Talk:Arc-fault circuit interrupter: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 21:27, 7 December 2014

Revision as of 01:41, 2 January 2015

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==Safety - but at what cost? ==

Just to note that AFCI and GFCI breakers are much more expensive than regular breakers. If I were to follow the NEC code (NFPA-70), over half the breakers in my 20 year old house would need to be replaced with AFCI's, which cost 5x more than conventional circuit breakers and might also be prone to false arc events. For my house, that would cost a minimum of $600 in materials alone. Section 210.12 of the 2014 NEC (regarding AFCI's) states: ''"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..."'' Plus I don't get an insurance discount for upgrading to AFCI's, and AFCI dual-breakers at 15- and 20-amp are not available to match my electrical box, so I would need to add a sub-panel too. At one time, NFPA was pushing to have new houses have sprinkler systems installed throughout the house too. Mandates like use of AFCI's don't offer much opportunity for [[risk management]]. To be compliant, the price must be paid, and I am bothered that the price is high and the benefits seem low to me, considering that I already have circuit breaker protection of all branch circuits, and GFCI's at required locations, as well has smoke detectors and three ABC fire extinguishers. There is plenty of opportunity to debate the merits of AFCI's, but the mandate is IMO a hardship. I also suspect there may be cheaper techniques for preventing Arc Faults or their effects, than preventing them.

[[Special:Contributions/71.10.145.225|71.10.145.225]] ([[User talk:71.10.145.225|talk]]) 15:48, 15 November 2014 (UTC)