Gentlemen, I am taking a quick survey. Would arc-fault protection be required on a duplex receptacle that is located in a master bedroom walk-in closet?? :rolleyes:

I would have to say yes, ARC Fault would be required.

Yes the arc fault would be required in the closet as it is identified as master bedroom closet.

Hello Gentleman, I am an Insp from Ma. I am an IAEI member #3585, the IAEI home page bulletin board is being shut down and referred to use this one, I hope no body will mind.In MA, AFCI is the same as the national book with a few amendments, the big headache up here is , if you change the overcurrent devices (service change- panel change) AFCI is required for the bedrooms. It is really a big problem for contractors but also Inspectors, imagine inspecting a 4-6-8 unit building service up grade!! how many bedrooms could you get access to and then have to move furinture!! ANY COMMENTS!!

In response to 3phase: Please feel free to use this forum. It's a shame MORE people don't use it!! About your comment: Here in my jurisdiction we would not require the bedroom outlets to be arc-fault protected contingent upon a service upgrade unless the branch circuits were "installed" after January 1, 2002, per 210-12(b), 1999 NEC. Also see definition of branch circuit.

But don't you consider the overcurrent protection device that protects the branch circuit, part of the branch circuit, thus requiring it to be arc fault protected if the breaker was changed ie: service change. I would think that this device is protecting the circuit so should be part of it.

Sparky, read the definition of branch circuit in the 1999 NEC.

In my humble opinion a closet is a closet and not a bedroom, therefore, any lighting or receptacle outlets in the closet would not have to be AFCI protected. (This seemed to be the opinion of the panel at the annual chapter meeting also)

Food for thought: If the doorway to the master closet was located in the bathroom would any receptacles in that closet have to be GFCI protected per 210.8? (I say no)

I would have to say that if the outlet in the closet were still in the master bedroom, it should be covered as follows: Section 210.12 requires that AFCI protection be provided on branch circuits that supply outlets (receptacle, lighting, etc.) in dwelling unit bedrooms. The requirement is limited to 15- and 20-ampere 125-volt circuits. There is no prohibition against providing AFCI protection on other circuits or in locations other than bedrooms. Because circuits are often shared between a bedroom and other areas such as closets and hallways, providing AFCI protection on the complete circuit would comply with 210.12.

Yes, it seems that after attending the annual chapter meeting it would not be required to have the outlet in the master bedroom closet AFCI protected. I agree, George.