Questions tagged [afci]
Arc-fault circuit interrupter are safety switches, similar to GFCI, that are used to detect electrical arcing and shutoff power to prevent the risk of fire.
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AFCI trips on (microwave | laser printer) + bathroom led lights
Initial state: two BX (old metallic-sheathed cable) arrived at one outlet box on the second floor. They are sourced from a pair of 15 amp breakers tied together as an MWBC at the panel. Apparently, ...
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Splitting Standard Outlet with 2 different hot wires (light switch and normal) and shared neutral into 2 double outlets
I am trying to hide some cables that power some Leds strips on my countertop and my living room lamp.
This is the countertop bar that separates my kitchen from the living room.
Currently, there is a ...
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Refrigerator on its own circuit (non-AFCI) is triggering a separate AFCI circuit breaker
I have been dealing with a phantom AFCI breaker trigger for the better part of a year. The circuit controls bathroom fans and lights for part of my home. For the last year, at some random interval, ...
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20 amp Circuit breaker GFCI and CAFCI
I'm confused on usage of these 2 breakers on a 20 amp circuit for outlets. All outlets are inside of house except kitchen and bathroom but few are located in a crawlspace also. Which one would be more ...
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Which kitchenette breakers need to be AFCI?
I'm adding a kitchenette to my basement and am in WA state. My plan right now is to run one 20 amp circuit for the fridge, two 20 amp circuits with GFCI outlets above the counters, one 50 amp circuit ...
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120v AFCI breakers tripping due to lost 240v leg in same panel
I had a weird electrical problem and found the fix, but I'd love to understand the mechanism by which this happened. Disclaimer: I'm not an electrician, buyer beware, etc.
The symptom I had was 3 ...
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Radio transmitter nuisance tripping AFCIs
I've got a DC powered ham radio in a spare bedroom converted to an office, with a coax feedline running up to an antenna up in my attic near the ridge. About six months ago, I upgraded my feedline to ...
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Dual function circuit tests OK, but breaker trips
I just powered up the (dual function, 20A Siemens) circuit for my new laundry room, which is on a new subpanel. The circuit tests fine with my trusty 3-prong, 3-light tester. But whenever I plug ...
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When to NOT use an afci breaker
I'm heading a bunch of renovation done on an old house (1950), and part of the work is rewiring. New panel going in, new NM cable, etc. I should mention this is a pretty small house with no garage, ...
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What are the versions of AFCI?
Leviton had an AFCI that said "AFCI 2.0" and one now says "AFCI 3.0". Any idea what the difference is?
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Old two-wire house-- AFCI or GFCI possible?
1940s era house with two-wire electrical. I'd like to install AFCI/GFCI throughout the house for fire-protection and for the third prong.
-> Kitchen and bathroom already have GFCI outlets.
-> ...
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Should we go for AFCI when we have Circuit breaker
I know circuit breaker trips the electric supply when there's overcurrent such as short circuit.
ARC Fault leads to overcurrent so IMO circuit breakers are enough and AFCI(Arc Fault Circuit ...
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Power consumption of GFCI+CAFCI combo breaker (Siemens Q115DFN)
Has anyone measured the power consumption of this breaker or a similar one?
on the internet one can find horror stories of 1W+ for such breakers but no quantitative data. Data sheet does not mention ...
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Is handle-tying two 15A CACFI/GFCI breakers for MWBC allowed?
I have an old MWBC and I'd like to protect the circuits with GFCI and CACFI (they are general purpose 15A circuits and include receptacles and lights). Note, currently they just have their own 15A ...
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Arc fault protection for a 15A MWBC?
My 1993 home in WA state has a MWBC for the upstairs bedroom circuits, currently fed by a 2-pole 15A breaker (HOM215CP). This is probably no longer allowed for new constructions but it is what it is.
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Receptacle arcing while AFCI breaker stays silent
A friend of mine had a receptacle on an outdoor circuit clearly arcing whenever he put a load (pressure washer) on a downstream receptacle of that circuit, to the point that you could visually see a ...
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Square D Homeline AFCI breakers trip for all appliances
I'm trying to install AFCI breakers on my kitchen SABCs (2x 20A circuits), in my Square D Homeline panel. Unfortunately, the breakers trip whenever I try to do anything useful on those circuits.
