Arc-fault kitchens

[Nietz001]

Article 210.12 (A) does not mention installing arc fault protection in kitchens, can one assume this is the only room where arc fault is not required?
Jeff

 

[raider1]

Nope don't assume that.

The 2011 NEC 210.12(A) has a list of areas that require AFCI protection, Kitchens, Laundry rooms, Bathrooms, Garages, Outdoor receptacles and lights, Unfinished Basements ETC.. are not listed in 210.12(A) and do not require AFCI protection.

Now the 2014 NEC will be expanded to include Kitchens and Laundry rooms.

Chris

 

[chicar]

What they need to do before they include any more rooms is to make sure they work right.

 

[GoldDigger]

What they need to do before they include any more rooms is to make sure they work right.

The rooms or the AFCIs?
More seriously, every time they add a type of room they add more types of loads (both fixed and portable) that have to be tolerated by the signature detector.

 

[raider1]

What they need to do before they include any more rooms is to make sure they work right.

What do you mean by "Work Right"?

Most of the "nuisance" tripping issues I have encountered are due to wiring errors. Accidental neutral to ground connections downstream of the device are the main culprit. There is also an issue with RF, there are some switching devices and other appliances that produce RF signatures that the AFCI breakers interpret as an "Arc Fault". The manufactures are trying to update the algorithms used for the AFCI breakers to eliminate RF issues but they need people to register there issues HERE.

Now if you want to argue if they perform as advertised that is a different story.

Chris

 

[James S.]

When they first showed up there were plenty of problems with them but now not so much. The last real problem I heard was with treadmills tripping them. But I haven't even heard of that in a year or so. I wish they could have done more testing in labs then in people's homes but it is what it is.

 

[Steviechia2]

When they first showed up there were plenty of problems with them but now not so much. The last real problem I heard was with treadmills tripping them. But I haven't even heard of that in a year or so. I wish they could have done more testing in labs then in people's homes but it is what it is.

Yes treadmills and vacuum's, some flatscreen tv's. Not sure what a frig or small appliances will do when they are required in kitchens?