AFCI PROTECTION AFCI RECEPTACLES AND THE NEC PASS

AFCI PROTECTION: AFCI RECEPTACLES AND THE NEC PASS & SEYMOUR 9/29/2020 1

Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI) Receptacle AFCI Receptacles protect against electrical fires. NEC definition of 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. 9/29/2020 2

AFCI Receptacle Annual (2011) NFPA data for U. S. residential electrical fires § 47, 700 fires § 418 deaths § 1, 570 injuries § $1. 4 billion in property damage 9/29/2020 3

AFCI Receptacle – types of arcing Test lab photo: series arc on appliance cord resulting in fire 9/29/2020 4

AFCI Receptacle – arcing examples Damaged power cord Nail or staple severing insulation 9/29/2020 5

Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI) – NEC 2002 NEC 9/29/2020 Bedroom circuits that supply 125 V, 15 A & 20 A outlets shall be protected by an arc fault circuit interrupter. 6

Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI) – NEC 2002 NEC Bedroom circuits that supply 125 V, 15 A & 20 A outlets shall be protected by an arc fault circuit interrupter. 2005 NEC Location of the AFCI can be at other than the origin of the circuit if with in 6 ft. and the home run is protected by metallic conduit. AFCI Receptacles allowed 9/29/2020 7

Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI) – NEC 2002 NEC Bedroom circuits that supply 125 V, 15 A & 20 A outlets shall be protected by an arc fault circuit interrupter. 2005 NEC Location of the AFCI can be at other than the origin of the circuit if with in 6 ft. and the home run is protected by metallic conduit. AFCI Receptacles allowed 2008 NEC Requirement extended to all non-GFCI circuits. Combination AFCI required. 9/29/2020 8

Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI) – NEC 2002 NEC Bedroom circuits that supply 125 V, 15 A & 20 A outlets shall be protected by an arc fault circuit interrupter. 2005 NEC Location of the AFCI can be at other than the origin of the circuit if with in 6 ft. and the home run is protected by metallic conduit or MC cable. AFCI Receptacles allowed 2008 NEC Requirement extended to all non-GFCI circuits. Combination AFCI required. 2011 NEC AFCI protection required when a circuit is modified, replaced or extended (remodel). AFCI protection required when a receptacle on a circuit requiring AFCI protection is replaced (effective 2014). AFCI Receptacles allowed in remodel and replacement. 9/29/2020 9

Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI) – NEC 2014 NEC AFCI protection required in kitchens and dorm rooms AFCI Receptacles allowed as part of a “system-combination” type. 9/29/2020 10

Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI) - NEC Adoption of AFCI protection contributing to the reduction in the number of electrical fires. 9/29/2020 11

Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI) - NEC Similar to GFCI: Electrocutions Associated With Consumer Products Source: NEMA 9/29/2020 12

Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI) - product AFCI Circuit Breaker AFCI Receptacle * NEC definition 9/29/2020 13

AFCI Receptacle – 2014 NEC requirements Section 210. 12 requires arc-fault circuit interrupter protection in dwelling units, dormitory units and on dwelling unit branch-circuits that are extended or modified. The arc-fault circuit interrupter shall be installed in a readily accessible location. Dwelling Units - All 120 -volt, single phase, 15 - and 20 -ampere branch circuits supplying outlets 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 a listed arc-fault circuit interrupter. Dormitory Units – All 120 -volt, single-phase, 15 - and 20 -ampere branch circuits supplying outlets installed in dormitory unit bedrooms, living rooms, hallways, closets, and similar rooms shall be protected by a listed arc-fault circuit interrupter. Note: Guest Rooms and Guest Suites – Guest rooms and guest suites that are provided with permanent provisions for cooking shall have branch circuits installed to meet the rules for dwelling units (including AFCI protection). 9/29/2020 14

AFCI Receptacle – 2014 NEC requirements It is permissible to meet this requirement if RMC, IMC, EMT conduit, Type MC or steel-armored Type AC cables conduit or armored cable and metallic boxes are installed for the portion of the branch circuit between the branch circuit overcurrent device and the first outlet, and an Outlet Branch. Circuit type AFCI is installed at the first outlet to provide protection for the remaining portion of the branch circuit. It is also permissible to meet this requirement if a listed metal or nonmetallic conduit or tubing or Type MC cable is encased in not less than 2 in. of concrete for the portion of the branch circuit between the branch circuit overcurrent device and the first outlet, and an Outlet Branch-Circuit AFCI is installed at the first outlet to provide protection for the remaining portion of the branch circuit. 9/29/2020 15

