AFCIs ON THE BRINK OF A HOME INVASION - ELECTRICAL EXPERTS WEIGH IN ON A POTENTIAL CODE CHANGE AND ITS IMPACT ON SAFETY AND THE ELECTRICAL INDUSTRY

摘要

If proposal #2-142 of the National Electric Code (NEC) passes, it will require combination-type arc-fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) protection for all 15A and 20A, single-phase, 120V circuits in dwelling units by Jan. 1, 2008. The combination-type AFCI combines the protection of branch/feeder circuits with increased sensitivity as well as added protection for cord-and-plug-connected equipment. The proposal isn't the first mention of AFCIs in the Code; however, it is the most expansive and possibly the most controversial.