How to Reduce Acne Scars with Home Remedies
Q&A for How to Determine when to Use Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (Af Circuit Breakers)
Coming soon
Search
-
QuestionAfter installing the modifications, where do I install the AFCIs?SteveTop AnswererAFCI circuit breakers need to be installed in the circuit breaker or service panel. If your dwelling has armored cable or pipe from the service panel to the first box, and that first box is constructed of metal (not plastic or fiber), you can remove the receptacle and replace it with an AFCI receptacle. If the first box does not contain a receptacle (is a switch or ceiling box of a fan or light) it will not be possible to install a receptacle in those boxes and will require that an AFCI breaker be installed in the electric panel instead.
-
QuestionHow I replace the arc fault with regular breaker?Community AnswerBe careful, regular breakers do not monitor the neutral wire from that circuit. You must remove the neutral from the neutral bar and land it on the arc fault breaker so that it will now monitor the current peaks, and will shut the circuit off then it senses a problem.
-
QuestionI would like to home run a 12/2 cable to a switch box controlling a chain of outlets. From this box I'd like to run 14/3 to switch control the bottom half specific outlets. Per code, can the home run be connected to an AFCI? Have I violated any rules with this scheme?Community AnswerIt depends on local ordinances. Here in San Antonio, what you just described would be a violation of our local code, because nothing smaller then #12 wire is acceptable. Just remember, a 20 amp breaker is for wire rated for 20 amps, hence the #12. If the code allows #14 wire then you must protect it with a 15 amp breaker.
-
QuestionDo detached garages need AFCI protection?SteveTop AnswererAFCI is required in dwelling units only (commercial and industrial locations are not required to have this protection). A dwelling unit is defined by the NEC as: "A single unit providing complete and independent living facilities for one or more persons, including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, cooking, and sanitation." A detached garage does not meet this definition, and therefore is not required to have AFCI protection. Of course, the local AHJ may require it, so checking with him/her can't hurt. Swapping standard circuit breakers to AFCI combination breakers is easy to do though.
-
QuestionWhich type of light switch should be used for an arc-free circuit?Community AnswerAny normal household light switch should not trip an AFCI unless there is a serious problem with the switch.
-
QuestionCan an arc fault trip on one breaker in a circuit breaker panel trip all of the other arc fault breakers in the same panel?SteveTop AnswererEach 120 volt circuit (black / red hot wire and white neutral wire) is connected to the respective terminals ON the AFCI device for the circuit. For this reason, a fault on one AFCI should not cause any other AFCI devices in the panel to open. Make sure both hot AND neutral conductors of the branch circuit are connected to the correct terminals on the AFCI. (Do NOT connect the branch circuit neutral wire to the neutral bar in the panel.) The curly white pigtail wire that is factory connected to the AFCI must be connected to the neutral bar in the panel.
-
QuestionCan the neutral be spliced in order to have enough length to reach the newly installed AFCI?SteveTop AnswererYes. Branch circuit conductors can be spliced, neutral and or line (hot). Since AFCIs are installed on 120 volt circuits rated at 20 amps or less, all of these circuits are considered branch circuits.
-
QuestionHow much does a 20 amp AFIC breaker cost?Community AnswerThey start at around $30 but can go much higher. A 20 amp Murry brand AFCI is $39 at Home Depot.
-
QuestionWhy do arc fault circuit interrupters need to be installed in a metal box? Will they work if installed in a plastic box?SteveTop AnswererAFCI (arc fault circuit interrupters) devices are installed in the electrical panel. GFI (ground fault interrupters) are available in a circuit breaker package (called a combo device - circuit overload and ground fault protection) and an outlet package. GFI is designed to protect people, not property or short circuits - except in the case of the combo device.
-
QuestionI have a circuit breaker sub-panel supplied through a 100-amp circuit breaker in the main panel. Can I replace the 100-amp breaker in the main panel with a 100-amp AFCI?Community AnswerSince AFCI protection is not required for circuits that supply more than 20 amps, it is unlikely that AFCI breakers larger than that will be made available by manufacturers.
