Bedroom Ceiling Fan...

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1793

1793

Senior Member
Location
Louisville, Kentucky
Occupation
Inspector
Customer wants to add a ceiling fan. Will more than likely come off of an existing circuit. Is it required to be Arc Fault protected?

Thanks,

Norb
 
Re: Bedroom Ceiling Fan...

210.12(B) states, "All 120-volt, single phase, 15- and 20-ampere branch circuits supplying outlets installed in dwelling unit bedrooms shall be protected by a listed arc-fault circuit interrupter, combination type installed to provide protection of the branch circuit."

The fan will be supplied by an outlet so it is required to be on an AFCI circuit. :D
 
Re: Bedroom Ceiling Fan...

I understand the need for such a requirement for "new" home or room addition installations. Is it just me or does anyone else see this type of installation requirement a little over the top.

To comply it appears that a home run would be required to get this fan on an Arc Fault breaker. I welcome any other thoughts on this topic.

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Re: Bedroom Ceiling Fan...

....move to NJ. NJ has not acepted ACFI...yet...so, hurry up and pack those bags!
 
Re: Bedroom Ceiling Fan...

Celtic is right but I think that NJ will probably adopt AFCI protection when it adopts the 2005 NEC in May 2006.
 
Re: Bedroom Ceiling Fan...

In our city we would not require it to be AFCI.
We try to look at these existing houses on a case by case basis.
We don't even start to think about it until they start adding sq fottage to the bedroom
 
Re: Bedroom Ceiling Fan...

I read too much into the question. I assumed that the bedroom already had AFCI protection. If that were the case, my answer stands. For an older home, I retract my first response for most areas (it may be wise to check with the AHJ). :D
 
Re: Bedroom Ceiling Fan...

This home was built late 80's early 90's. I don't think the Arc Faults were in place at that time, old age my mind is slipping. I feel there is NO AFCI at this time on anything.

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Re: Bedroom Ceiling Fan...

Originally posted by celtic:
....move to NJ. NJ has not acepted ACFI...yet...so, hurry up and pack those bags!
Click to expand...
That I didn't know...In Jersey, huh?

Are you sure you want him to come to the Garden State? I live there myself....
 
Re: Bedroom Ceiling Fan...

NJ has not acepted ACFI...yet
Click to expand...
I like the idea of leaving out the AFI requirement. Good decision.

I'll bet you're allowed to use them if you desire. The way it should be.
 
Re: Bedroom Ceiling Fan...

Charlie, I'm curious, and I figure you might know the answer.

Arc fault interrupters are in 210. Does that mean it was CMP 2's decision to require them or was it something that was given to them to put into code?

I know, I'm always on CMP 2. :D
 
Re: Bedroom Ceiling Fan...

Sam, we had the total AFCI presentation along with CMP-2. We were asked to include some marking requirements in the Code but rejected the proposal. The circuit breaker portion was already covered so we didn't do anything to address the AFCI issue. CMP-2 has the entire branch circuit so they control the AFCI in the same manner as they do the GFCI.

Since there are some (at least P&S) that have developed the receptacle type AFCI, I expect to see more proposals to promote the use of the receptacle type and the price to dramatically come down for the AFCI circuit breakers. How is that for making a prediction? :D
 
Re: Bedroom Ceiling Fan...

So it was CMP 2 who decided that these things need to be mandated.

I'd love to see a group picture of these people. It couldn't be as bad as I imagine. :D

Price going down and performance going up would obviously be good.

I like the receptacle possibility but I thought these things were really only protecting the branch circuit wiring. Or was that one of the unfortunate discoveries after the code was written?

I don't mean to rehash this whole subject again. One item just tends to lead into the next.
 
Re: Bedroom Ceiling Fan...

You are correct for now. The combination type AFCI is supposed to protect the branch circuit wiring as well as small cords. :D
 
Re: Bedroom Ceiling Fan...

I don`t know there are enough call backs for gfci reptacles that have tripped,I can imagine the call backs for afci receptacles that have tripped and you know they will be behind the biggest heaviest piece of furniture in the house :D Bad enogh we have to move 1/2 the garage to get to the panel just to reset the afci breaker ;)
 
Re: Bedroom Ceiling Fan...

It depends on which code version your locality is using. The '99 NEC requires circuits supplying bedroom receptacles to have AFCI protection; the '02 requires this for ALL bedroom outlets.

Any new work done is supposed to be done at today's code, regardless of how old the house is, from what our inspectors say.
 
Re: Bedroom Ceiling Fan...

So if the ceiling fan is on a circuit with nothing but other ceiling mounted light fixtures the AFCI is not required? :confused:
 
Re: Bedroom Ceiling Fan...

Originally posted by nsutton:
So if the ceiling fan is on a circuit with nothing but other ceiling mounted light fixtures the AFCI is not required? :confused:
Click to expand...
Lights and fans require ceiling outlets, so new construction would require AFCIs, in an existing home you would have to ask your AHJ.
Refer to Definition of "Outlet" in Art. 100.

Dave
 
Re: Bedroom Ceiling Fan...

Thanks Dave, it's pretty clear when you look at the definition of an outlet. Unfortunately, I like many others, tend to use "outlet" interchangeably with "receptacle".
 
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