Arc or GFCI breaker?

[Dario]

I have a kitchen circuit where we replaced receptacles and switches and after we finished, one of the hot wires had a little crack and touched the metal box.
Smoked a little bit but the breaker (20Amp) didn't trip.
These are very old metal boxes and there is no way we can fit a GFI in the beggining of the circuit and to top it off, there is not ground ( very old romex)
Would a Arc or GFI breaker work?.
we really want to leave this circuit with some protection.

Thanks for your help

 

[charlie b]

Kitchen counter circuits require GFCI protection. Arc fault protection would not be an acceptable substitute. But using a GFCI breaker will satisfy the requirement. In addition, it will provide the protection you are looking for, even without the presence of an equipment grounding conductor.

Welcome to the forum.

 

[Dario]

Thank you very much

Thank you very much

Thanks for your answer, I don't understand some people that get into remodeling and forget something so important as electrical,
they remodeled this kitchen, new cabinets, new granite counter tops, everything and didn't care to rewire it while is easy.

thanks again

 

[K8MHZ]

Kitchen counter circuits require GFCI protection. Arc fault protection would not be an acceptable substitute. But using a GFCI breaker will satisfy the requirement. In addition, it will provide the protection you are looking for, even without the presence of an equipment grounding conductor.

Welcome to the forum.

Watch for shared neutrals, though. GFCI breakers aren't effective on circuits that share neutrals. That info should be on the box or instruction sheet.

 

[al hildenbrand]

Thanks for your answer, I don't understand some people that get into remodeling and forget something so important as electrical, they remodeled this kitchen, new cabinets, new granite counter tops, everything and didn't care to rewire it while is easy.

I'll see this from time to time.

I'm in a major metro area that has good inspection and layers of rules (local amendments and requirements).

One such rule is: In a single room of an existing dwelling, if less than 50% of the wall surface is opened up to the framing, the room gets to stay the way it is.

Some people will value appearance over electrical power. If they demand it, they can get a good looking kitchen that won't do much. Maybe they eat out all the time.

Even the NEC itself opens reminding us that the requirements it gives us, while safe, may well not be "efficient, convenient or adequate for good service." {2005 NEC 90.1(B)}