multi wire afci

[keith gigabyte]

Anyone have experience with multi wire arc fault breakers? I'm planning to run 3 wire (shared neutral) to 2nd floor bedrooms. Use one circuit 120v on left bedroom other circuit to right bedroom. Can I use 2 single pole breakers with handle ties? Or will I have nuisance tripping?

 

[al hildenbrand]

Can I use 2 single pole breakers with handle ties? Or will I have nuisance tripping?

Only GE single pole combination type AFCI will work on a multiwire branch circuit with handle ties. This is the "so called" GE MOD 3 version, which has been selling for about three years now. Older versions don't work. The other AFCIs will only work if they are two pole common trip AFCIs.

 

[keith gigabyte]

I was afraid of that.. no multi wire. Next question..who uses or has cost factor for 14/2 Romex vs. 14/4

 

[Sierrasparky]

I was afraid of that.. no multi wire. Next question..who uses or has cost factor for 14/2 Romex vs. 14/4

There are AFCI's on the market that are made for just the purpose. As Al stated. siemens murray has a two pole 3 wire version. The MOD 3 does not have GFCI so ground fault should not be an issue. I still would run single circuits. 4 wire cable might sound nice but you need to make sure the nuetrals don't get mixed up.

 

[fmtjfw]

There are AFCI's on the market that are made for just the purpose. As Al stated. siemens murray has a two pole 3 wire version. The MOD 3 does not have GFCI so ground fault should not be an issue. I still would run single circuits. 4 wire cable might sound nice but you need to make sure the nuetrals don't get mixed up.

4 conductor NM typically has black, red, white, white/red stripe, bare

 

[flatlander]

4 conductor NM typically has black, red, white, white/red stripe, bare

Well what is the savings compared to regular. I like the idea of 1 less ground.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

I would avoid afci on a multiwire branch circuit-- why look for trouble when you can avoid it.

 

[iwire]

I would avoid afci on a multiwire branch circuit-- why look for trouble when you can avoid it.

As much as I like MWBCs this seems like some very good advice.

 

[Knuckle Dragger]

I would avoid afci on a multiwire branch circuit-- why look for trouble when you can avoid it.

As much as I like MWBCs this seems like some very good advice.

Ditto.