I've ...
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AFCI required for fridge dedicated circuit?
My new Samsung fridge is currently on one of my kitchen's two 20A circuits, which I'm trying to bring up to code prior to inspection. This previously caused problems with GFCI on that circuit (see ...
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What options for CAFCI AND GFCI on high-current 240V circuits?
I've been reading up on NEC 2023 - and possibly misunderstanding, and the 2023 doesn't apply to my area anyway (...yet). My current reading of 210.12 suggests that NO 240v circuits require AFCI: is ...
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GFCI and AFCI for a MWBC used for Dishwasher + Garbage disposal
I've seen a few similar questions but each has a small difference that makes the answers there irrelevant for me.
Background
I just finished a kitchen remodel, including redoing much of the kitchen ...
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AFCI Breakers & Panel Upgrades
We are having our electrical service upgraded (from 100A to 200A) to support EV charging and to allow the installation of solar panels. As part of the upgrade the panel is also being relocated to the ...
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New AFCI/GFCI instantly trips when installed downstream from a GFCI - no obvious reasons
House is an older home from the 1890's, the wiring has all been replaced over the years, new panels, all that, but often decades apart so there are many generations of electrical all hooked together, ...
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Is this a reasonable process for electrical troubleshooting and upgrade?
My dad lives in a home built in 1956 here in Maryland. The only upgrades to his electric has been having the fuse box converted to breakers back in the 90s.
He hit the light switch today and it ...
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GFCI and AFCI outlet on circuit with refrigerator ....tripping after 6-8 hours after reset
Initially had a freezer and refrigerator freezer in garage on GFCI circuit, no problems for years. Then the freezer went out and the gfci circuit outlet was apparently damaged (and was 20 years old ...
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Does a laundry room circuit need GFCI protection?
I want to update the wiring in my laundry room but get confused about the requirements for this designated circuit. As I understand, Arc Fault protection breakers (AFCI) are now required for laundry ...
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MWBC and double pole breaker amp allowance
i have 2 single pole 15 amp 120v circuit breakers with a shared neutral. i would like to replace the 2 single pole breakers with a 15 amp double pole afci breaker. will the double pole breaker protect ...
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Testing outlet for grounding caused breaker to trip
I searched the forum and could not find something similar. Apologies if this has already been asked.
I was watching YouTube videos explaining how to test outlets and in the videos testing Hot to ...
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Replacing breaker with GFCI/AFCI causes trip
As part of my basement finish, I need to replace a breaker with a AFCI.
This circuit currently services the new bedroom (outlets already there) and an outlet outside. One of the outlets is already ...
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CAFCI breaker - found loose pigtail to neutral connection
I just had outlet added last week and breaker upgraded to CAFCI
The electrician forgot to place back the metering clamp for home automation on the circuit, so I went back and I was putting it back, I ...
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What type of old cable is fed into this outlet, and what is the bare copper if the junction box doesn't seem to be grounded?
I have a groundless outlet that I'm attempting to add a ground to. The breaker that this circuit is tied to is a one pole AFCI, and it seems this is the only outlet on the circuit for the time being. (...
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Multiwire Branch Outlet GFCI/AFCI breaker need but no product
I have a multiwire branch circuit (MWBC) connecting my dishwasher and disposal that connects to a Cutler-Hammer (using Eaton breakers) panel. After a renovation, an inspector told me I need the ...
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Klein RT210 GFCI tester not triggering AFCI breaker
My question is should a GGCI tester work on AFCI breaker?
Background:
I have a KLEIN RT210 tester with an Eaton AFCI breaker and when test a plug the lights tell me that it is wired correctly, however,...
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Does a 1/2" GE-type Combo AFCI circuit breaker exist?
I've found 1" (THQL?) GE-type CAFCI breakers in stock, but can't find the GE-type CAFCI breakers in the slimmer 1/2" size (THQP?) for sale anywhere, not even out of stock listings. Do they ...
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Question about AFCI breakers
I wanted to change my breakers to AFCI, but don’t know if it possible. I have 4 20 amp circuits running to my kitchen. The wiring is 12-3, but this is where it gets weird for a DIYer, like myself. One ...
