Arc fault breakers required because megger test was done?

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jwjrw

jwjrw

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My inspector is making me put in arc faults on all circuits because the house had to be meg tested due to the builder hanging sheetrock without a rough inspection. Is this a nec code? Inspector is new and not very personable and would not tell me if it is a ahj issue. Before I call the chief inspector I wanted to know and cant find it in 2005 nec any help appreciated.
 
It is not code.

But the inspector could probably force the stripping of the drywall.

Either way this is all an extra that I would expect the GC to pay for due to hanging sheet rock without an inspection.
 
Well that is easier than removing all the drywall since you did'nt have a rough inspection. I am amazed that you would complain about his requirement since you got caught not having a rough inspection. I do agree that the AFCI protection outside of the required area is silly.....maybe this is his way of punishment.
 
arc fault

arc fault

He could but ahj wanted meg test to satisfy them. My opinion is that arc fault breakers havent been perfected yet and see no reason for all breakers to be changed alas I am not the inspector thanks iwire
 
caught but not guilty lol

caught but not guilty lol

You tend to not be guilty when you call in a rough and the builder knows that then covers you up anyway. I just feel the house will not be made safer but I dont have to pay for the arcs I just have to put them in!
 
Is the inspector requiring the AFCI's because the megger testing was done? Or is he requiring this in addition to megger testing?

The reason I ask is because jurisdictions I have worked for give megger testing, along with a hefty fine, as a bit of relief if wiring is covered prior to inspection.

Pete
 
meg test

meg test

He is requiring them in add to meg test. No fine that I know of. Just a case of a builder getting lot numbers mixed up and telling sheetrock crew to hang. I dont have a problem with it but think it is not making house any safer. He could of made us tear out drywall but he didnt. I guess that is fair but still dont agree. But I dont havr to I only have to give him what he wants.
 
If I am reading this right, Because he required you to megger the branch circuits he now wants AFCI protection, because of the megger test, If this is the case just shake you head cause he lacks knowledge of what he speaks.

If he requiring both megger and AFCI then I guess you get a change order, unless you gave the drywall contractor the go ahead. IMO experience inspectors take some latitude with an attitude when this happens, drywall without inspection.
 
I've had the same thing happen to me more often than I'd like. Pre-AFCI's, if the rock got hung before ruff inspection, they wanted a circuit-by-circuit megger test, with results in report form submitted to the AHJ. Now that we have AFCI's, they seem to be still demanding the megger test, as always, but also want you to AFCI the circuits. Like Bob says, they could make the builder strip all the rock, so demanding a megger report and AFCI's is comparable to "letting you off easy".
 
arc fault

arc fault

I had a copy of the list of lot numbers called in for rough inspections and gave a copy to the builder. He got mixed up so he already has the bill for the meg test made out to him and the change order also. I think the cost involved with changing to arcs is wasted money but the cost of no final inspection is much greater. He probally wont make that mistake again. Im sure the meg test wasnt cheap either.
 
You would think that there might be a "rough" sticker placed on the window of each house that passed the inspection :confused:

I always tell the builder and/or drywall crews to look for the sticker before proceeding to cover up the walls.
 
kbsparky said:
You would think that there might be a "rough" sticker placed on the window of each house that passed the inspection :confused:

I always tell the builder and/or drywall crews to look for the sticker before proceeding to cover up the walls.
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From the business standpoint of the rockers, if the GC calls for a house to be hung, they're gonna hang it.
 
mdshunk said:
From the business standpoint of the rockers, if the GC calls for a house to be hung, they're gonna hang it.
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That puts it squarely in the GC's lap; it's also up to him to not call for it before required inspections.

Find out if the plumbing, HVAC, and insulation inspections were also skipped.
 
jwjrw said:
My opinion is that arc fault breakers havent been perfected yet
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The AFCIs we have today have been required since 2002 and work well. 99% of the time a tripped AFCI is due to a wiring error- IE a neutral to ground connection in a box.
Why do you feel they are not perfected?
 
Tom,
The AFCIs we have today have been required since 2002 and work well.
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For what purpose do they work well? They provide very little protection where it is really needed...beyond the fixed wiring of the building.
Don
 
In Massachusetts, after having been notified the inspector of wires has a predetermined amount of time to inspect , if the clock runs out ,.. the job can move forward. It could be the same where you are .
 
It is called rule #10

Rule 10. Electrical installations shall not be concealed or covered from view until inspected by the inspector of wires within and not more than 24 hours for exterior excavations nor more than 72 hours for interior installations after proper notice to the inspector, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays excluded.
 
arc

arc

While a circuit is energized you can arc the neutral to the device with your sidecutters and they usally do not trip. Have gotten better but still not perfected.
 
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