Arc fault breakers in an existing structure

[rjg167]

I am about to start a renovation in a home built in 1951. MC cloth wiring, no grounds.

Question 1. Is there anything in the code that will allow me not to have to use Arc fault protection as what is in article 210?

Question 2. Can anyone tell me if they have use old wiring ( no ground ) with arc fault breakers and have any issues

 

[donselectric]

you don't need afci on a panel change and good luck using them in a old house...u may get lucky but i doubt it

 

[jumper]

Dwelling units in VA would only need AFCI for bedroom circuits per state amendments to the IRC.

 

[infinity]

The existing cable is AC cable not MC cable. With AC cable you can use the jacket as the EGC.

 

[Sierrasparky]

Why would you have issue with old MC cable and AFCI?

 

[al hildenbrand]

. . . home built in 1951. MC cloth wiring, no grounds.

I agree with Rob. You are describing Armored Cable. It has a paper wrap between the steel sheath and the conductors, right?

Armored cable Type AC (which is all armored cable back to before 1920) has a metal sheath that is suitable for grounding.

As for AFCI protection, the most likely difficulty will come from ground faults. If you can choose, the GE AFCI breakers are the only ones that DO NOT have a GFCI component in the way they work. I prefer to install them for this reason alone, when working with existing circuits.