al hildenbrand
Senior Member
- Location
- Minnesota
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor, Electrical Consultant, Electrical Engineer
We are doing a project (single family home) where the existing main electrical panel is going to become a sub panel do to an addition to the house. Panel won't be moving but it will be converted into a sub panel. Electrical inspector says that he considers all the existing branch circuits to be modified. He is requiring us to provide AFCI protection for any circuits that are required to be AFCI protected. He is citing 210.12(B) of the 2014 NEC.
Chris,
There's a fundamental problem with your inspector's citing 210.12(B):
And that fundamental problem for the inspector lies in the Article 100 Definition of Branch Circuit:2014 NEC 210.12(B)
Branch Circuit Extensions or Modifications -- Dwelling Units.
In any of the areas specified in 210.12(A), where branch-circuit wiring is modified, replaced, or extended, the branch circuit shall be protected by one of the following:
2014 NEC
Article 100 Definitions
Branch Circuit. The circuit conductors between the final overcurrent device protecting the circuit and the outlet(s).
Before, and after, the change of the panel from housing the main bonding jumper to having electrically isolated neutrals and equipment grounding conductors, the BRANCH CIRCUIT conductors are still hots, neutrals and equipment grounding conductors, and they have not been touched (as you describe.) The Branch Circuit Hots are Hots, Neutrals are Neutrals and EGCs are EGCs.