AFCI - Switches & Receptacles

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rknikko

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Assuming I am using 12/2, can we wire lights and receptacles in the dwelling bedroom in the same AFCI circuit? Will this cause the AFCI to trip? I understand that we cannot share the neutral, but I am not sure whether I can share lights and receptacles in the circuit.

[ September 04, 2004, 12:43 AM: Message edited by: rknikko ]
 
Re: AFCI - Switches & Receptacles

Yes they can share the same AFCI.
While it's not a good Idea because if you have an AFCI trip you will also loose your lights, I would use one to feed the lights in more than one bedroom then use another or two to pickup the receptacles. this way your not putting all your eggs in one basket.

And another problem that we have run into that this will eliminate is if a plug in surge suppressor is used in a receptacle in the bedroom then a paddle fan with a wall speed control wont trip the AFCI. But a vacuum or hair dryer plugged in the AFCI circuit with a surge suppressor will still cause the AFCI protecting the receptacles to trip. That's because these plug in surge suppressors use a line to ground TVSS devices and when the motor spikes the circuit the AFCI will interpret it as a ground fault.
 
Re: AFCI - Switches & Receptacles

Unless this is a large custom home with extensive lighting in the bedroom, I think any and every general purpose load that is in that bedroom can be served from one circuit. I have not seen too many homes with the lighing outlets separated form the receptcales in the same room.
 
Re: AFCI - Switches & Receptacles

Actually, there are only maximum of 5 receptacles and 2 lights in the same circuit. Will that be OK? I just don't think it's necessary to pull another line just for that 2 lights.
 
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