Arc Fault on receptacle

[dcooper]

Ok....... this had been an argument I've been having with a few inspectors....
If I change an outlet out do I have to arc fault the cir?
In the exception in 210.12 it says "does not include any additional outlets or devices"
Your not adding one your replacing one...
But 406.4d4 says it's pretty much required
Thoughts ???

 

[Sierrasparky]

I would say if you change a receptacle you only are required to AFCI if required by the code cycle you are governed by.
Replacements under 406.4D(4) do not require the entire circuit to be AFCI on the replacement outlets.

I would say 210.12 does not apply

 

[ramsy]

406.4(D)(4) has been around since the 2011 Code Cycle, adopted in my State in 2014.

While inspectors may be slow to catch on, especially housing inspectors from HUD & FHA, insurance adjusters will find it during claim forensics, or find other cause to deny claims from the Fire Marshal's report (ie) betteries removed from smokes.

The senior planner in my area used to do forensics for the insurance companies.
He usually looked up for the 60W Max remodel cans with 75Watt lamps, then checks the kitchen remodel with no GFCI's, no AFCI's, 15A lighting ckts powering outlets on 20A breakers, or co-mingled with multiple circuit breakers, improper outlet spacing, & sometimes burnt wall board where duct taped wires are buried behind the wall.

He eventually gets to the fuse box, usually a 200A service upgrade still using the original 100A service drop feeding a 200A breaker, or taped-up split-bolt knuckles giving away that no building permit, or meter spot was done from the power company.

There is usually plenty of cause to settle claims out of court for pennies on the dollar, long before anyone needs to raise the missing Tamper Resistant / missing GFCI / AFCI protection on the outlets.