Panel Change - Arc Fault

[Tom Drake]

Provided panel change in older condo Unit. Had to relocate panel 2’ due to cabinet obstruction. Inspector wants complete condo unit on arc fault circuits because wire lengths extended over 6’. What code indicates this?

 

[augie47]

210.12(D)

 

[don_resqcapt19]

The 2020 clarified that the 6' of wire is the wire between the two locations and does not include the wire inside the enclosures at each end. However if you are on a older code, you can make the case that the 6' is the total length from end to end.

2017 code
210.12(D)Exception:
AFCI protection shall not be required where the extension of the existing conductors is not more than 1.8 m (6 ft) and does not include any additional outlets or devices.

2020 code
210.12(D)Exception:
AFCI protection shall not be required where the extension of the existing branch circuit conductors is not more than 1.8 m (6 ft) and does not include any additional outlets or devices, other than splicing devices. This measurement shall not include the conductors inside an enclosure, cabinet, or junction box.[/quote[

 

[DrSparks]

Provided panel change in older condo Unit. Had to relocate panel 2’ due to cabinet obstruction. Inspector wants complete condo unit on arc fault circuits because wire lengths extended over 6’. What code indicates this?

Yeah. Gotta do AFCI. So annoying. Be sure to check which code cycle you're on locally. We're on 2017. It will determine which circuits you'll need to upgrade.

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[DBoone]

What is the significance of 6’ instead of 2’ or 7’ or any other length?

 

[Greentagger]

Not required if not adding additional outlets or devices.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

What is the significance of 6’ instead of 2’ or 7’ or any other length?

Like a lot of other things in the NEC, it is just an arbitrary number decided on by the code making panel.

For this application the intent of the rule is to permit a panel to be changed without requiring the installation of AFCIs. The panel recognized that sometimes for a panel replacement, the new panel had to be in a slightly different location, but they also recognized that a new panel with new overcurrent protective devices would be a safety improvement over an old obsolete panel and they understood that the additional cost of requiring AFCIs for a panel replacement would result in fewer obsolete panels being replaced.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

Not required if not adding additional outlets or devices.

But it is if the circuit conductors are extended more than 6' even without the addition or outlets or devices.

 

[Greentagger]

I

But it is if the circuit conductors are extended more than 6' even without the addition or outlets or devices.

Isn’t the key word “and”?

 

[DrSparks]

I


Isn’t the key word “and”?

Condition 1AND Condition 2. If either are false, the statement is false.

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