School me on arc fault breakers

[pyrobow]

Required on new builds? All rooms in the house? Just bedrooms? ect.

[Dale Moser]

They are trash. I replaced some of them with real breakers in our house.

Static from your finger to the switch can trip them. All kinds of stuff trips them.


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[Mrsailfish]

Unless you have to have these for inspection, do not get them unless you want to be resetting breakers. I have seen ceiling fans, printers, TVs trip them for no reason.

[meltingfeather]

they are worthless... and required basically everywhere.
Killer combo

[justintyme8303]

Originally Posted by Mrsailfish

Unless you have to have these for inspection, do not get them unless you want to be resetting breakers. I have seen ceiling fans, printers, TVs trip them for no reason.

X2

we have 1 plug that we cant plug the vacuum cleaner to. If we do when you push the button to stop the brushes to go from carpet to hardwood it trips.

[bloodtrailer28]

Trash. You won't be getting inspected in burner co so no need to worry about them.

[jrfan]

They can be a pain in the butt like smoke alarms until you need them to save your house or your life. Then they are the greatest thing since sliced bread.

[FLASH_OUTDOORS]

The worst things invented other than “the windi”



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[mattjproc]

For sure. Pure junk.

[Mountaineer]

Texas adopted the 2017 NEC in September, so technically required but who enforces it? Municipalities will differ on code cycle and outside city limits it's a 'do whatever you want' in many areas.

In the 2017 edition of the NEC®, Section 210.12 requires that for dwelling units, all 120-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-ampere branch circuits supplying outlets or devices installed in dwelling unit kitchens, family rooms, dining rooms, living rooms, parlors, libraries, dens, bedrooms, sunrooms, recreation rooms, closets, hallways, laundry areas, or similar rooms or areas shall be protected by AFCIs.

[txtradesman]

from what Ive gathered.. and Im a Journeyman Electrician

motors trip them the most..

ceiling fans, blenders, vacuums, and etc

Ive been servicing them for several years

[Low Fence]

I hope whoever mandated them is one day put on a respirator... that’s plugged into one. I despise them

[BigThicketBoy]

Do not put them on anything that you want to stay cold. The lights blink and they trip and you don't notice it you lose three deers worth of meat. Ask me how I know

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[AgHntr10]

Originally Posted by Low Fence

I hope whoever mandated them is one day put on a respirator... that’s plugged into one. I despise them

yes!

[WTucker]

To answer your questions:

1- Yes they are required on new builds.
2- The latest code cycle requires AFCI basically everywhere but your garage, bathrooms, and outdoor circuits.

Depending on where you live, the authority having jurisdiction may still be using an older code cycle. This could change the requirements a little.

[Texastaxi]

Originally Posted by WTucker

To answer your questions:

1- Yes they are required on new builds.
2- The latest code cycle requires AFCI basically everywhere but your garage, bathrooms, and outdoor circuits.

Depending on where you live, the authority having jurisdiction may still be using an older code cycle. This could change the requirements a little.

Which require GFCI ... which are almost as bad.

[TxKronik]

They are also required in the 2014, 2011, and 2008 NEC may even befor that

When the state adopts the code it trumps local municipalities ordinances if they adopted an older code. Municipal (and trec) inspectors should be inspecting based on what is the newest code adopted either state or city.

The state is still on like the 2006 IBC so local municipalities can adopt any code cycle newer than that for the IBC (basically can be more strict not less)

That's why when the state adopted the 2015 IECC (Energy Code) everyone now has to do blower door tests and all the other dump stuff it requires regardless of what your city has adopted.

kronik by Diamond

[TEX_hunt_AS]

Wifes hairdryer tripped one almost every morning until we changed it to a normal breaker.

[TexasBob]

Inspector told us we passed because we had them when we bought the house. Then said to swap them out and save them until we sell. I haven't yet, hasn't been an issue for us yet.

[meltingfeather]

Originally Posted by jrfan

They can be a pain in the butt like smoke alarms until you need them to save your house or your life. Then they are the greatest thing since sliced bread.

lol like that's ever happened

[Tony Pic]

Originally Posted by TEX_hunt_AS

Wifes hairdryer tripped one almost every morning until we changed it to a normal breaker.

Then the breaker did its job. Was the Mrs. plugging in the hair dryer with it on?
That would cause an Arc at the device and the breaker did its job.
I totally agree about the arc faults being a PITA. But if you stay in the scope of the breakers operation...they work fine.
GFCIs work good. Again, Only if you have a wiring problem( shared neutrals on gfci ckts ect) or turning stuff on, with it on, problem...These devices work fine.

[TEX_hunt_AS]

Originally Posted by Tony Pic

Then the breaker did its job. Was the Mrs. plugging in the hair dryer with it on?
That would cause an Arc at the device and the breaker did its job.
I totally agree about the arc faults being a PITA. But if you stay in the scope of the breakers operation...they work fine.
GFCIs work good. Again, Only if you have a wiring problem( shared neutrals on gfci ckts ect) or turning stuff on, with it on, problem...These devices work fine.

First question I asked as well and she wasn't. I think the problem was the number of fixtures on that circuit (Plug, Lights, Vent Fan, Etc.) A GFCI is more convenient to reset, so that is the route we went.

[FLASH_OUTDOORS]

Originally Posted by Low Fence

I hope whoever mandated them is one day put on a respirator... that’s plugged into one. I despise them

I’m still laughing at this.


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