GFCI / AFCI

The reason why AF are good is cuz say you have an extension cord or a receptacle or other circuit wiring where a high resistance short allows current to arc n spark which creates plenty enough heat to start a fire BUTTTTT TTTTT TTTTT TTTTT theres not enough current draw to cause say a regular 20 amp thermal/magnetic breaker to trip. THE AF BREAKER WILL TRIP WHEN AN ARC IS DETECTED ALTHOUGH ITS LOW AMPS WHERE A REGULAR BREAKER WOULDNT TRIP

They are expensive now but I see the price as possibly dropping once huge volumes are produced if the NEC mandates them. As an engineer I believe in them (likely may improve in the future) and think they can save fires from starting and lives.....

John T

I didn't know either, so I looked it up after reading that posting. It's an Arc Fault Circuit Interupter. Electrical wiring problems are said to account for 60% of house fires. A breaker that will trip when it senses arcing in the circuit should, in theory, prevent much of this. But it gets strange. Current code requires AFCI protection for bedroom outlets circuits only, if I understand it correctly. Why arc faults should be limited to bedrooms is only the first of several apparent flaws in this code. There is disagreement and controversy about it.

All the best, Stan

I believe one reason arc fault iterrupters aren't required throughout the house is that they can't be used on three-wire circuits. Three-wire is very popular for kitchens in particular, so that pretty much precludes retrofiting AFCIs in kitchens.

Another reason that AFCIs aren't required across the board that that they are quite expensive.

Dusty