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Can I use AFCI/GFCI outdoors
I am getting ready to install a 20 amp breaker powering my outdoor lights, outlets, and some shed outlets.
I am most likely going to just have the breaker be a GFCI breaker to have the entire outdoor ...
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Which circuit breakers should I purchase: Standard, AFCI, GFCI, Dual Function (AFCI/GFCI)
I understand the need to have GFCI outlets in areas such as the kitchen and bathrooms, but when I was upgrading my electrical panel, I saw there are multiple options for circuit breakers.
The ...
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Dual Function AFCI/GFCI breakers trip under any load
This is a new subpanel in a workshop and the electrician told me because it's new all circuits have to be AFCI and because it's an outbuilding it should be GFCI too.
So, I purchased these breakers in ...
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How do I check ground on incoming power
I have a unique problem, three dual function breakers trip at the same time with a ground fault indication. This mainly happens while asleep or if it happens during the day, I'm of course at work. ...
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Can an outlet connected to another outlet using pigtail and the connected to afci outlet
I already have an outlet circuit connected to an AFCI outlet, just before the electrical box. Is it up to code to add another regular outlet by pig-tailing just before the AFCI outlet and connecting ...
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Do Dual Function AFCI / GFCI Receptacles Meet NEC Requirements For AFCI Protection?
I have run out of room in my breaker panel, so I'm looking to double up with a tandem breaker. The problem is, it seems there are no AFCI tandem breakers, but I found these dual function AFCI / GFCI ...
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Installing an AFCI circuit breaker - any easy way to find a hot wire's corresponding neutral wire?
I'm trying to replace a regular 20A circuit breaker with an AFCI circuit breaker. I understand an AFCI circuit breaker requires both hot and neutral wires. I assume I need to connect the hot and ...
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Circuit with GFCI/CAFGI breaker trips on a branch that turns off
Scenario: GFCI/CAFGI circuit with a branch that is set up as: breaker then switch then light 1 then light 2. Light 1 has a socket on it already. Switch is in a box that contains switches for all the ...
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Will a combination AFCI mitigate all safety risks imposed by K&T?
I know that properly working and regularly tested AFCI breakers are great for safety. But do they mitigate all safety risks imposed by knob-and-tube? If not, what safety risks remain?
For reference: ...
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How to wire two GFCI to one split circuit basic receptacle for dishwasher and disposal
How do I wire two GFCI receptacles with two separate circuit with a common neutral for dishwasher and disposal. I only have a 12/3 load wire and there is no way I can run another neutral.The kitchen ...
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Where are the two pole CAFCI/GFCI breakers?
Why aren't there very many (any?) two pole dual function breakers?
Is a GFCI + CAFCI breaker less useful for 220 or MWBC? Is it be prohibitively expensive? Or is there no demand because not many want ...
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What could have caused my power outlet to melt when it's on an AFCI circuit?
I had an outlet that had plastic socket covers inserted for child-proofing. Recently I tried to removed the top cover and noticed that was quite stuck. When I eventually forcing it out, I saw burn ...
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Are GFCI receptacles required on circuits (eg bathrooms or outdoor receptacles) already protected by AFCI circuit breaker in main electrical panel?
New home build in Canada. Most wiring is protected via AFCI breakers in main electrical panel (EP). One out of 6 outdoor sockets is a GFCI socket - remaining 5 are normal sockets wired to AFCI ...
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Looking for some guidance on knob and tube
I have recently moved into a 1920s apartment in Chicago. My landlord has only owned the building for a few years and does not know the details of the electrical system. I have some electrical devices ...
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Is there a problem with using a dual function breaker when a CAFCI would suffice?
I am upgrading a handful of breakers - a couple of circuits with lighting need CAFCI and two with outlets need GFCI (I am going with dual function breakers rather than GFCI outlets).
I have two ...
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CAFI Breaker Randomly Trips
I have a new CAFI breaker in a Square D Sub-Panel (older panel - T5 Series, 24 slots, but new installation of breakers and wires due to renovation work, whole cottage re-wired). I did the rough and ...
