how hard is it to install an arc-fault breaker?

[HomeBrewerDude]

Compared to a normal breaker...

 

[Miramonti]

Extremely easy...just one more wire, going to the ground bar iirc.

/edit: the biggest drawbacks are the price for each and that they trip easier under a high load (my treadmill would trip it whenever turning it on so I swapped the arc fault breaker out for a regular one.

 

[Modelworks]

AFCI breakers are now a code requirement so if your home comes with one you are not supposed to replace it.

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

AFCI breakers are now a code requirement so if your home comes with one you are not supposed to replace it.

I'm thinking about replacing my old breakers with new AFCIs.

 

[iGas]

AFCI breakers are now a code requirement so if your home comes with one you are not supposed to replace it.

Possibly void home insurance if there is a fire also.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Think they are only required in specific areas such as bedrooms, but I could be wrong, maybe it's everywhere now. I know certain items do not like AFCIs, such as motors and UPSes. But I think they are a great idea to install as they can save your house from fire if there is loose wiring or a faulty appliance that is arcing. I think they are also much better then when they first came out, as far as false positives.

I don't have any in my panel but I do plan to upgrade it to a bigger one for more space eventually, and will probably add some at that point. Beauty with my setup is I have a 100 amp separate disconnect so I could actually safely change my whole panel myself to a 200amp one without involving the hydro company. I would remain at 100 amp service until I get the disconnect upgraded.

I used to be intimidated by playing in the breaker box but after opening it up and venturing in there it's actually quite easy. It's like installing a video card. :biggrin:

 

[iGas]

Think they are only required in specific areas such as bedrooms, but I could be wrong, maybe it's everywhere now. I know certain items do not like AFCIs, such as motors and UPSes. But I think they are a great idea to install as they can save your house from fire if there is loose wiring or a faulty appliance that is arcing. I think they are also much better then when they first came out, as far as false positives.

I don't have any in my panel but I do plan to upgrade it to a bigger one for more space eventually, and will probably add some at that point. Beauty with my setup is I have a 100 amp separate disconnect so I could actually safely change my whole panel myself to a 200amp one without involving the hydro company. I would remain at 100 amp service until I get the disconnect upgraded.

I used to be intimidated by playing in the breaker box but after opening it up and venturing in there it's actually quite easy. It's like installing a video card. :biggrin:

2008 NEC

 

[Red Squirrel]

2008 NEC

Wow so basically everywhere a GFCI is not required you put an AFCI instead.

Guessing lighting circuits need one too then, as you could have a badly installed fixture or a fixture itself going bad that could be an issue.

Not sure how all this applies in Canada but I would assume it's the same, or building codes are strict, if more strict then the US.

 

[iGas]

Wow so basically everywhere a GFCI is not required you put an AFCI instead.

Guessing lighting circuits need one too then, as you could have a badly installed fixture or a fixture itself going bad that could be an issue.

Not sure how all this applies in Canada but I would assume it's the same, or building codes are strict, if more strict then the US.

Much of Canada building codes (include plumbing, gas, fire, water safety, and electrical) are borrowed from the American building codes (I dare say greater than 80%).

 

[edro]

One more way to generate more money for the electrical industry.
AFCIs seem like overkill for residential service.

 

[ShawnD1]

Not sure how all this applies in Canada but I would assume it's the same, or building codes are strict, if more strict then the US.

As far as I know, Canada's electrical code only requires AFCI in bedrooms.

The reason Canada doesn't require AFCI everywhere is because AFCI breakers are very touchy and they don't work with a lot of things. AFCI can be tripped by high current fluorescent lights, electronics, motors, or anything that produces a lot of harmonics. AFCI breakers are also very inconsistent between companies. It's possible to have a vacuum cleaner work perfect with a Siemens breaker but not work at all with a Cutler-Hammer breaker.

 

[BeauJangles]

In our house (remodeled 2008-2009), there are arc-fault breakers for the all the bedrooms and nowhere else. They are such a giant pain in the ass. My friend (the home-owner) had to remove them from one bedroom which is his office because his computer constantly tripped them. I can't have a space heater running in my room because it will trip mine.

 

[ShawnD1]

In our house (remodeled 2008-2009), there are arc-fault breakers for the all the bedrooms and nowhere else. They are such a giant pain in the ass. My friend (the home-owner) had to remove them from one bedroom which is his office because his computer constantly tripped them. I can't have a space heater running in my room because it will trip mine.

This is partly because what the AFCI is looking for is non-sinusoidal current. A regular load like a light bulb will have a nice sinusoidal current all the way from zero volts to the peak volts. An arc fault has no current at low voltage but a sudden high current when the voltage peaks, so the current is very quick to rise and quick to drop back to zero. Electronic devices like computers have a very similar current pattern because of the way a rectifier works.

High torque motors like drills and blenders tend to trip AFCI breakers because they are usually DC motors. Older DC motors use brushes and slip rings which make and break contact a lot. Worn out brushes and a strong lagging power factor can cause lots of arcing, which then trips the breaker.