Porch light ocpd
- Thread starter mavrck
- Start date
- Status
- Location
- Tennessee NEC:2017
- Occupation
- Semi-Retired Electrician
Are you running a new circuit for these?
- Location
- Bremerton, Washington
- Occupation
- Master Electrician
What version of the NEC are you using?
Thread title is OCP but you are asking about GFCI/AFCI?
Thread title is OCP but you are asking about GFCI/AFCI?
LarryFine
Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
- Location
- Henrico County, VA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
Just add them to the nearest circuit, like by the front door.
Fred B
Senior Member
- Location
- Upstate, NY
- Occupation
- Electrician
Risidential? Outside to my knowledge if ceiling is not an open air(no roof), then no special requirements for GFCI. But AFCI, here is where there is arguements. Some inspectors say if the switch is in an area that is listed as requiring AFCI protection then those outside lighting circuit has to have AFCI, claims that the switch is a "devices" per 210.12(A). (And look at Article 100 definitions of device). Others will disagree and say nothing needed for outside spaces. So where is your switch?
From my reading of 210.12(A) (NEC 2017) if the switch (a device) is by your door in a space listed you must provide AFCI protection. If you put the switch outside on porch it would appear to be a "get around", but then depending on exposure might need a wheather tight or inuse cover. This exception for AFCI doesn't make sense to me in that the wireing and enclosure is in the same wall just exposed on opposite side so to me poses the same risks, same for a bathroom that does not require and AFCI protection but the wires for bath run thru same space as other wireing that must have AFCI due to the location. (Ie. Bedroom wall receptacle adjacent to bath must be AFCI but the receptacle in bath that might even be back to back with the one in bedroom doesn't need it.) Don't get it.
Thank you that makes sense . So basically it’s not always about where your fixtures are it can also be relative to the switching device.
I primarily do commercial and industrial so I’m trying to get caught back up on residential code .
This off topic but is there any specific code for smoke detectors in residential? I haven’t had any luck locating it.
I primarily do commercial and industrial so I’m trying to get caught back up on residential code .
This off topic but is there any specific code for smoke detectors in residential? I haven’t had any luck locating it.
Fred B
Senior Member
- Location
- Upstate, NY
- Occupation
- Electrician
Smoke detectors are primarily building/fire code issue. AFA electrical code they would require AFCI, all wiring must be done to any applicable code for size, terminations, box sizeing etc., but beyond that code doesn't say much as you found. Around here the building inspectors require 1 smoke in each bedroom and one in hallway outside bedrooms, one on each level of residence and one CO on each level, can be a combo smoke CO. Again building code not NEC.
- Location
- Bremerton, Washington
- Occupation
- Master Electrician
It would be helpfull if you would fill in your occupation on your profile. Put commerical-industrial electrician. Your op question was odd, but now I understand why.
kwired
Electron manager
- Location
- NE Nebraska
- Occupation
- EC
Placement or need for smoke detectors is not an NEC issue, but wiring of them still needs to comply with general rules of NEC, particularly chapters 1-4. Chances are very high you will have detectors in areas that require AFCI protection in accordance with general rules, and if interconnected you will ultimately end up with AFCI protection of the entire circuit even if some detectors are in areas that don't require AFCI protection.
- Status