AFCI Receptacle – 2014 NEC requirements It is also permissible to meet this requirement with a listed Outlet Branch-Circuit AFCI installed at the first outlet on the branch circuit in combination with a listed branchcircuit overcurrent protective device where all of the following conditions are met: a. The branch-circuit wiring shall be continuous from the branch-circuit overcurrent device to the outlet branchcircuit AFCI. b. The maximum length of the branch-circuit wiring from the branch-circuit overcurrent device to the first outlet shall not exceed 50 ft for a 14 AWG conductor or 70 ft for a 12 AWG conductor. c. The first outlet box in the branch-circuit shall be marked to indicate that is the first outlet of the circuit. d. The combination of the branch-circuit overcurrent device and Outlet Branch-Circuit AFCI shall be identified as meeting the requirements for a system combination-type AFCI and shall be listed* as such. 9/29/2020 • UL has yet to publish a certification standard that allows for the listing of a system combination. 16

AFCI Receptacle – 2014 NEC requirements Section 210. 12 (B) Branch Circuit Extensions or Modifications – Dwelling Units. When a branch circuit wiring is modified, replaced or extended, the branch circuit shall be protected by one of the following: 1 – A listed combination-type AFCI located at the origin of the circuit 2 – A listed Outlet Branch-Circuit type AFCI located at the first receptacle outlet of the existing branch circuit. 9/29/2020 17

AFCI Receptacle – 2014 NEC requirements Section 406. 4 (D)(4) requires AFCI protection when a receptacle is replaced. Replacements – Where a receptacle outlet is supplied by a branch circuit that requires AFCI protection, a replacement receptacle shall be one of the following: 1 – A listed Outlet Branch Circuit type AFCI receptacle 2 – A receptacle protected by a listed Outlet Branch Circuit type AFCI Receptacle 3 – A receptacle protected by a listed Combination type AFCI type circuit breaker. 9/29/2020 18

AFCI Receptacle - Dual Purpose AF/GF Devices The 2014 NEC requires AFCI protection on kitchen and laundry area circuits. These circuits also require GFCI protection. Dual Purpose AF/GF Devices will be introduced. These are devices that provide both AFCI and GFCI protection. 9/29/2020 19

AFCI Receptacle - benefits § AFCI receptacles provide a convenient way of protecting a house. Like a GFCI Receptacle, an AFCI Receptacle is located in the living space therefore TEST and RESET are controlled locally and the indicator light can be easily seen. No confusing trips to the breaker box are required. When an AFCI Receptacle trips, it is due to the detection of an arcing condition (in contrast to a breaker that also detects overload and short circuit conditions). Since AFCI Receptacles only trip due to detection of arcing conditions, troubleshooting is therefore simplified. Less confusion for the homeowner means fewer call backs for the electrical contractor. § AFCI Receptacles are easier to install. AFCI Breakers can only be installed in a breaker box of the same brand. AFCI Receptacles will fit in any wall box. This reduces contractor inventory and ordering complexity. An AFCI Receptacle can be installed in a wall box as a cost effective alternative when a breaker box is full or there is no matching AFCI Receptacle for a brand of breaker box. AFCI Receptacles do not have to be installed at the origin of the circuit and can be installed downstream from shared neutrals. This potentially reduces unwanted tripping. AFCI Receptacles have two back wire holes per termination. This allows flexibility because you can choose not to protect some downstream loads. 9/29/2020 20

AFCI Receptacle - benefits 9/29/2020 21

AFCI Receptacle – features and benefits 9/29/2020 22

AFCI Receptacle - Summary § Important electrical safety product – protects against electrical fires § NEC requirements are expanding to more circuits & more building types § AFCI Circuit Breakers and AFCI Receptacles are available § AFCI are contributing to the reduction in the number of electrical fires 9/29/2020 23