GFCI and AFCI Circuit Breakers: Combination Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters, Branch Feeder AFCI, Circuit Breakers and Surge Arresters, Circuit Breaker Photos show the Home Electrical System Components.
Identify voltage, current and circuit destinations. 'All 120 volt, single-phase, 15- or 20-amp branch circuits supplying outlets [includes both lighting outlets and receptacle outlets] and devices [including switches] installed in dwelling unit kitchens, family rooms, dining rooms, living rooms, parlors, libraries, dens, bedrooms, sunrooms, recreation rooms, closets, hallways, laundry rooms, or similar rooms or areas shall be protected' by a listed arc fault circuit interrupter, with limited exceptions, as noted below. This means that nearly every habitable space in new homes are required to have this protection.[1]- Any existing circuits that are modified or extended in or into those area are also required to have AFCI protection installed, if they extend it by more than six (6) feet or add an outlet or device. [2] When an existing receptacle outlet is replaced on a branch required to have AFCI protection, it shall be provided with AFCI protection.[3]
- All 120-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-ampere branch circuits supplying outlets installed in dormitory unit bedrooms, living rooms, hallways, closets, and similar rooms shall be protected' by AFCI devices. [4]
- Circuits that provide more than 20 amps or more than 120 volts (208 / 240 volts circuits) are also exempted from AFCI protection. That means all double-pole (208 or 240 volt) appliances such as: electric ranges, water heaters, clothes dryers, permanently installed electric heaters (baseboard and blower types), artesian well pumps, etc. are exempt as are those that require a single pole circuit breaker greater than 20 amps. Note that if a 'permanently installed electric heater' is supplied by 120 volts on a 15- or 20-Amp circuit, it would not be exempt from AFCI protection, under this rule.
- Circuits supplying less than 120 volts (e.g., 24-volt control wiring, 12-volt lighting, telephone- or TV-signal wiring) are also exempt from AFCI protection.