Arc fault circuit breakers

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Can you share the neutral wire on a 3-wire home-run protected by 2 separate arc fault circuit breakers for two bedroom circuits? Might this cause nuisance tripping?
 

bark

Member
Location
Washington
Re: Arc fault circuit breakers

I'm having trouble with a arc fault breaker. After checking the entire circuit, it still trips like a dead short. All grounds are separated from the nuetrals in all of the devices. I've managed to keep the circuit energized until it gets to the tail end where some keyless pullchain fixtures are. If I turn those fixtures on the breaker trips as if it were a dead short. Also, will a dimmer switch trip a arc fault? Thanks
 

George Stolz

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Windsor, CO NEC: 2017
Occupation
Service Manager
Re: Arc fault circuit breakers

You took the grounding clip out of the box on the keylesses, right? :D

Bad bulbs can do it.

As for dimmers, they could, but I haven't dealt with that problem myself.
 

luke warmwater

Senior Member
Re: Arc fault circuit breakers

Originally posted by georgestolz:
...And I bet you it costs twice as much as two arc fault breakers? (Honest question.) :)
Commonly I would say 'yes'.

Depending on who you are and where you buy them, the 2-pole could be less or more than twice as much as (2) single poles. :D
 

active1

Senior Member
Location
Las Vegas
Re: Arc fault circuit breakers

A 2 pole ark fault seems like a great idea but may be a nightmare if you have nuisance tripping.

"Can you share the neutral wire on a 3-wire home-run protected by 2 separate arc fault circuit breakers for two bedroom circuits? Might this cause nuisance tripping? "

I would not call it nuisance tripping. It would be more instant tripping (once there is any load on the circuits).

Tom
 

massivek

Member
Re: Arc fault circuit breakers

Is there a solution if you would like to install these in an exsiting residence with a 3-wire home run? thanks
 

al hildenbrand

Senior Member
Location
Minnesota
Occupation
Electrical Contractor, Electrical Consultant, Electrical Engineer
Re: Arc fault circuit breakers

There are very few choices for two pole AFCIs. If the installed panel is of different manufacture, a subpanel will have to be installed and the multiwire homerun that one wants to protect will have to be routed to it.
 
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