just stumbled onto this site and crossing my fingers that someone will be able to help.

My problem is the tripping of an AFCI every 3/5 weeks when a 2nd TV is turned on. Sometimes soon afterwards, other times 10/30 minutes later. Besides the two flat screen TVs (one in family room & one in master bedroom) my laptop seems to be another common dominator as problem doesn’t seem to happen if laptop is either unplugged or not in use. On first trip after measuring load and ruling that out, the electrician rewired all switches and outlets from backstabs to screw connections. Problem continued and we had the one circuit split into two.

However that didn't fix the problem either and I believe laptop is the trigger (even though since this started I have replaced both, the power cord and laptop itself). Family room AFCI still tripped upon occasion when family room TV was on and laptop was plugged in but bedroom TV was off. After that happened I ran a cord to plug laptop into bedroom circuit and now the bedroom’s AFCI trips every now and then.

Questions:

1. does code (I live in Orange county FL) require the family room to be on a AFCI?
2. Is there a “filter” that would block any possible electrical surge or whatever the laptop could be creating?
3. Any other thoughts?
   Thanks – Roy

just stumbled onto this site and crossing my fingers that someone will be able to help.

My problem is the tripping of an AFCI every 3/5 weeks when a 2nd TV is turned on. Sometimes soon afterwards, other times 10/30 minutes later. Besides the two flat screen TVs (one in family room & one in master bedroom) my laptop seems to be another common dominator as problem doesn’t seem to happen if laptop is either unplugged or not in use. On first trip after measuring load and ruling that out, the electrician rewired all switches and outlets from backstabs to screw connections. Problem continued and we had the one circuit split into two.

However that didn't fix the problem either and I believe laptop is the trigger (even though since this started I have replaced both, the power cord and laptop itself). Family room AFCI still tripped upon occasion when family room TV was on and laptop was plugged in but bedroom TV was off. After that happened I ran a cord to plug laptop into bedroom circuit and now the bedroom’s AFCI trips every now and then.

Questions:

1. does code (I live in Orange county FL) require the family room to be on a AFCI?
2. Is there a “filter” that would block any possible electrical surge or whatever the laptop could be creating?
3. Any other thoughts?