Consider a new room addition (family room), but electrical contractor is stating that he cannot get a new home run to that area for the receptacles. So they are planning to tap off of an existing receptacle circuit. In this case, are the new receptacles required to be AFCI protected?

If yes, please cite the applicable code(s).
If no, please state why not.

Thanks.

Is this a trick question?? Article 210.12 would require the new outlets to be AFCI protected. They would have the added benefit of the original circuit becoming AFCI Protected also.

No, no trick question.

A fellow electrical inspector whom I respect has taken the position that according to the 2008 NEC, if the branch circuit being utilized is existing, then the new receptacles do not need to be AFCI protected.

I disagree, so I'm just gathering opinions at this point. Maybe I'm wrong.

I don't see it in the NEC, unless he is talking about the FBC existing code. But I agree if they are new receptacles they need the protection.

I agree with Paul.

All the work in the addition will have to meet the code for new construction per the FBC - EB:





I do not see anything in the code that would prohibit an existing branch-circuit to be utilized or extended to a new work area, however that branch-circuit would then need to be put into compliance. In this case, AFCI protection would have to be added.

Otherwise, a new AFCI protected circuit would be required per 210.12 NEC.

I Agree, the new addition would have to comply with 210.12, even with the extension of an existing circuit. That existing circuit would have to be AFCI protetected, The 2011 Cycle address that

Agree, AFCI would be required.