AFCI
RECEPTACLE
1
2
What is an arc fault?
What causes arc faults?
FAQs
UL® provides a definition for an arc fault in UL 1699 (Standard
for Safety Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters). It is an unintentional
arcing condition in a circuit. Arcing creates high-intensity
heating that can ignite surrounding material such as wood
framing or insulation.
LOAD
PARALLEL ARCING:
HOT TO NEUTRAL
LOAD
PARALLEL ARCING:
HOT TO GROUND
LOAD
SERIES ARCING:
BETWEEN ENDS OF
BROKEN CONDUCTOR
Arcing can occur when electrical wires are damaged or worn.
For instance:
• Insulation in cables can be severed if a staple is misapplied.
• A drill bit or nail can sever the insulation of cable inside a wall.
• Furniture pushed against the plug of an appliance cord can
stress conductors and damage insulation.
• Inappropriate use of extension cords. Placement of extension
cords under rugs or in a door jamb can result in damaged
conductors.
• Wear and tear of appliance power cords can eventually lead
to damaged conductors.
• Loose wire terminations.
AFCI RECEPTACLE FAQs
81066_LPS_AFCI_FAQ.indd 1
1/5/15 12:05 PM
3
What is an Arc Fault
Circuit Interrupter (AFCI)?
An Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI) protects against electrical
fires. UL defines an AFCI as a device intended to mitigate the
effects of arcing faults by functioning to de-energize the circuit
when an arc fault is detected.
4
What types of AFCIs
are available?
There are multiple types of AFCI available on the market:
OUTLET BRANCH-CIRCUIT AFCI—UL defines this as a device
intended to be installed as the first outlet in a branch circuit. It
is intended to provide protection to downstream branch-circuit
wiring, cord sets, and power-supply cords against the unwanted
effects of arcing. This device also provides protection to upstream
branch-circuit wiring. It is intended to be provided with or without
receptacle outlets.
BRANCH/FEEDER AFCI—A device intended to be installed at
the origin of a branch circuit or feeder, such as at a panelboard.
It is intended to provide protection of the branch-circuit wiring,
feeder wiring, or both against unwanted effects of arcing. This
device also provides limited protection to branch-circuit extension
wiring. It may be a circuit breaker–type device or a device in its
own enclosure mounted at or near a panelboard.
COMBINATION AFCI—An AFCI which complies with the requirements of both branch/feeder and outlet circuit AFCIs. It is intended to protect downstream branch-circuit wiring and cord sets and
power supply cords.
Legrand offers a Pass & Seymour® Outlet Branch-Circuit
AFCI Receptacle.
5
What requirements are
in the National Electrical
Code® (NEC®) for AFCI
Receptacles?
The following describes the means of providing arc-fault
protection with an Outlet Branch-Circuit AFCI Receptacle.
Please refer to the NEC for more information on other methods
of AFCI protection.
Section 210.12 of the 2014 NEC 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 20ampere 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.
AFCI RECEPTACLE FAQs
81066_LPS_AFCI_FAQ.indd 2
1/5/15 12:05 PM
DORMITORY UNITS — All 120-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20ampere 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).
■ It is permissible to meet this requirement if RMC, IMC, EMT
conduit, Type MC or steel-armored Type AC cables 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.
2014 NEC 210.12
Figure 1
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 (see
Figure—
1). Dormitory
(A)
Dwelling
Units
AFCI protection required on bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens (new) and other circuits.
PANELBOARD
CONTINUED DOWNSTREAM
BRANCH-CIRCUIT PROTECTION
HOME RUN: INSTALLED WITH RMC,
IMC, EMT, TYPE MC, STEEL-ARMORED
TYPE AC CABLES OR NONMETALLIC
CONDUIT IF ENCASED IN CONCRETE
AFCI AT FIRST OUTLET
IN THE BRANCH CIRCUIT
AFCI PROTECTION
DOWNSTREAM VIA
FEED-THROUGH
AFCI RECEPTACLE FAQs
81066_LPS_AFCI_FAQ.indd 3
1/5/15 12:05 PM
■ 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 branch-circuit
overcurrent protective device where all of the following
conditions are met (see Figure 2):
a. T
he branch-circuit wiring shall be continuous from the branchcircuit overcurrent device to the outlet branch-circuit AFCI.
b. The maximum length of the branch-circuit wiring from the branchcircuit 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. T
he first outlet box in the branch circuit shall be marked to indicate
that is the first outlet of the circuit.
d. T
he 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.
