Does panel replacement trigger AFCI requirement?

[sfav8r]

I just did a panel replacement. I assumed that I needed to put the bedrooms on afci, so I did.

During inspection, the inspector says "let's take a look at what you did in the bedrooms." I explain it was only a panel replacement, and he says, "you didn't need the afci if your only replacing the panel."

Is that true? I thought by putting in the panel I was upgrading that circuit and therefore triggered the afci requirement.

[ October 13, 2005, 09:34 AM: Message edited by: sfav8r ]

 

[jeff43222]

Re: Does panel replacement trigger AFCI requirement?

The inspector is right. Inspectors I've talked to have told me that the AFCI requirement is only triggered by new bedroom outlets. Merely swapping out the panel doesn't add anything new to the circuit.

[ October 13, 2005, 09:47 AM: Message edited by: jeff43222 ]

 

[charlie]

Re: Does panel replacement trigger AFCI requirement?

It depends on you local laws and ordinances. There are some locations where any work will trigger an upgrade and other locations where it is grand-fathered. The NEC doesn't address those issues.

 

[jeff43222]

Re: Does panel replacement trigger AFCI requirement?

Good point, Charlie. One jursidiction I work in has an ordinance with a full-page list of things you have to do if you upgrade the panel (minimum number of receptacles in each room, lights over all outside doorways, at least two circuits in the kitchen, etc.), while others allow me to upgrade the panel or the service without having to set foot elsewhere in the house. The ordinance I mentioned also specifically says AFCIs are only required on new bedroom outlets.

I'm assuming the inspector you talked with is up on local policies, so there's probably not an ordinance requiring AFCIs for a panel swap.

 

[electricmanscott]

Re: Does panel replacement trigger AFCI requirement?

Originally posted by jeff43222:
One jursidiction I work in has an ordinance with a full-page list of things you have to do if you upgrade the panel (minimum number of receptacles in each room, lights over all outside doorways, at least two circuits in the kitchen, etc

File under: Another brilliant municipality.
:roll:

 

[bphgravity]

Re: Does panel replacement trigger AFCI requirement?

As of October 1, the state of Florida has adopted the Florida Existing Building Code which specifies all required electrical provisions when new or repair work is being performed.

 

[peter d]

Re: Does panel replacement trigger AFCI requirement?

Originally posted by electricmanscott:
File under: Another brilliant municipality.
:roll:

You beat me to it. It seems like such draconian laws would actually decrease safety, because most people, when faced with the cost of virtually rewiring their home along with a service upgrade, would just forget about it all together.

 

[charlie b]

Re: Does panel replacement trigger AFCI requirement?

Very good point, Peter! Such a rule could only come from a politician whose only interest is in remaining a politician.

 

[electricmanscott]

Re: Does panel replacement trigger AFCI requirement?

Originally posted by charlie b:
Very good point, Peter! Such a rule could only come from a politician whose only interest is in remaining a politician.

We must do this "For the children" :roll:

 

[jimwalker]

Re: Does panel replacement trigger AFCI requirement?

So then what happens is a dangerious panel does not get changed out because the other stuff sends the price over the hill.Or it gets changed by an unlicensed electrician or handyman.We need to stop and think.Any corrective repairs are better than none.Sure afci probably doing some good.How many of us have installed them on our own homes ?I have not yet but gave thought to it.Its spending money that is always tight and unlikely to ever help

 

[peter d]

Re: Does panel replacement trigger AFCI requirement?

Originally posted by charlie b:
Very good point, Peter! Such a rule could only come from a politician whose only interest is in remaining a politician.

Furthermore, such a rule could only come from someone who is totally out of touch with reality and doesn't have a shred of common sense, aka a politician!

[ October 13, 2005, 08:40 PM: Message edited by: peter d ]