• CHRISTIAN BUILDING INSPECTORS, INC., 3697 HABERSHAM LANE, DULUTH, GEORGIA 30096, 770-849-0920 • APRIL 2015 •
Q&A
Electrical Fires Rank as One of
the Top Safety Hazards in Homes
With electrical fires ranking as one of the top safety hazards in
homes, it's good to know that homeowners are now on the
radar when it comes to arc-fault protection to help reduce the
likelihood of their electrical system being the cause of a fire.
Requirements for residential arc-fault protection were first
introduced in the 1999 National Electrical Code® (NEC®)
cycle, but have been expanded in every code cycle since. The
2014 NEC is the most inclusive to date, mandating AFCI
protection in residences in the following locations:
which is normally safe, and "dangerous" arcing. Below are a
few typical examples of each, which you can use to educate
residents during an inspection.
Low-Energy/Operational Arcs - Typically Safe
• Naturally occur when contact or switch opens/ closes
• When a motor with brushes runs
• Generated by household appliances such as refrigerators, air
conditioners, tools or fans
High-Energy/Hazardous Arcs - Potentially Dangerous
• Should not occur or should be safely contained
• When insulation on a wire has been damaged
• Loose connections that expose wire
• Loose connections where wires separate, causing an arc to
jump from one place to another
Kitchens • Family Rooms • Dining Rooms
Living Rooms • Parlors • Libraries
Dens • Bedrooms • Sunrooms • Closets
• Hallways • Laundry Areas • Recreation Rooms
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It is important to note that the 2011 Code requires that AFCI
protection be added when changing/replacing a receptacle in
an "AFCI" location. Even if the geographical area you service
is not currently on the 2014 Code, it is advisable to encourage
homeowners to add AFCI protection, especially in older
homes where there is a higher likelihood of an electrical fire.
This will not only save time and money in the future but, more
importantly, will provide a safer living environment for their
family today.
There are two ways to incorporate AFCI protection into an
electrical system: AFCI Circuit Breakers or Outlet Branch
Circuit (OBC) AFCI Receptacles. OBC AFCI Receptacles are
fairly new to the market but offer a sensible alternative to
AFCI Circuit Breakers, particularly because they provide the
benefit of localized TEST and RESET buttons on the face of
the device. This makes them convenient for homeowners to
respond to if the device trips.
OBC AFCI Receptacles are designed to help prevent electrical
fires that can be caused by potentially dangerous arc-faults in
an electrical circuit. These devices contain electronic
components that constantly monitor a circuit for the presence
of "normal" and "dangerous" arcing conditions. Based upon an
established threshold of arc energy, the OBC AFCI can be
triggered to quickly react and cut power to a circuit if
"dangerous" arcing is detected. It is important for residents of
a home to understand the difference between "normal" arcing,
When installed as the first outlet on a branch circuit, OBC
AFCI Receptacles provide series arc protection for the entire
branch circuit. They also provide parallel arc protection for the
branch circuit starting at the OBC AFCI receptacle. OBC
AFCI Receptacles may be used on any wiring system
regardless of the panel and are ideal for older homes, which
often have electrical panels that are not compatible with AFCI
breakers.
OBC AFCI Devices are available in a number of different
models to satisfy a range of applications.
AFCI Receptacle
OBC AFCI Receptacles address the dangers associated with
both types of potentially hazardous arcing - parallel and series
arcing. They provide feed-through protection and are able to
detect downstream parallel and series arc-faults as well as
upstream series arc-faults. Utilizing an AFCI receptacle offers
homeowners the benefit of localized TEST and RESET.
Applications include installation in living rooms, dining
rooms, family rooms, bedrooms, parlors, dens, libraries,
sunrooms, recreation rooms, closets, hallways, dormitories or
similar areas.
Blank Face AFCI
The Blank Face AFCI offers the ideal
solution for outlet branch circuits where
AFCI protection is desired, but located
where a receptacle is not needed. This type
of application could include installing a
Blank Face AFCI in a location to make
AFCI protection readily accessible per the
2014 National Electrical Code. A Blank
Face AFCI may
also be used on
circuits
feeding
lighting
loads
and/or other loads
such as smoke detectors where a
receptacle is not used.
Combination AFCI/Switch
A Combination AFCI/Switch provides
AFCI protection, plus the convenience
of a single-pole switch to control the
lights. This combination is ideal for kitchens, family rooms,
bedrooms, dining rooms and hallways. The AFCI Switch may
be used for new circuits or modifications to existing circuits
where a switch is the first outlet on a branch circuit.
Source: Leviton Manufacturing
If you have a question, comment, or home tip, send your letter to
Home Tips, Christian Building Inspectors, Inc., 3697 Habersham Lane,
Duluth, Georgia 30096. You can email your questions to us at
rod@cbiga.com.
We reserve the right to edit questions for length.
Quote Of The Month
“AMERICA IS NOT LIKE A BLANKET – ONE
PIECE OF UNBROKEN CLOTH.
AMERICA IS MORE LIKE A QUILT – MANY
PATCHES, MANY PIECES, MANY COLORS,
MANY SIZES, ALL WOVEN TOGETHER BY A
COMMON THREAD.”
- REV. JESSE L. JACKSON
Michele Michalec
Re/Max All Properties
566 Peachtree Parkway, Suite 120
Cumming, Georgia 30041
678-315-1917
Thank You
CHRISTIAN BUILDING INSPECTORS, INC. • Member: ASHI, GAHI, ICC •
• International Code Council Residential Combination Inspector No. 5185008-R5 •
• Fully Insured With Errors & Omissions and Liability Insurance •
• Office: 1-888-257-0365 or 770-849-0920, Fax 770-849-0540, Cell 404-697-4129 •
• Web Page: http://www.christianbuildinginspectors.com, Email: rod@cbiga.com •
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CHRISTIAN BUILDING INSPECTORS, INC. 3697 HABERSHAM LANE, DULUTH, GEORGIA 30096, OFFICE 770-849-0920, 1-888-257-0365