|
AFCI for older homes
Installing AFCIs should be considered for added protection in existing homes as well homes with aging wiring. Where an existing dwelling unit has a fused panel, a sub-panel with AFCI type breakers may have to be
installed to protect all new branch circuits that supply receptacles in the added bedrooms.
|
|
.
|
| AFCI Breakers for Bedroom Circuits |
|
| .... |
Need more information? Use our search box
Arc-fault circuit interrupters (AFCI) or breakers.
Since 2002 arc-fault circuit interrupters (AFCI) are required for all circuits supplying power to bedroom receptacles. The AFCI (Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter) breaker, will shut off a circuit in a fraction of a second if arcing develops. The current inside of an arc is not always high enough to trip a regular breaker. You may have noticed a cut or worn piece of a cord or a loose connection in a junction box or receptacle arcing and burnt without tripping the regular breaker. As you can guess this is a major cause of fires in a dwelling and studies have shown that many home fire deaths were related to bedroom circuits.
There is a difference between AFCIs and GFCIs. AFCIs are intended to reduce the likelihood of fire caused by electrical arcing faults; whereas, GFCIs are personal protection intended to reduce the likelihood of electric shock hazard.
While GFCIs can be placed anywhere in the home, the best way to provided AFCI protected receptacles in the bedroom is to install an AFCI circuit breaker with built-in AFCI features in the main breaker panel as illustrated.
|
 |
|
|