Arc Fault Protection

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Chris,
I have heard that but have not talked to anyone who has actually seen one of those devices. Also if they do have it and they are the only one who has it, I don't think that would be a legally enforceable rule. I don't belive that the code can require a product that is only available from a single source.
Don
 
I haven't seen this product either, and I agree that it probably isn't enforcable to require everyone to use a certain brand of breaker because they are the only company that has a working combination type AFCI breaker on the market.

Chris
 
Three of the major manufacturers now have the Combination type available. By November the 4 manufacturers will all have them commercially available. I am curious to see how well they will actually function. I have personally spoken with two of the manufacturer reps and they are ready to swear these will function as advertized...Lets see.
 
Pierre,
Three of the major manufacturers now have the Combination type available.
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According to the UL Online Certifications Directory, there are only 2 of the major manufacturers that have a UL listing for a combination type AFCI at this time.
I have personally spoken with two of the manufacturer reps and they are ready to swear these will function as advertized
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Given that they have been saying the same thing for the last 13 years, I have zero faith in anything any manufacturer has to say about AFCIs. They have repeatedly taken steps to intentionally mislead the safety community and CMP 2.
The American public cannot know all of the technical considerations that go into making the decisions that underpin the NEC, nor does it need to.
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The above statement from Siemens about the combination AFCI really makes it look to me like they are trying to hide something?even if they aren?t that is typical of the attitude of the AFCI manufactures?.don?t give out any real information as to the functionality of the device.

Don
 
Arc Fault Protection

The explanation that I have heard from local municipal inspectors is that they do not want the smoke detectors on an AFCI protected circuit is that they are safety equipment. The problem with this interpretation is that the International Residential Code, which requires smoke detectors in sleeping rooms, also goes on to require that they have battery back-up. Therefore, if the AFCI trips, the detectors still have power and should operate when needed. I strongly agree with previous posts that these circuits should be installed according to the NEC. Otherwise, we have circuits in sleeping rooms that do not have the required protection.
 
Pierre C Belarge said:
I have personally spoken with two of the manufacturer reps and they are ready to swear these will function as advertized...Lets see.
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When was the last time a mfg rep told you his company's products wouldn't work?

Where does (s)he work now? :smile:
 
OK Electrical Contractor.

OK Electrical Contractor.

I think the most of the problems with the equipment is from the junk out of China,
I have had some fan/light kits leak so much there is no way to hold a Arc Fault.
They are on the right track, We have some cities, that only require protection in outlets, No lights, or Smokes. Others follow the code to the letter.
I think the intent was to protect from damaged NM (nails driven into romex) or damaged cords, pluged into a device.
The maufactures are getting better, Siemans is almost a no-problem install.
I expect the main's to go Arc Fault soon.
 
Just food for thought:
I personally had a fire that destroyed my house back in 1998. The cause of the fire was a portable am/fm cd player that was plugged into a bedroom receptacle but was not turned on. At that time, the insurance adjuster confirmed that there were 100 documented cases in the state of Missouri where these devices had caused house fires. I have to believe that if the receptalce circuit had afci protection, I still have that house.

Don
 
Al needs learning

Al needs learning

Mr. Hildebrand - go back to the drawing board. AFCI is intended to protect the branch circuit conductors, not the circuit from faulty equipment. The design represents a fault condition, which is what the AFCI is detecting and reacting to. As a Senior Member, this is an area that one would expect your expertise to be great.
 
Educated said:
Mr. Hildebrand - go back to the drawing board. AFCI is intended to protect the branch circuit conductors, not the circuit from faulty equipment. The design represents a fault condition, which is what the AFCI is detecting and reacting to. As a Senior Member, this is an area that one would expect your expertise to be great.
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Educated, your two for three now, tone it down.
 
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