AFCI Breakers

[InspectorHolmes]

I Inspected a condo that the AFCI breaker was controling all lighting in bedrooms and bathrrom as well as the receptacles in the bedroom.This was a 15amp AFCI Breaker.Is this Allowed?

Anyone that could lead me to the NEC requirements. The home was constructed in 2005



InspectorHolmes

[Jerry Peck - Codeman]

I Inspected a condo that the AFCI breaker was controling all lighting in bedrooms and bathrrom as well as the receptacles in the bedroom.

Yes, that is okay, provided as you say it included the bathroom lights (not bathroom receptacle outlet).

While the bathroom light is not required to be protected, there is nothing which would prohibit it from being on that circuit and is actually a good idea to protect it.

I do have a question, though: Did the AFCI also protect the receptacle outlets and all other outlets in the bedrooms as well? *ALL* electrical outlets (lighting, receptacle, smoke detector) in bedrooms are required to be protected by AFCI protection (in the 2005 NEC, now more things are required to be AFCI protected in the 2008 NEC).

From the 2005 NEC. (underlining and bold are mine)
- 210.12 Arc-Fault Circuit-Interrupter Protection.
- - (A) Definition: Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupter. 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 de-energize the circuit when an arc fault is detected.
- - (B) Dwelling Unit Bedrooms. All 120-volt, single phase, 15- and 20-ampere branch circuits supplying outlets installed in dwelling unit bedrooms shall be protected by a listed arc-fault circuit interrupter, combination type installed to provide protection of the branch circuit.
- - - Branch/feeder AFCIs shall be permitted to be used to meet the requirements of 210.12(B) until January 1, 2008.
- - - - FPN: For information on types of arc-fault circuit interrupters, see UL 1699-1999, Standard for Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupters.
- - - Exception: The location of the arc-fault circuit interrupter shall be permitted to be at other than the origination of the branch circuit in compliance with (a) and (b):
- - - - (a) The arc-fault circuit interrupter installed within 1.8 m (6 ft) of the branch circuit overcurrent device as measured along the branch circuit conductors.
- - - - (b) The circuit conductors between the branch circuit overcurrent device and the arc-fault circuit interrupter shall be installed in a metal raceway or a cable with a metallic sheath.

From the 2008 NEC.
- 210.12 Arc-Fault Circuit-Interrupter Protection.
- - (A) Definition: Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI). A device intended to provide protection from the effects of arc faults by recognizing characteristics unique to arcing and by functioning to de-energize the circuit when an arc fault is detected.
- - (B) Dwelling Units. All 120-volt, single phase, 15- and 20-ampere branch circuits supplying outlets installed in dwelling unit family rooms, dining rooms, living rooms, parlors, libraries, dens, bedrooms, sunrooms, recreation rooms, closets, hallways, or similar rooms or areas shall be protected by a listed arc-fault circuit interrupter, combination-type, installed to provide protection of the branch circuit.
- - - - 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.
- - - - FPN No. 3: See 760.41(B) and 760.121(B) for power-supply requirements for fire alarm systems.
- - - Exception No. 1: Where RMC, IMC, EMT or steel armored cable, Type AC, meeting the requirements of 250.118 using metal outlet and junction boxes is installed for the portion of the branch circuit between the branch-circuit overcurrent device and the first outlet, it shall be permitted to install a combination AFCI at the first outlet to provide protection for the remaining portion of the branch circuit.
- - - Exception No. 2: Where a branch circuit to a fire alarm system installed in accordance with 760.41(B) and 760.121(B) is installed in RMC, IMC, EMT, or steel armored cable, Type AC, meeting the requirements of 250.118, with metal outlet and junction boxes, AFCI protection shall be permitted to be omitted.

After reading the 2008 NEC required areas you likely picked up on that AFCI protection is basically required wherever GFCI protection is not required.

[InspectorHolmes]

I Inspected a condo that the AFCI breaker was controling all lighting in bedrooms and bathrrom as well as the receptacles in the bedroom.This was a 15amp AFCI Breaker.Is this Allowed?

Anyone that could lead me to the NEC requirements. The home was constructed in 2005



InspectorHolmes

Jerrry,

Thanks for the infor.The condo has two bedrooms with 2 AFCI 15 ampbreakers. Two receptacles in the living room wall adjacent to bedroom would not work or receptacles in bedrooms,and lighting in both bedrooms and bath were all using these to 15 amp breakers. My concern if you had a wide screen Tv in the livingroom a computer,and numerous it using receptacle outs and the lighting at the same time with all the lighting on for bedroom and two bathroom it would seem to be over amped.Correct me please if I'm wrong.

Inspectorholmes

[Jerry Peck - Codeman]

The condo has two bedrooms with 2 AFCI 15 ampbreakers. Two receptacles in the living room wall adjacent to bedroom would not work or receptacles in bedrooms,and lighting in both bedrooms and bath were all using these to 15 amp breakers.

The best answer is to state what is allowed:
- Question: How many receptacle outlets are allowed on a 15 amp circuit?
- Answer: How many do you want?

