There have been many proposal's written for the 2005 NEC Article 210.12, that will require Arc-Fault protection for all dwelling living area branch circuits, ie.. bedrooms, living rooms, kitchen, dinning, receptacles and lighting circuits etc..etc...

It seems that this will not include branch circuits for appliances like ranges, dryers, HWH, AHU, CU, etc..

This is a big expense added to the price of a house if most of the circuit breakers in the panel are going to be Arc-Fault, if this proposal is accepted.

I'd like to get some opinions to see what you all think of this. And keep in mind soon we can send in comments on the proposals, before they are accepted. Maybe we can make a difference!

My opinion so far is I don't know.

As I understand it, the Arc-Fault technology started as a result of extention cord fires in bedrooms. That is where it supposedly came from and please correct me if I'm wrong.

I would be interested to know the reasons for the proposal to have all the general use receptacles be AFCI protected. Was a study conducted?

Nick:
After looking things over some more there are proposals to delete the whole 210.12 section from the code as well.

Some exceptions for smoke detectors.

One proposal requires AFCI protection to be added to all circuits when a service is changed out on an existing dwelling!

But some of the ones that propose AFCI protection be required for all living area circuits actually have reports of dwelling fires from The National Assoc. of State Fire Marshals, and The Consumer Product Safety Commission, as well as Letters and reports from manufacturers and UL standards.

So, I don't know what way things are going to go either, I'd just like everyone to be aware of the part all us electrical professionals need to play in the process of code change. We all need a voice! That’s why we all need to read the ROP's, see what’s on the table (so to speak) this way we can make comment
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