AFCI's and the 2005 NEC

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bphgravity

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A few questions.

What is the practicality of the Exceptionto section 210.12(B)? When is the last time you used a metallic cable or raceway in a dwelling (other than Chicago)? What is the 6' issue? I rarely ever see panelboards in bedrooms, let alone the fact you usually have several bedrooms.

Also, I have read several times that the code was going to require AFCI installation at the time of service upgrade or panelboard change-out. I always thought the code wasn't retroactive, yet I recently saw this statement in EC magazine. I don't see this requirement in the 2005. Is it there?
 
Re: AFCI's and the 2005 NEC

I think the practicality of it is that if you were to install a new circuit to an existing house, you would have to do a service change if the panel didn't accept AFCI breakers.

As far as the retro-activity, I don't beleive it is there.
 
Re: AFCI's and the 2005 NEC

Bryan,
I think that the exception is the first step to permit the developement, listing and use of AFCI receptacles.
Don
 
Re: AFCI's and the 2005 NEC

P&S have already developed an AFCI receptacle but I don't know if it is listed yet. There is no requirement that all AFCIs be in the bedroom; therefore, the panelboard can be anywhere with a short piece of AC or MC to it and then a run to the bedroom. :D
 
Re: AFCI's and the 2005 NEC

you would have to do a service change if the panel didn't accept AFCI breakers
any main breaker panel I have seen accept afci breaker size and the mount tabs are the same.Smaller panels might have an issue.
 
Re: AFCI's and the 2005 NEC

The conduit requirement allows a receptacle to meet the spirit of AFCI protection, which is to protect wiring behind walls and cords outside of walls from arcing that causes fires.

Since a receptacle cannot open a circuit upstream and there will always be a hot switch leg, the conduit allows the wire to be protected.
 
Re: AFCI's and the 2005 NEC

Seems like all our residential jobs require MC or conduit. These include over 3 floors, multi-use residential above commercial, senior's assisted living units, etc. Do they still make NMC?
 
Re: AFCI's and the 2005 NEC

sprit of AFCI. the code requiers protection of bedroom circuit. yet nothing in the code stops you from pulling every home run in the house down through a bedroom wall.
 
Re: AFCI's and the 2005 NEC

Article 100 defines OUTLET,a wall in a bed room with h/r`s does not meet this description.
 
Re: AFCI's and the 2005 NEC

Do they still make NMC?
Click to expand...
I don't think so. However, you are permitted to use UF anywhere NMC would be used. By the way, the 2005 NEC will require UF, that is used as a substitute for NM or NMC, to have 90 degree C conductors. :D
 
Re: AFCI's and the 2005 NEC

Charlie
2002 NEC 210.12(B) Requires arc fault protection of the entire branch circuit. Is this changing in the 2005?
 
Re: AFCI's and the 2005 NEC

Yes, the 2005 has an exception that states (I left out the metric designations and used abbreviations):

Exception: The location of the AFCI shall be permitted to be at other than the origination of the branch circuit in compliance with (a) or (b):

(a) The AFCI installed within 6 ft of the branch circuit OC device as measured along the branch circuit conductors.
(b) The circuit conductors between the branch circuit OC device and the AFCI shall be installed in a metal raceway or a cable with a metallic sheath.

This will permit leaving the panelboard with a metallic protected circuit to an AFCI receptacle and then going to the bedrooms. Considering the cost differential between GFCI circuit breakers and GFCI receptacles, I would assume that there would be that type of savings for an AFCI receptacle. If that is the case, I would also assume there could be two or three AFCI receptacles together in a ganged box just below or next to the distribution panelboard for all of the bedroom circuits (it would be really easy to drop a 1/2" EMT straight down and pull in some THHN for the receptacles). :D
 
Re: AFCI's and the 2005 NEC

Thanks, as I don't have my 2005 yet and haven't kept up with the proposed changes like I should have.
 
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