Square D two pole AFCI a couple years away

[drive1968]

Yesterday I asked Square D when they are planning on offering a two pole AFCI 20A breaker. Here is the response from Square D:

"We are currently working on some inovative solutions for shared neutral applications. I cannot go into detail of how we are going to do it. However, we are still a couple years away."

I'm curious as to what the innovative solution could be. I know other manufacturers offer a two pole AFCI. I originally asked the question to Square D because I sometimes have to rewire existing multi-wire runs to bedrooms to bring them up 2005 NEC. My local inspector requires AFCI on older circuits whenever a new panel is put in or the circuit is extended in any way.

 

[LarryFine]

My local inspector requires AFCI on older circuits whenever a new panel is put in or the circuit is extended in any way.

Is that his own rule, or has the AHJ (the department, not a person) legally adopted that requirement?

 

[drive1968]

He says that is from the AHJ, but I doubt it. I think it is his own decision. I never got into the details with him. I just decided to go along so he doesn't look to cause me other problems. The inspector has a spotty reputation, so I decided not to press my luck.

 

[LarryFine]

He says that is from the AHJ, but I doubt it. I think it is his own decision. I never got into the details with him. I just decided to go along so he doesn't look to cause me other problems. The inspector has a spotty reputation, so I decided not to press my luck.

On the contrary, that's the kind of inspector you shouldn't kowtow to; it sets a bad precedent.

 

[al hildenbrand]

My local inspector requires AFCI on older circuits whenever a new panel is put in or the circuit is extended in any way.

There are two parts to this statement. I agree with Larry about not letting it go. To me, a gentle push back in the form of a question and opening the Code Book together can be a great place to start.

I work in Minnesota and am mostly inspected by State Inspectors that are under one AHJ. This makes for a more homogeneous field enforcement. Here, the understanding is that 210.12(B), while requiring AFCI on circuits, is requiring AFCI on circuits of outlets installed. Since the NEC, in MN is taken as a new construction Code, if no new outlets are installed, then the branch circuit remains as-built without AFCI protection (unless one voluntarily installs AFCI protection).

So, (first part) the panel replacement doesn't require AFCI if the outlets on the branch circuits remain un-altered.

(Second part), Extending a circuit implies adding an outlet. The outlet is new, therefore, the outlet must be supplied by an AFCI protected circuit. Because of the difficulties and cost of dealing with multiwire homeruns of existing branch circuits, I have found that many, though not all, times cost is controlled by installing a new homerun for the new outlet(s).

The Forum Members have discussed this quite a bit over the last while. You should be able to locate some of the threads.

I'm not looking to reopen the debate, rather, I'm just summarizing my experience in my local.