AFCI with no neutral

[chris kennedy]

I'm looking at a dwelling unit PNL and there are 2 AFCI breakers with the branch circuit neutral connected to the neutral buss and the breaker neutral capped off. Pressing the test button does nothing but the breaker is in the closed position. I didn't know you could defeat the AFCI and use it like a standard breaker.

Anyone done this before?

 

[ActionDave]

No, but it sounds like a good way to put an end to call backs.

Are they new combo AFCI or the old branch circuit type?

 

[FionaZuppa]

the new Eaton AF's i put into my house panel had instructions that pointed to the neutral termination on the breaker with a "if used" note.

 

[chris kennedy]

No, but it sounds like a good way to put an end to call backs.

Are they new combo AFCI or the old branch circuit type?

Not combo's and when I got back to the shop I talked to the guy that wire the house and he defeated them due to neutral EGC faults. (Don't comment, I know:blink

the new Eaton AF's i put into my house panel had instructions that pointed to the neutral termination on the breaker with a "if used" note.

Thats interesting, I would think they would be designed only to work if the AFCI protection was functional.

 

[ActionDave]

Not combo's and when I got back to the shop I talked to the guy that wire the house and he defeated them due to neutral EGC faults. (Don't comment, I know:blink

I had a good run as the local AFCI demon exorcist when they first came out. With the old branch feeder type it was a miswire every time, often a neutral to ground fault.

I never saw a true "nuisance trip" till the newest combo style came out. That is why I was curious.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

I believe both gfci and afci will function as standard breakers without the neutrals attached. If you don't attach the neutrals then the electronic wont work.

 

[FionaZuppa]

I believe both gfci and afci will function as standard breakers without the neutrals attached. If you don't attach the neutrals then the electronic wont work.

i think if you hook the coiled tail (white) to neutral bus the electronics are active. i am not 100% sure what happens if the load neutral is not on the AF in this scenario.

 

[GoldDigger]

If the AFCI is one with GF protection, and there are any line to neutral loads, then not using the breaker neutral terminal will cause a trip. With no GF component, the AF will probably work normally, but it would be used outside its listing.