2014 NEC 210.12 (A) Dwelling Units
Figureprotection
2
AFCI
required on bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens (new) and other circuits.
PANELBOARD
STANDARD
CIRCUIT BREAKER
LISTED FOR USE
WITH AN OUTLET
BRANCH-CIRCUIT
AFCI RECEPTACLE
MAXIMUM LENGTH OF HOME
RUN IS 50 FEET (14 AWG)
AND 70 FEET (12 AWG).
CONTINUED DOWNSTREAM
BRANCH-CIRCUIT PROTECTION
AFCI AT FIRST OUTLET
IN THE BRANCH CIRCUIT
AFCI PROTECTION
DOWNSTREAM VIA
FEED-THROUGH
AFCI RECEPTACLE FAQs
81066_LPS_AFCI_FAQ.indd 4
1/5/15 12:05 PM
BRANCH-CIRCUIT EXTENSIONS OR MODIFICATIONS —
DWELLING UNITS — When branch-circuit wiring is modified,
replaced or extended, the branch circuit shall be protected by
one of the following (see Figure 3):
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
2014 NEC 210.12 (B)
receptacleor
outlet
of the existing branch
circuit. Units
Branch Circuit Extensions
Modifications
— Dwelling
Figureprotection
3
AFCI
required on bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens (new) and other circuits.
PANELBOARD
OVERCURRENT
PROTECTION
DEVICES
CONTINUED DOWNSTREAM
BRANCH-CIRCUIT PROTECTION
AFCI AT FIRST OUTLET
IN THE BRANCH CIRCUIT
AFCI PROTECTION
DOWNSTREAM VIA
FEED-THROUGH
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 (see Figure 4):
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
AFCI RECEPTACLE FAQs
81066_LPS_AFCI_FAQ.indd 5
1/5/15 12:05 PM
2014 NEC 406.4 (D) (4) REPLACEMENT RECEPTACLES
Figure
4
AFCI
protection
required on bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens (new) and other circuits.
PANELBOARD
OVERCURRENT
PROTECTION
DEVICES
CONTINUED DOWNSTREAM
BRANCH-CIRCUIT PROTECTION
REPLACE RECEPTACLE
WITH AFCI RECEPTACLE
6
What are some of the
benefits to using an AFCI
Receptacle instead of
an AFCI breaker?
AFCI PROTECTION
DOWNSTREAM VIA
FEED-THROUGH
AFCI Receptacles provide a much more 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, which 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 costeffective alternative when a breaker box is full or there is
no matching AFCI Receptacle for a brand of breaker box.
AFCI RECEPTACLE FAQs
81066_LPS_AFCI_FAQ.indd 6
1/5/15 12:05 PM
7
8
What is the difference
between an AFCI and
a GFCI?
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI) protect people
from serious injury due to electrical shock. Arc Fault Circuit
Interrupters (AFCI) protect against electrical fires.
Can an AFCI and a GFCI be
used on the same circuit?
Yes, an AFCI can be used on the same circuit as a GFCI.
The sources for this FAQ are:
• 2011 National Electrical Code
• 2014 National Electrical Code
• UL 1699 Standard for Safety Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupters
©2015 Legrand MM1840 All Rights Reserved 01/15 EMA
• NEMA
Electrical Wiring Systems
P.O. Box 4822
Syracuse, NY 13221-4822
800.776.4035
www.legrand.us/PassandSeymour
AFCI RECEPTACLE FAQs
81066_LPS_AFCI_FAQ.indd 7
570 Applewood Crescent
Vaughan, Ontario L4K 4B4
905.738.9195
www.legrand.ca
FOLLOW US
1/5/15 12:05 PM