Arc Fault Breakers

[Barry Adair]

Originally Posted by Speedy Petey

I know many of you guys are deathly afraid of liability and getting sued, but come on. I feel the above statement is a bit over the top.
Where do you stop?

Do you suggest safety caps in ALL receptacles? Nope I really think parents should parent and whoop the kids arse if they catch them playing with receptacles or cords. BTW I hate the darn things, caps that is, kids are ok in my book I have 3 and 3 grandkids
Do you suggest removing all gas appliances. When installed incorrectly
Do you suggest a fire extinguisher at every doorway? Yes, under kitchen sink, laundry, and garage
Do you call out the fact that a three story house has no fire escape? absolutely
What about sprinklers? Some areas are beginning to require sprinklers in residential settings. Do you say "Sprinklers are now required in some areas. This is a suggested safety upgrade" ????? on phase construction, yes

All of these things clearly have "the potential to save property destruction or loss of life."

It's not about fear of being sued it's about providing information, education and prevention.

Electrician shows up looks at older, cramped, outdated equipment thats had more work done in and to it than Michael Jackson and says yep time for an upgrade to a new properly located panel that meets current standards. Current standards require AFCI killing a flock of birds with one stone.

[Richard A. Hetzel]

My understanding in New York is that the state code bureau advised us that a change in the code was on the way, to read that AFCI breakers are to be installed on all circuits serving all bedrooms. This has been in my specifications for two years, at least, since it is potentially a life safety issue. I don't remember receiving a bulletin that the change in the state code was actually adopted. New York makes "emergency changes" to its code, which is an adaption of the IRC, with many changes for New York only, in between normal code update cycles.

(I should have said that this requirement was to apply when any alteration or renovation work is done. Existing houses would not need to be retrofitted if no other work is done.)

[mthomas2]

Anyone using this?

http://www.arcfaulttester.com/

[Larry D. Kage]

I haven't tried that one but I believe that the AFCI manufacturers recommend testing their product with the test button only.

[Peter Doane]

Originally Posted by lkage

I haven't tried that one but I believe that the AFCI manufacturers recommend testing their product with the test button only.

Now, I've push tested GFCI outlet "test" buttons and they trip, but fail to trip with my outlet tester... indicating something is askew. I think if a plugged in source wont trip it,.... its bad.

[Larry D. Kage]

Originally Posted by pdoane

Now, I've push tested GFCI outlet "test" buttons and they trip, but fail to trip with my outlet tester... indicating something is askew. I think if a plugged in source wont trip it,.... its bad.

I realize that it is dated 2002 (I know I've read a newer version.) and doing a quick search this is all I found but check # 10 here:

http://www.neccode.com/mojonewsarchi...r~20020812.htm

[mthomas2]

See:

http://66.151.177.220/issues/home/ho...s_1_thru_4.pdf