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The latest National Electrical Code requires both AFCI and GFCI protection only in kitchens and laundry rooms. And within those rooms, the Dual Function AFCI/GFCI Receptacle provides what is called “feed-through” protection, which means it provides protection for all wiring and extensions attached to the load side.
Where are arc fault breakers required 2020?
In the 2020 edition of the NEC®, Section 210.12 requires that for dwelling units, all 120-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-ampere branch circuits supplying outlets or devices installed in dwelling unit kitchens, family rooms, dining rooms, living rooms, parlors, libraries, dens, bedrooms, sunrooms, recreation rooms,.
Where do AFCI outlets need to be installed?
AFCI outlets are recommended for the following locations in a house: family rooms, dining rooms, dens, bedrooms, closets, hallways, recreation rooms, sunrooms.
Does refrigerator need AFCI?
Refrigerator Circuit A modern refrigerator requires a dedicated 20-amp circuit. This circuit usually does not require GFCI protection unless the outlet is within 6 feet of a sink or located in a garage or basement, but it generally does require AFCI protection.
Where do I need GFCI breakers?
GFCI receptacles are required in bathrooms, garages, crawl spaces, basements, laundry rooms and areas where a water source is present.
Are arc fault breakers required in garage?
The 2017 National Electrical Code (NEC) requires the protection of an arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) for 15 and 20 amp circuits in all newly built residential areas, but they are not needed in bathrooms, garages, or outdoor areas.
What rooms require arc fault breakers?
AFCI current requirements in the NEC 2020 code: Finished basements. Bedrooms. Common rooms. Hallways and closets. Kitchens. Laundry areas.
Can I put an AFCI anywhere into the circuit?
AFCIs (Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters) can be used anywhere but the Bathroom and Kitchen. Bill talks about this more in the video tutorial. The installation of an AFCI is very similar to a GFCI. After watching Bill in action you’ll be able to install an AFCI in 10 minutes.
Can I use GFCI everywhere?
The NEC requires GFCIs on all exterior and bathroom receptacles (another term for outlets). GFCIs are also required on all receptacles serving kitchen countertops. In bedrooms, living rooms, and other areas where water fixtures are not found, regular outlets are fine—and they are still installed in today’s new homes.
Where are tamper resistant outlets required?
Tamper-resistant receptacles are also now required in hotel rooms, child care facilities, preschools, elementary education facilities, waiting areas in medical and dental clinics, dormitories, and waiting areas in any place of assembly, anywhere children may not be closely supervised.
Does a microwave need a AFCI?
A dedicated 20-amp circuit is needed to feed the microwave oven. Since the appliance is plugged into an outlet, AFCI protection is required.
Do washers need AFCI?
Nearly every room/ area in a dwelling unit requires AFCI protection, so no matter where you put a clothes washer, it will be AFCI protected in a newer home.
Do lighting circuits require AFCI?
AFCI requirements. The NEC requires that virtually all branch circuits for lighting and receptacles in a home must have arc-fault circuit-interrupter (AFCI) protection.
Where is GFCI located in garage?
How to Locate a GFCI Receptacle Go to the kitchen, bathroom, garage, crawl spaces, unfinished basement and outdoor outlets and plug in the outlet tester. Locate the breaker box. Search for any GFCI outlets. Press the test button to deactivate any outlets loading off the GFCI unit.
Do I need a GFCI outlet if I have a AFCI breaker?
No. The latest National Electrical Code requires both AFCI and GFCI protection only in kitchens and laundry rooms. If the Dual Function AFCI/GFCI replaces the first receptacle in the branch circuit, it will provide protection to the remaining outlets on that circuit.
Does garbage disposal need AFCI?
The inclusion of AFCI protection in the kitchen includes the small appliance branch circuits, lighting and all individual appliance circuits, such as the garbage disposal, dishwasher, microwave, refrigerator and range hood.
Do detached garages need AFCI breakers?
A detached structure does not need any AFCI’s. All 15 and 20A 120V receptacles have to have GFCI’s.
Does garage need AFCI or GFCI?
Your garage needs to be GFCI protected, according to the 2008 and later editions of the NEC handbook. This includes garage door openers and garage lights that are connected to an outlet. In addition, AFCI protection is required for 5-amp and 20-amp 120/125-volt circuits.
Do garage lights need to be AFCI protected?
The shorter list is areas not requiring AFCI protection: unfinished basement areas, attached or detached garages, outdoor lighting and receptacles, accessory buildings and bathrooms are not required to be fed via AFCI protected circuit.
Can two AFCI breakers share a neutral?
An AFCI with shared neutral consists of two one-pole GE circuit breakers that are tied together with a handle tie, forming a simple, two-pole shared neutral solution. 3. This allows you to wire a multi-wire or a shared neutral the same way you would with a thermal magnetic breaker.
Should I install AFCI outlets?
AFCIs have proven so effective at preventing electrical fires that the National Electrical Code (NEC) requires AFCIs to be installed in almost every room in newly built houses. The NEC also requires the installation of AFCIs in existing homes whenever an addition, an extra circuit, or even an extra outlet is added.
What is an AFCI How does it function and where is it used?
Smoke alarms, fire extinguishers and escape ladders are all examples of emergency equipment used in homes to take action when a fire occurs. An AFCI is a product that is designed to detect a wide range of arcing electrical faults to help reduce the electrical system from being an ignition source of a fire.
