Where and Why Do We Need AFCI Protection?

Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters are relatively newer technology. And at the pace the electrical industry is changing and adapting, there may be confusion on WHAT AFCI is and WHERE we need to place them. In the latest episode of Electrician U, Dustin demystifies AFCI’s.

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Before we get into WHERE AFCI’s are required let’s talk a bit about WHAT an AFCI does. An AFCI device detects both types of arcs that an electrical circuit can provide and interrupts the circuit (much like a GFCI breaker does) protecting it from the harmful effects of said arc. A SERIES arc fault is where the wires are broken (or cut) and there is an arc from one side of the wire to the next (in series with one another). A PARALLEL arc fault is where a hot and a neutral wire are not quite directly shorting out, but rather arcing between themselves. The technology for combating these types of arcs is located in the protecting device itself and can sense which type of ARC is present and protect the circuit accordingly.
Devices to protect against Arc Faults come in the same forms as GFCI devices. You can get them in breakers or devices. Breakers protect the ENTIRE circuit, while the devices protect anything downstream from the device. Breakers also come in a C AFCI flavor, which is a combination breaker capable of protecting against both series arcs and parallel arcs. The technology we have today allows us to also have DUAL FUNCTION breakers, which protect against Arc Faults AND Ground Faults.
Article 210.12 of the National Electrical Code is the section that governs AFCI protection. For the most part, AFCI protection is required for most residential applications. As stated before, the protection can come in the form of a breaker or a device in the wall, may require different types of wiring methods, and must be installed in a readily accessible location (just like GFCI’s). Worth mentioning is the requirement for CIRCUIT protection. Whereas GFCI protection typically covers the DEVICE, AFCI protection is designed to protect the CIRCUIT, not just the device. For dwelling units (210.12B), AFCI is required in Kitchens, Family Rooms, Dining Rooms, Living Rooms, Parlors, Libraries, Dens, Bedrooms, Sunrooms, Recreation Rooms, Closets, Hallways, Laundry Areas, and Similar Rooms/Areas. In essence, it is the ENTIRE house, with the exception of bathrooms, garages, and the exterior of the home. 210.12C covers dormitory units (same general dwelling unit categories, just in a smaller footprint) and 210.12D covers other occupancies (guest rooms of hotels/motels, sleeping rooms of nursing homes, and sleeping quarters of first responder type stations). Basically, any place where a person could be living/sleeping needs to have AFCI protection.
There are a couple of exceptions in dwelling units where circuits in one of the above-mentioned areas do not need AFCI protection. These are for circuits supplying a fire alarm system (although it requires the circuit to be in some form of metal raceway) and for circuits supplying an outlet for arc welding equipment (although this exception is currently only until January 1st, 2025) as this by nature is an arc making machine!!
As always, make sure you are referencing the latest edition of the NEC, as the code is constantly evolving between code cycles as technology/installation methods/types of equipment/materials are changing rapidly!