Smoke Detectors on Arc Fault Breakers

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mpowers

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Are the 120 volt smoke detectors installed in the bedroom of a dwelling unit required to be on the Arc Fault breaker?
 
Yes they are. More to the point, a permanently mounted and AC powered smoke detector counts as an "outlet." Any outlet in a dwelling unit bedroom (and in other rooms, if the 2008 NEC is in effect in your area) must be powered be a circuit that has AFCI protection for the entire circuit.
 
raider1 said:
Yes, a smoke detector is an "outlet" as defined in Article 100 of the NEC.

Chris
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I should clarify this statement and say that the juntion box where the smoke detector is connected to building premise wiring is the actual "outlet" per the NEC definition, not the smoke alarm itself. The smoke alarm would be utilization equipment.

Chris
 
I can see the want ad now.

"Moderator for professional electrical forum looking for some one to type faster than other forum members.":)

Chris
 
charlie b said:
Yes they are. More to the point, a permanently mounted and AC powered smoke detector counts as an "outlet." Any outlet in a dwelling unit bedroom (and in other rooms, if the 2008 NEC is in effect in your area) must be powered be a circuit that has AFCI protection for the entire circuit.
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Not "any outlet" in a bedroom. All 120-volt, single phase, 15- and 20-ampere branch circuits supplying outlets. :wink:
 
...unless of course your in NJ ~ then it is "optional" under the '05 [NJ hasn't accepted the '08 yet]
 
celtic said:
...unless of course your in NJ ~ then it is "optional" under the '05 [NJ hasn't accepted the '08 yet]
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Does NJ have an exception for 05'? We are on the 05' here and we got to afci the smokes.
 
acrwc10 said:
Does NJ have an exception for 05'? We are on the 05' here and we got to afci the smokes.
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More like an amendment:
3. Chapter 2 of the electrical subcode, entitled "Wiring and Protection," is amended as follows:
i. Section 210.12(B) of Article 210, entitled "Branch Circuits," is amended to insert the following sentence at the end of the section, "This requirement shall be considered optional."
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NEMA - Code Alert: New Jersey, 07 Nov 2005

 
The CMP clearly intended the smoke detectors to be on an AFCI.
We need to protect the wiring to the smokes. Its the same as any other wiring. Plus smokes have battery backup.

Effective Dec 31, 2008 in washington state they may be on an AFCI but not required to.
 
tom baker said:
The CMP clearly intended the smoke detectors to be on an AFCI.
We need to protect the wiring to the smokes. Its the same as any other wiring. Plus smokes have battery backup.

Effective Dec 31, 2008 in washington state they may be on an AFCI but not required to.
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YES THERE are a lot of beds and furniture pushed up against the smoke detectors this makes perfect sence in an asylum.
 
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