AFCI question

[Paul W. Abernathy]

Greg,
That was the "In the KNOW" response from the NFPA guys.....my personaly opinion is like the NEC always does.......they TRY something and if it becomes a problem then they change it...lol....so who knows.

[wsiegel]

Originally Posted by jpope

Not with AFCI breakers. They run hot.

I would not be concerned with this. . .

Jeff,

I know that AFCI's will run hot, but isnt a 40 degree differential a but much??

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

Originally Posted by wsiegel

Jeff,

I know that AFCI's will run hot, but isnt a 40 degree differential a but much??

Possibly, but not absolute.

There are several considerations to be taken in, such as the circuit load, but more so in the breakers themselves.

If there is a lone AFCI breaker surrounded by standard breakers, it's not likely it will get "too" hot. As you increase the number of AFCI breakers, side by side, the heat will multiply as well, and the middle breaker(s) will generally have the greatest temp.

I've seen as many as 8 AFCI breakers "stacked" and in contact with eachother and you could literally feel the heat coming off of them. Although there are no provisions that set a maximum number for these breakers, some manufacturers suggest that no more than three be in direct contact because of the excessive heat build-up.

As Greg pointed out, there are upcoming codes that may require all circuits to be AFCI protected. What do you expect the temperature difference to be when there are 40 AFCI breakers stacked in a single panel?

[kweiss]

Originally Posted by jpope

Possibly, but not absolute.

This is how I stated it in my report. I did not state definatively that it was faulty. i simply pointed out that this temperature differential seemed high and IN MY OPINION it should be further investigated by an expert. Particularly because I could confirm with the homeowner, this was a warranty inspection, that the only thing on this circuit in the identified bedroom was an alarm clock.

I still think it was a reasonable opinion to render. It may ultimately end up being wrong and an expert may say it is fine. But I am comfortable with pointing it out in this situation. I will follow up with the homeowner next week and see what has come from it.

[Paul W. Abernathy]

Originally Posted by jpope

Possibly, but not absolute.

There are several considerations to be taken in, such as the circuit load, but more so in the breakers themselves.

If there is a lone AFCI breaker surrounded by standard breakers, it's not likely it will get "too" hot. As you increase the number of AFCI breakers, side by side, the heat will multiply as well, and the middle breaker(s) will generally have the greatest temp.

I've seen as many as 8 AFCI breakers "stacked" and in contact with eachother and you could literally feel the heat coming off of them. Although there are no provisions that set a maximum number for these breakers, some manufacturers suggest that no more than three be in direct contact because of the excessive heat build-up.

As Greg pointed out, there are upcoming codes that may require all circuits to be AFCI protected. What do you expect the temperature difference to be when there are 40 AFCI breakers stacked in a single panel?

Jeff,

The point will really be in what the Manufacturers say even if adopted by the NEC. If the manufacturers put a requirement on spacing yet the NEC were to adopt the provision it is looking at...who would overrule.....well it would be the Manufacturer.....THEN what.......anyway should be an interesting debate and I am along with GREG on THIS side of the electrical fence awaiting how the two sides plan on forming a MARRIAGE together over this........should be interesting.....