arc faults for panel change?

[CopperTone]

had an inspector tell me today that he wants arc fault breakers installed where required if we change out the main panel in a residential house. we are doing no other work in the house. old FPE panel coming out.

210.12 doesn't say anything about if you change the panel or breaker you must install arc fault breakers - it only addresses changing or extending the existing branch circuit.

Anyone else have a different opinion?

 

[rcarroll]

Anyone else have a different opinion?

Yes, not required in my town. Good luck!

 

[JWCELECTRIC]

had an inspector tell me today that he wants arc fault breakers installed where required if we change out the main panel in a residential house. we are doing no other work in the house. old FPE panel coming out.

210.12 doesn't say anything about if you change the panel or breaker you must install arc fault breakers - it only addresses changing or extending the existing branch circuit.

Anyone else have a different opinion?

What Town?

 

[cowboyjwc]

Yes, not required in my town. Good luck!

Nor mine. The odd's of you getting them to work right in an older house are pretty high.

Given enough time I can probably figure it out. Given enough money I can probably fix it.:grin:

 

[raider1]

Yes, not required in my town. Good luck!

Nor mine. The odd's of you getting them to work right in an older house are pretty high.

Given enough time I can probably figure it out. Given enough money I can probably fix it.:grin:

My town either,:grin:

Chris

 

[cpal]

Is the inspector considering a panel board change a modification of the circuit???

 

[dieselram752]

Did he give you a code article

 

[ptonsparky]

Our SED suggested that extending an existing BC, making the wires long enough to reach, is technically extending the circuit. NE will be ignoring that detail.

Good luck.

 

[fishin' electrician]

My town either,:grin:

Chris

Finally, a 'not in my town' inspector that you can respect!

 

[raider1]

Finally, a 'not in my town' inspector that you can respect!

LOL, thanks.:grin:

Chris

 

[fishin' electrician]

You're welcome!

 

[goldstar]

It's the NEC not the TEC. N is for "National" Electrical Code not "Town" Electrical Code. Unless there is a specific city code requirement that amends or exceeds an NEC requirement (like in Chicago or NYC) I don't see how an inspector can compel you to replace regular breakers with arc faults. You're also going to run into a problem with MWBC's.

 

[petersonra]

had an inspector tell me today that he wants arc fault breakers installed where required if we change out the main panel in a residential house. we are doing no other work in the house. old FPE panel coming out.

210.12 doesn't say anything about if you change the panel or breaker you must install arc fault breakers - it only addresses changing or extending the existing branch circuit.

Anyone else have a different opinion?

What he wants is not enforcable.

I don't think 210.12 is the applicable code. It defines what you have to do when you initially build the thing, or do extensive rebuilding. This is more along the lines of a repair.

Would replacing a single CB on a circuit that would now have to be AFCI require the installation of an AFCI? How is replacing the whole panel markedly different?

Are the bathroom circuits on GFCIs? If not, is he making you install GFCI breakers on those circuits?

 

[dwellselectric]

Ask him to show you where it says that in the code. If gives you a hard time take him to the state.