GFPE Vs. AFCI

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ryan_618

ryan_618

Senior Member
Location
Salt Lake City, Utah
I realize the code answer for this, but I would like to throw out a theoretical for discussion.

Article 426 requires GFPE for de-icing equipment, which, from my understanding, trips at about 30ma of fault. An AFCI breaker also trips at about 30ma. Would an AFCI be an acceptable alternative to the GFPE at about half the price?
 
Re: GFPE Vs. AFCI

Does the fact that the breaker may perform the same function (I don't know for sure if it does) mean that it is listed to be used for GFPE? :confused: Good question Ryan.
 
Re: GFPE Vs. AFCI

HMMM, Ryan is stirring the pot again. :D

The simple answer is no. They have not been investigated for that application. However, since a GFCI is part of the circuitry, I suspect the manufacturers will make the AFCI in Class A and Class B versions of the GFCI. As it stands now, unless it is listed as a GFCI, it is not a GFCI. An AFCI will trip in the milliampere range but that range is not part of the listing.

Ryan, I am looking forward to meeting you in SLC. :D
 
Re: GFPE Vs. AFCI

I thought the reason for GFP incorporated into the AFCI was an attempt at protecting against the more dangerous series arc verses the parallel arc.

With this only being a claim by the manufacturers, I wouldn't put any faith in this being a functional operation of the device. ;)

Roger
 
Re: GFPE Vs. AFCI

I am going to move this to the AFCI forum for the moderator there to help us with. However a class A GFCI combo AFCI is available from one manufacturer for only a few dollars more than an AFCI. I paid $38 for mine in my show and tell box. I have installed a lot of heat cables with GFCI protection, but for short runs that will have limited leakage.
 
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