Yes, that is correct ... "How many do you want?" ... as there is no limitation for residential as to how many receptacle outlets are allowed on any given 15 amp circuit, the more you add the more convenient their location becomes and the fewer, if any, extension cords are used.

Now for the next part of your question.

My concern if you had a wide screen Tv in the livingroom a computer,and numerous it using receptacle outs and the lighting at the same time with all the lighting on for bedroom and two bathroom it would seem to be over amped.

Yes, plugging too many things into all those receptacles CAN overload the circuit, and the breaker will trip ... should trip ... when the circuit is overloaded.

If that happens, then the appliances will need to be plugged into receptacles on other circuits or a new circuit installed.

And, yes, the same is true for older homes which originally have fewer circuits. Your concern would apply to most of the standard everyday homes being constructed today as most builder install the minimum which is required, and most homeowners have appliances which exceed those minimum requirements if all were placed on a few circuits instead of spread out over more circuits.

The code requires the electrical system to be able to handle the load intended, however, the code cannot address all potential loads which may be used, now or in the future.

That is why all codes, including the NEC, are "minimum" codes, as in "this is the *minimum* you are allowed to get away with", but you are allowed to build as much better as you want to.

I am not sure if I answered your question or not.

[InspectorHolmes]

I Inspected a condo that the AFCI breaker was controling all lighting in bedrooms and bathrrom as well as the receptacles in the bedroom.

Yes, that is okay, provided as you say it included the bathroom lights (not bathroom receptacle outlet).

While the bathroom light is not required to be protected, there is nothing which would prohibit it from being on that circuit and is actually a good idea to protect it.

I do have a question, though: Did the AFCI also protect the receptacle outlets and all other outlets in the bedrooms as well? *ALL* electrical outlets (lighting, receptacle, smoke detector) in bedrooms are required to be protected by AFCI protection (in the 2005 NEC, now more things are required to be AFCI protected in the 2008 NEC).

From the 2005 NEC. (underlining and bold are mine)
- 210.12 Arc-Fault Circuit-Interrupter Protection.
- - (A) Definition: Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupter. 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 de-energize the circuit when an arc fault is detected.
- - (B) Dwelling Unit Bedrooms. All 120-volt, single phase, 15- and 20-ampere branch circuits supplying outlets installed in dwelling unit bedrooms shall be protected by a listed arc-fault circuit interrupter, combination type installed to provide protection of the branch circuit.
- - - Branch/feeder AFCIs shall be permitted to be used to meet the requirements of 210.12(B) until January 1, 2008.
- - - - FPN: For information on types of arc-fault circuit interrupters, see UL 1699-1999, Standard for Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupters.
- - - Exception: The location of the arc-fault circuit interrupter shall be permitted to be at other than the origination of the branch circuit in compliance with (a) and (b):
- - - - (a) The arc-fault circuit interrupter installed within 1.8 m (6 ft) of the branch circuit overcurrent device as measured along the branch circuit conductors.
- - - - (b) The circuit conductors between the branch circuit overcurrent device and the arc-fault circuit interrupter shall be installed in a metal raceway or a cable with a metallic sheath.

From the 2008 NEC.
- 210.12 Arc-Fault Circuit-Interrupter Protection.
- - (A) Definition: Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI). A device intended to provide protection from the effects of arc faults by recognizing characteristics unique to arcing and by functioning to de-energize the circuit when an arc fault is detected.
- - (B) Dwelling Units. All 120-volt, single phase, 15- and 20-ampere branch circuits supplying outlets installed in dwelling unit family rooms, dining rooms, living rooms, parlors, libraries, dens, bedrooms, sunrooms, recreation rooms, closets, hallways, or similar rooms or areas shall be protected by a listed arc-fault circuit interrupter, combination-type, installed to provide protection of the branch circuit.
- - - - 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.
- - - - FPN No. 3: See 760.41(B) and 760.121(B) for power-supply requirements for fire alarm systems.
- - - Exception No. 1: Where RMC, IMC, EMT or steel armored cable, Type AC, meeting the requirements of 250.118 using metal outlet and junction boxes is installed for the portion of the branch circuit between the branch-circuit overcurrent device and the first outlet, it shall be permitted to install a combination AFCI at the first outlet to provide protection for the remaining portion of the branch circuit.
- - - Exception No. 2: Where a branch circuit to a fire alarm system installed in accordance with 760.41(B) and 760.121(B) is installed in RMC, IMC, EMT, or steel armored cable, Type AC, meeting the requirements of 250.118, with metal outlet and junction boxes, AFCI protection shall be permitted to be omitted.

After reading the 2008 NEC required areas you likely picked up on that AFCI protection is basically required wherever GFCI protection is not required.

Thanks Jerry you are a good man.To answer your question the afci controled lighting in bedroom(2) and receptacles in bedrooms not bathrooms,and two receptacle sharing wall dividing the livingroom.2 receptacles alon that wall were on the same circuits. Both 15 amp 14awg.

[Jerry Peck - Codeman]

To answer your question the afci controled lighting in bedroom(2) and receptacles in bedrooms not bathrooms,

That is key as the bathroom receptacles should be on their own circuit, beginning (as I recall) with the 1996 NEC.