I thought about posting this in tha Arc-Fault section but I figured that it is more code related. here goes.
Would a panel Installed within a dwelling unit bedroom, (behind a door or something) require all circuits originating from that panel to be arc-fault protected?
On one hand the intent is to have "a listed device that protects the entire branch circuit". All branch circuits that serve this dwelling unit would originate IN a bedroom and therefore should be protected via arc-fault protective devices.
On the other hand the wording is "OUTLETS installed IN dwelling unit bedrooms". If these other branch circuits supply OUTLETS in other rooms, then you would not need to consider arc-fault protection of any branch circuits for other than the bedrooms.
One other thing to consider. If the code defines an outlet as: "a point on the wiring system at which current is taken to supply utilization equipment" Then couldn't a circuit breaker installed in a dwelling unit bedroom be considered an outlet?
what happens at the overcurrent device? is it not... "a point on the wiring system at which current is taken to supply utilization equipment".
I guess the argument against the circuit breaker being considered an "OUTLET" would be that you would never connect anything directly to the circuit breaker terminal and therefore would always have to have some Branch Circuit Wiring.
I am confused or in other words I would not take the chance of installing a panel within a dwelling unit bedroom.
Thoughts????
Would a panel Installed within a dwelling unit bedroom, (behind a door or something) require all circuits originating from that panel to be arc-fault protected?
On one hand the intent is to have "a listed device that protects the entire branch circuit". All branch circuits that serve this dwelling unit would originate IN a bedroom and therefore should be protected via arc-fault protective devices.
On the other hand the wording is "OUTLETS installed IN dwelling unit bedrooms". If these other branch circuits supply OUTLETS in other rooms, then you would not need to consider arc-fault protection of any branch circuits for other than the bedrooms.
One other thing to consider. If the code defines an outlet as: "a point on the wiring system at which current is taken to supply utilization equipment" Then couldn't a circuit breaker installed in a dwelling unit bedroom be considered an outlet?
what happens at the overcurrent device? is it not... "a point on the wiring system at which current is taken to supply utilization equipment".
I guess the argument against the circuit breaker being considered an "OUTLET" would be that you would never connect anything directly to the circuit breaker terminal and therefore would always have to have some Branch Circuit Wiring.
I am confused or in other words I would not take the chance of installing a panel within a dwelling unit bedroom.
Thoughts????
