlook :slaphead:

I can see your point with this but I think we're stretching the practicality and the intent of the Code section. I'm sure we can all come up with interpretations and scenarios where AFCI's might be required, above and beyond those location cited in the Code. Will we ever get to the point where the wiring for a circuit, not requiring AFCI protection and with no outlets or devices, passes through a section that does require AFCI protection, will that circuit now require AFCI protection ? This can go on forever.

 

[kwired]

I can see your point with this but I think we're stretching the practicality and the intent of the Code section. I'm sure we can all come up with interpretations and scenarios where AFCI's might be required, above and beyond those location cited in the Code. Will we ever get to the point where the wiring for a circuit, not requiring AFCI protection and with no outlets or devices, passes through a section that does require AFCI protection, will that circuit now require AFCI protection ? This can go on forever.

2014 added the the words "or devices", which by it's own definitions would include the switches that they have left out of the AFCI requirements in the past. I think it was likely intentional, though I have not read any comments on it from the CMP.

All 120-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-ampere branch circuits supplying outlets or devices....