Combo AFCI

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splinetto said:
I've got some of the new combo arc faults and was wondering they areavailable throughout the country...
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They are readily available here but I have heard they are having problems with some of them. I am not sure what brands were the problems.
 
Dennis Alwon said:
They are readily available here but I have heard they are having problems with some of them. I am not sure what brands were the problems.
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I just had an addition to be turned down because the arc fault wouldn't trip. The brand was GE. I tried another breaker while the inspector was there and it too wouldn't trip. Pulled the cover for him to looksee and he said all was ok in the panel and the tester showed that all the wiring at the receptacles were correct. Wound up just using a regular breaker and got my CO. I wish I knew what was really wrong.

Chris
 
Chris Simms said:
I just had an addition to be turned down because the arc fault wouldn't trip. The brand was GE. I tried another breaker while the inspector was there and it too wouldn't trip. Pulled the cover for him to looksee and he said all was ok in the panel and the tester showed that all the wiring at the receptacles were correct. Wound up just using a regular breaker and got my CO. I wish I knew what was really wrong.

Chris
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Chris, what were you using that wouldn't trip the breaker?
If the test button on the breaker works, nothing else is necessary. In fact, I do not believe that the manufacturers recognize any other means of testing AFCIs.
 
Dennis Alwon said:
They are readily available here but I have heard they are having problems with some of them. I am not sure what brands were the problems.
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Dennis I'm just curious, what kind of problems?

Joe
 
JohnJ0906 said:
Chris, what were you using that wouldn't trip the breaker?
If the test button on the breaker works, nothing else is necessary. In fact, I do not believe that the manufacturers recognize any other means of testing AFCIs.
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I agree, the only acceptable tester is the button on the AFCI itself.
 
none of the supply houses here are carrying them, and they've told me they don't know anything about them. Lowe's has them in-stock in the visi-pack. I love the picture on the front of a house completely engulfed in flames, although it doesn't say whether this cb is the prevention or the cause. :D
 
joebell said:
Dennis I'm just curious, what kind of problems?

Joe
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He was using some type of tester by Eaton? I will research further, its similar to the litthe gfci tester with a button to cause a trip.
I found a picture
Chris
 
Chris Simms said:
He was using some type of tester by Eaton? I will research further, its similar to the litthe gfci tester with a button to cause a trip.
I found a picture
Chris
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Thats not a tester, its an indicator at most, and it means nothing.
 
stickboy1375 said:
Thats not a tester, its an indicator at most, and it means nothing.
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But that is what our City and County inspectors are using to test the AFCI. It is supposed to trip the AFCI when the push the test button
Chris
 
Chris Simms said:
But that is what our City and County inspectors are using to test the AFCI. It is supposed to trip the AFCI when the push the test button
Chris
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The inspectors over in Thomasville, GA are doing the same thing. It must trip to pass. I haven't had any not work, yet.
 
brantmacga said:
The inspectors over in Thomasville, GA are doing the same thing. It must trip to pass. I haven't had any not work, yet.
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It would be tough to justify failing an AFCI breaker due to its failure to trip using an unrecognized test by the manufacture.

Chris
 
raider1 said:
It would be tough to justify failing an AFCI breaker due to its failure to trip using an unrecognized test by the manufacture.

Chris
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I've said nothing thus far because my equipment hasn't failed this test. If I ever do get turned down though, I know how to handle them. :D
 
***Update***

After complaining to 1 of the supply houses about the combo arc fault breakers failing, and another electrician returning several hundred dollars of breakers, they inturn contacted the manufacture rep, they then contacted the City and County inspectors in our area and now they will pass the AFCI combos whether their "indicator" trips it or not.
Chris
 
time

time

brantmacga said:
none of the supply houses here are carrying them, and they've told me they don't know anything about them. Lowe's has them in-stock in the visi-pack. I love the picture on the front of a house completely engulfed in flames, although it doesn't say whether this cb is the prevention or the cause. :D
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Time will tell !!:-?
 
Chris Simms said:
***Update***

After complaining to 1 of the supply houses about the combo arc fault breakers failing, and another electrician returning several hundred dollars of breakers, they inturn contacted the manufacture rep, they then contacted the City and County inspectors in our area and now they will pass the AFCI combos whether their "indicator" trips it or not.
Chris
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Chris
It is very good to see you put the effort in to correct the situation. Cudos to you and the City for recognizing the situation as not being a real issue in regards to the operation of the AFCI Combo type breaker!!!
 
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