Can an AFCI offer GFCI protection

[Paul W. Abernathy]

Originally Posted by pabernathy

"The standard AFCIs have GFP and not GFCI protection built in. The term GFCI should be reserved for "people protective eqquipment". A GFCI has a ground fault trip level of 4 to 6 mA, but the GFP in an AFCI has a trip level of 30 to 50 mA." from Mike Holt Forum.

As stated...

Originally Posted by pabernathy

"They have TWO different functions......but NO ONE can deny they are MERGING as we speak.....if the standards is SIMPLY the function......then yes they do TWO different things......but one device CAN do both....

Just remember and this is important....if someone has a AFCI breaker...DO NOT let them assume it also has GFCI protection.....chances are VERY high it does not....and IF it did the breaker would say so.....very important...read my COMPARE of the different models above.......

Originally Posted by pabernathy

If I again HAD to tell someone to have AFCI and GFCI protection in a panel that does NOT have a dual AFCI/GFCI listing breaker available....they should use a STANDARD AFCI for the panel and replace the FIRST receptacle in the branch with a GFCI receptacle...and they will effectivly have the protection....

However keep in mind the newer models of AFCI/GFCI combination do provide both...as previously posted...but in basic terms....again a standard AFCI does not offer any level of GFCI " Personal Protection "

[Paul W. Abernathy]

APPOLOGIES to Gerry.........We did not keep it simple.....sorry!

[Greg Fretwell]

You need to verify which one is installed but there are combo AFCI/GFCIs

[Paul W. Abernathy]

Agreed....

"The FIRE-GUARD™ Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI) is a residential circuit breaker with an integrated processor which recognizes the unique current and/or voltage signatures associated with arcing faults, and acts to interrupt the circuit to reduce the likelihood of an electrical fire. With the Cutler-Hammer FIRE-GUARD AFCI, protection from arcing faults is combined with conventional thermal and magnetic overloads as found in standard residential circuit breakers protecting wiring from excessive heat or damage due to overloading or short circuits. FIRE-GUARD AFCI can also be equipped with 5 mA ground fault protection to protect from personal shock hazards. Now, there is a residential circuit breaker that provides protection from arcing faults, conductor damage due to thermal overloads and short circuits, as well as 5 mA ground fault protection in one integrated design."

[Joe Lyvers, CMI]

Originally Posted by rcooke

Great article thanks . Just did a condo really perfect . Pushed GFCI test buton heard the snap but the power did not go of .
Used my tester no response.
This was 12 years old and for 12 years they have had no GFCI protection.
For this the person was very glad he had a home inspector .
You just never know .
No idea what was wrong this was for the condo to fix.
Roy sr

Roy, I encounter this problem very frequently. It's been my experience to learn that the LINE and LOAD wires are switched. Some installers just don't read the instructions on the back.