AFCI's Explained by Mike Holt & Eaton Engineer

[Richard L. Bennett]

Paul

I too am trying to stay up on the learning curve on AFCI's. As HI's we are going to have to know how to deal with this subject.

Quick question -- Trip to test or not?? -- Then should we check the bed rooms to see that all power is off? -- I think so

I also think that if they do not reset we better make sure that some important device is brought back into service with an extension cord

This is sort of like tripping any of the other breakers in the panel and then finding out that the one to the freezer will not reset two day later

Got to be careful out there

rlb

[Paul W. Abernathy]

Agreed on the added risk. However, it is why HI's have insurance and we do this all the time when testing GFCI's which all SOP's require.

So basically if the AFCI is tripped and wont reset then you have done your job and you just might have helped locate a potential problem as this is not for us to make that guess.

In the future as the industry developes we will see this issue be wide spread as some say not to test the GFCI and some say test the GFCI and some say dont test the AFCI and some say test it.

My personal opinion ( and AGAIN it is MY opinion ) i believe all GFCI's and AFCI's should be tested at the device ( breaker ) and if they function you have done your task. Now the use of a external testing device is an added bonus but not mandatory.

We kinda hve to take the manufactures at face value here and establish a trust in them and the technology but out testing them CAN find problematic issues.

Kinda like GFCI's in a high prone lightning area and surge area....the MOV on the GFCI can fail to do it's job and the GFCI remains closed and still works and appears to be fine unless someone TRIES to reset...and then you notice the defective GFCI.....I think we simply have a duty to test them when they are available and present.

recommending AFCI's to clients is totally a choice the HI has to make....it is not required and the HI again will have to make that personal choice.

Here is my personal method for testing AFCI's in newer homes i inspect. I actually test the bedrooms as normal and do not TRIP the AFCI on them until which point I get to the panel for it's inspection. once I am done I TRIP the AFCI's at the panel and then visit the bedrooms with a ticker to simply verify they are dead, and to make sure the lights on that room are dead and so on.

I am not doing this to check anything other than that as I checked the circuit wiring itself in the room with my tester when I was actually in the bedroom before.


Anti-Bashing Disclaimer -
This method isolates the AFCI and only takes an extra few minutes to do this....again for those who WISH to make a BASHING deal out of my method.....again it is MY method.....people are FREE to do it any way they wish.....I have my ways and my ways will NEVER change unless I am PROVEN they are not a proper method.

[Richard L. Bennett]

Yes Sir

rlb

[Paul W. Abernathy]

Richard the GREAT thing is that we have people LIKE yourself who are interested in knowing about AFCI's and their future.

I am as skeptic as anyone and they STILL have alot of questions but in the end it is a safety enhancement that should prove a breakthru some time down the line.

Hi's who learn it and understand it will be ahead of the curve when explaining it down the road.

[Paul W. Abernathy]

Here is the LATEST draft of the 2008 NEC in regards to Section 210.12

ENJOY- for those that like keeping up to date with changes

210.12 Arc-Fault Circuit-Interrupter Protection.

(A) Definition: Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI).

An arc-fault circuit interrupter is a device intended to provide
protection from the effects of arc faults by recognizing
characteristics unique to arcing and by functioning to deenergize
the circuit when an arc fault is detected.

[ROP
2–119]
(B) Dwelling Units.All 120-volt, single phase, 15- and
20-ampere branch circuits installed in dwelling units shall
be protected by a listed arc-fault circuit interrupter, combination
type installed to provide protection of the branch
circuit. [ROP 2–105, 2–142, 2–111]

FPN No. 1: For information on types of arc-fault circuit
interrupters, see UL 1699-1999,

Standard for Arc-Fault
Circuit Interrupters.
FPN No. 2: See 11.6.3(5) of NFPA 72®-2007, National
Fire Alarm Code® for information related to secondary
power supply requirements for smoke alarms installed in
dwelling units. [ROP 2–118a]

FPN No. 3: See 760.41 and 760.121 for power supply
requirements for fire alarm systems.

[ROP 2–143]

Exception: The location of the arc-fault circuit interrupter

shall be permitted to be at other than the origination of the
branch circuit where the arc-fault circuit interrupter is installed
within 1.8 m (6 ft) of the branch circuit overcurrent
device as measured along the branch circuit conductors.

[ROP 2–147, 2–137]