Arc Fault For Knob and Tube Wiring

[Ravenvalor]

Hello,

I service an old church that has knob and tube wiring. If I were to replace the fuses with Arc-Fault breakers would the breakers hold?

Thank You,

 

[JoeStillman]

I expect they would, but only if there are no arcing faults.

 

[jes25]

I expect they would, but only if there are no arcing faults.

In my experience they do not. Back in the day they didn't keep the neutrals separate very well, so they'll trip

 

[Little Bill]

Hello,

I service an old church that has knob and tube wiring. If I were to replace the fuses with Arc-Fault breakers would the breakers hold?

Thank You,

AFCI protection is only required for dwellings.

Why would you want to put them in a church unless it has provisions that meet the requirements for a dwelling? But even then I don't think they are required.

 

[GoldDigger]

In my experience they do not. Back in the day they didn't keep the neutrals separate very well, so they'll trip

If the AFCI breaker also incorporates GFCI....

Why would you want to put them in a church unless it has provisions that meet the requirements for a dwelling? But even then I don't think they are required.

Maybe for the same reason we put GFCI receptacles on two wire circuits, to increase safety whether required or not?

 

[Ravenvalor]

AFCI Chruch

AFCI Chruch

AFCI protection is only required for dwellings.

Why would you want to put them in a church unless it has provisions that meet the requirements for a dwelling? But even then I don't think they are required.

They are just trying to keep the old building safe. I took the panels off and determined that they have 1940's BX Greenfield cable and not knob and tube. In my opinion old bX is more dangerous than knob and tube.

Thank you,

 

[czars]

As a note, I heard the other day, at a seminar, that some AFCI breaker manufacturers have removed the 30ma GFCI detection capability because they no longer need it to meet the requirements for AFCI breakers.