-
QuestionIf, when changing ownership of an assisted living home, the code says to upgrade the service to current code, does that mean that AFCI's need to be installed?Community AnswerYes. If code is calling for a service upgrade, that will include all of the components of the attached panel, including breakers.
-
QuestionIs there a 30 amp GFI breaker?Community AnswerYes. You should be able to find 30 amp GFCI breakers in single pole and two pole.
-
QuestionDo circuit breakers need to be AFCI when upgrading a service?SteveTop AnswererThis is generally the case, yes. However, you should first check with the AHJ to be sure.
-
QuestionI'm replacing a main electrical service in a 40-unit building. The building is more than 100 years old with no ground. Do I need to change all the wiring to make arc fault breakers work?SteveTop AnswererThe AHJ is your guide here. In many places, it has been determined to be unreasonable to require that an existing installation (installed to then-current code regulations) be brought to current code standards when there is less than a 50% renovation.
-
QuestionI will have an AFCI breaker for a dishwasher, and people claim it to also have GFCI. Isn't it hard to get behind the dishwasher to reset the GFCI when required? Any other options?Community AnswerUse a dual-function breaker, it offers both AFCI and GFCI protection. You could also use an AFCI breaker and place a dead-front GFCI over the dishwasher above the counter.
-
QuestionI need to add some AFCIs in my service panel to pass a final inspection. If a circuit also requires a GFCI, can I add that as a receptacle?SteveTop AnswererYes. Install the AFCI breaker in the panel and replace the first receptacle with a GFCI type; be sure to land the supply wires on the line terminals and the wires that feed the downstream receptacles on the load terminals.
-
QuestionI have a 20A circuit with a refrigerator, computer and printer hooked up to it. It trips every time I'm printing. What 's wrong?Community AnswerYou may be overloading the circuit. A typical refrigerator uses approx 615 watts, a computer 300 watts, and a home use printer 50 watts.
-
QuestionDo I need to use AFCI on my kitchen ceiling lights?Top AnswererYes, if you are modifying or extending the existing circuit or installing a new one, or replacing a receptacle on that branch circuit, and it is 120 volts and either a 15- or 20-amp circuit, unless local rules have been modified. NEC(2017):210.12(A).
-
QuestionDoes a dishwasher require both gfci and afci circuits?Top AnswererYes, it requires AFCI protection for a "120-volt, 15- or 20-amp branch" serving "outlets or devices in dwelling unit kitchens" specified in NEC 210.12(A) and GFCI protection under NEC 210.8(D)., 2017 edition.
-
QuestionMicrowave is on the AFCI breaker and trips after about an hour when on idle. But it doesn't trip when used right after turning the breaker back on. What seems to be the problem?EronconeCommunity AnswerThis could be loose connections (panel, receptacle outlets at screw or back-stabbed), a foreign body penetrating the wiring (romex staple, nail, screw), faulty AFCI breaker, faulty appliance (microwave in your example). Like the GFCI, the AFCI has micro electronics on board that can go bad from excessive heat, current (indirect lightning strikes), floating service neutral (a leg exceeds 150v peak-to-peak). Consult your certified and bonded electrician for his/her expertise and skillset. Electricity is not the domain for a non-electrician handyman or DYI property owner.
-
QuestionI am adding framing, drywall, and electrical approx 8 outlets from a single run 12/2 20 amp breaker in my basement. Does the breaker need to be AFCI?Top AnswererYes, if it is going to be used in kitchens, family rooms, dining rooms, living rooms, parlors, libraries, dens, bedrooms, sunrooms, recreation rooms, closets, hallways, laundry areas, or similar rooms or areas.
-
QuestionIn upgrading an apartment panel in the state of Michigan, do all the breakers have to be the arc fault type?Top AnswererNot by the National Electrical Code, but your state or locals may adopt amendments that change it. The NEC only requires them on 15- or 20-A branches serving kitchens, family rooms, dining rooms, living rooms, parlors, libraries, dens, bedrooms, sunrooms, recreation rooms, closets, hallways, laundry areas, or similar rooms or areas.
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit