Where and Why Do We Need AFCI Protection?

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Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters are relatively newer technology. And at the pace the electrical industry is changing and adapting, there may be confusion on WHAT AFCI is and WHERE we need to place them. In the latest episode of Electrician U, Dustin demystifies AFCI’s.

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Before we get into WHERE AFCI’s are required let’s talk a bit about WHAT an AFCI does. An AFCI device detects both types of arcs that an electrical circuit can provide and interrupts the circuit (much like a GFCI breaker does) protecting it from the harmful effects of said arc. A SERIES arc fault is where the wires are broken (or cut) and there is an arc from one side of the wire to the next (in series with one another). A PARALLEL arc fault is where a hot and a neutral wire are not quite directly shorting out, but rather arcing between themselves. The technology for combating these types of arcs is located in the protecting device itself and can sense which type of ARC is present and protect the circuit accordingly.
Devices to protect against Arc Faults come in the same forms as GFCI devices. You can get them in breakers or devices. Breakers protect the ENTIRE circuit, while the devices protect anything downstream from the device. Breakers also come in a C AFCI flavor, which is a combination breaker capable of protecting against both series arcs and parallel arcs. The technology we have today allows us to also have DUAL FUNCTION breakers, which protect against Arc Faults AND Ground Faults.
Article 210.12 of the National Electrical Code is the section that governs AFCI protection. For the most part, AFCI protection is required for most residential applications. As stated before, the protection can come in the form of a breaker or a device in the wall, may require different types of wiring methods, and must be installed in a readily accessible location (just like GFCI’s). Worth mentioning is the requirement for CIRCUIT protection. Whereas GFCI protection typically covers the DEVICE, AFCI protection is designed to protect the CIRCUIT, not just the device. For dwelling units (210.12B), AFCI is required in Kitchens, Family Rooms, Dining Rooms, Living Rooms, Parlors, Libraries, Dens, Bedrooms, Sunrooms, Recreation Rooms, Closets, Hallways, Laundry Areas, and Similar Rooms/Areas. In essence, it is the ENTIRE house, with the exception of bathrooms, garages, and the exterior of the home. 210.12C covers dormitory units (same general dwelling unit categories, just in a smaller footprint) and 210.12D covers other occupancies (guest rooms of hotels/motels, sleeping rooms of nursing homes, and sleeping quarters of first responder type stations). Basically, any place where a person could be living/sleeping needs to have AFCI protection.
There are a couple of exceptions in dwelling units where circuits in one of the above-mentioned areas do not need AFCI protection. These are for circuits supplying a fire alarm system (although it requires the circuit to be in some form of metal raceway) and for circuits supplying an outlet for arc welding equipment (although this exception is currently only until January 1st, 2025) as this by nature is an arc making machine!!
As always, make sure you are referencing the latest edition of the NEC, as the code is constantly evolving between code cycles as technology/installation methods/types of equipment/materials are changing rapidly!
We hope this has been helpful in understanding what an AFCI device is and where they are required to be installed. Is there a topic you would like to see discussed on Electrician U? Leave a comment in the comments section and let us know. Please continue to follow Dustin and Electrician U as we are constantly updating our content to assist our followers in becoming the best electricians that they can be.

#electrician #electrical #electricity #where #why #afci #protection

[michaelmounts]

My home is 120 years old...partially rewired....but now use AFCI on any circuit in the older sections...definitely necessary if you intend keeping any older wiring in place....

[jamess]

Sometimes I think the code books are just there to create a business to keep the paper pushers, inspectors and inexperienced 'tradespeople' employed.
So much of this could be summarized with common language; all we need is an updated version every 5-10 years...

I think the next generation should work towards: "how do we reduce the verbiage in this thing". 🤷

[FishFind]

10:00 welders work off of a transformer. Welding is done ins the 25-30v range. The breaker cannot see what’s happening after the transformer it only sees a constant load. This is why you don’t want to play with microwave transformers. Nothing will trip if you latch on and it frys you.

[neilgrimsley]

Worth the price. Some brands seem better than others. I’ve had a partial residential remodel where they were added to new circuits by Code. I added outlets to a pre-existing circuit in bedrooms. With a normal breaker the circuit stayed on. With an arc fault, the circuit would immediately trip. I traced out the wire and found the pre-existing wiring insulation gone in the attic from squirrels. In this case the arc faults stopped a potential fire that a normal breaker would not trip on.

[phlix]

Brushed motors will arc between the brushes and commutator, which is probably why garages/workshops and exterior receptacles (that might power electric mowers) are exempt. However, kitchens may have mixers and blenders that still use brushed motors and that might be real fun to deal with when trying to bake a cake.

[Elemental-IT]

I watch all youtube at 2x. your channel is the easiest to understand, and your energy lends to that faster delivery.

[sjpropertyservices]

Thank you for sharing. As a homevinspector I am seeing many new panels with AFCI protection for all circuits and dust function breakers for circuits for kitchens, bathrooms, unfinished basements, and exterior.

[FosterFarmsOk]

AFCI breakers are the single most annoying thing we have ever had to deal with.

[MrKen]

Was working in the attic, and while I know to check both sides of a joist before drilling - the one time I didn’t / you guessed it. I put an afci/gfci outlet in my living room a few months ago and when I hit the wire - no bang, no arc flash - nothing. These things are amazing and I’m a strong believer. Hopefully we can see the costs coming down as I’d like to see them more accessible.

[MarkLawry]

I have an old house with some suspect wiring. I wanted the added protection of afci and gfci. I have had only 2 problems with afci. An old vacuum cleaner, since replaced, would trip afci. Disposal sometimes trips afci when we diddle the switch. It is nice that the lights on the breakers tell why the trip occurred- overload, gfci, or afci.

[PM-hebn]

Solid information from a solid electrician. I appreciate what you do for the trade thank you.

[leotexas]

I just so love "Code Time"; mainly because I'm still having trouble navigating the NEC and can rarely find the information I seek. I know, bless my heart ... 😄

[yeayup]

Great video, and editing, very helpful, thank u💯✌️

[keithhults]

I remember when 210.12 came into the code. The breakers were all false tripping, and the NY board of underwriters postponed enforcing 210.12 a few years, until manufacturers corrected their problem. From what I understood. All switches sockets and receptacles must be Arch fault in a residential dwelling.
Protected from the source. There is a list of exceptions. I asked the inspector, can the 1st receptacle in the circuit, be Arch fault. NO! The exception about Arch fault receptacles in my case was, I was able to install combination Arch fault/GFCI receptacles on dedicated circuits, "kitchens and bathrooms, with downstream counter receptacles, and on a dedicated outdoor receptacles circuit, where all the outdoor receptacles are controlled by the combination device at the 1st receptacle, must be labeled, indicating that the receptacle is Arch fault and GFCI Protected. Dedicated equipment is exempt. Hvac, heating systems. This was the last house I totally wired, before my health forced me to stop working. It was 10yrs ago. I remember it like yesterday. You produce awesome podcasts!

[oregonsignalfan]

for the "arc welder" part, I think the breaker might not trip simply because the "arcing" is isolated on the other side of a transformer or inverter built in to the machine.

[brianmcdermott]

Good points, great info. Thank you Jeston.

[victorcarreon]

Bro I love your videos I have learned a lot from you. Thank you for your hard work. Question, I was wondering have put your hands on the tesla powerwalls? I would like if you have, you can potentially make a video about them. How they work and wire process. Keep it up

[isaiahb.]

I love afci breakers! I like troubleshooting and digging into a circuit then correcting it and knowing it’s 100%. Cutler hammer tan handle is the most sensitive out there. Know your customer is safe and your brand is solid!

[professorl.a.r.p.e.r]

I think the exception #2 is saying you cant use a welder anywhere in a house besides the garage or bathroom.

[matthewmontgomery]

At 8:45 you touched on a topic I am currently trying to research. In Dallas we have a 1979 installed StabLok FPE and live in constant daily fear of burning the house down. I am a huge fan of "overbuilding" and "futureproofing".

What logic, rationale, or code, would be violated if the home were rewired with all Dual Function OCPs, Whole Home SPD, and 10/3 w/PVC raceways throughout the home's entirety??

Currently trying to find FPE-compatible Dual Function breakers as temporary security, but no luck exists. Would love to use Dual Function breakers for the entire panel but unclear if it would pass inspection. The home was previously maintained by a foreman for a construction company and there isn't a single aspect of this home that doesn't appear to violate some code... Framing, HVAC, Plumbing, Electrical, everything is just wrong....