Arc fault breakers on a multi wire circuit

[Bmac2488]

How do you protect multi wire circuits with arc faults and a shared neutral . Panel change and upgraded new code require arc fault breakers on every circuit except appliance circuits (lights, receptacles,smoke detectors) .The old wiring is all multi circuit with a shared neutral.

 

[rc/retired]

There are some breakers out there that work with multi-wire branch circuits.
I'm thinking SqD Homeline and Siemens.
Good luck!

Ron

 

[letgomywago]

2 pole options exist for most new panels. GE you handle tie 2 1 pole afcis. Siemens and Eaton make 2 pole options for their lines. Square D has discontinued 2 pole AFCIs.

Other option is to use the exception and use an AFCI device at the first outlet and put 2 afci switch combos or receptacle or dead fronts. I use this one often in kitchen remodels and use an afci/gfci device. Those get less call backs to because people are used to the gfi popping so if it nuisance trips they tend to look to the fault being the appliance if you put the breaker in people like to blame us.

 

[tthh]

The same problem also exists for tandem breakers.
Ideally, there should be 2-pole, AFCI, GFCI and combination AFCI/GFCI in full size and tandem for 15A and 20A for any given panel.

No one should ever use tandem as a new install at this point. At least you can get 2-pole GFCI and then put in an AFCI receptacle.

 

[letgomywago]

The same problem also exists for tandem breakers.
Ideally, there should be 2-pole, AFCI, GFCI and combination AFCI/GFCI in full size and tandem for 15A and 20A for any given panel.

No one should ever use tandem as a new install at this point. At least you can get 2-pole GFCI and then put in an AFCI receptacle.

Siemens makes a tandem afci now so others will catch on

 

[Little Bill]

How do you protect multi wire circuits with arc faults and a shared neutral . Panel change and upgraded new code require arc fault breakers on every circuit except appliance circuits (lights, receptacles,smoke detectors) .The old wiring is all multi circuit with a shared neutral.

Panel change does not trigger the AFCI requirements unless the conductors are extended more than 6'.

 

[Mr. Serious]

Panel change does not trigger the AFCI requirements unless the conductors are extended more than 6'.

Unless there is a local requirement for it.