Afci problem

[barnowski2]

I wired a new addition with 14-3 w ground and the rough electrical was approved by the county inspector along with the drawings. Now I'm trying to install the AFCI breakers as needed by county code, but with the multiwire 14-3 w gr wire I put in they are tripping as soon as I flip the swiitch. I ran a jumper neutrial wire from one braker to the other but didnt help. I installed regular breakers and everything worked good. Any ideas??

 

[Rookie2]

Your trying to share the neutral wire with two circuits.

 

[barnowski2]

Yes, the 14-3 wire has 2 hot wires and 1 neutral wire. the AFCI want 1 hot, 1 neutral and there is only 1 neutral to use between 2 brakers, and it is tripping them both if it isnt set up correctly.

 

[aandpdan]

Only a few manufacturers make AFCI breakers for your application.
What brand panel is it?

 

[barnowski2]

Siemens

 

[barnowski2]

Im wondering if I need a double pole breaker?

 

[wyliesdiesels]

U need a double pole AFCI for MWBC(multi-wire branch circuit) because of the shared neutral. It wont work with 2 single AFCIs.

IMHO, AFCIs are snake oil. Install em for final inspection then swap em out with regular breakers...

Be prepared to shell out some serious dough!!

Here ya go:

http://w3.usa.siemens.com/powerdist...ole-afci/pages/2-pole-afci.aspx?ismobile=true

 

[dw1]

I wired a new addition with 14-3 w ground and the rough electrical was approved by the county inspector along with the drawings. Now I'm trying to install the AFCI breakers as needed by county code, but with the multiwire 14-3 w gr wire I put in they are tripping as soon as I flip the swiitch. I ran a jumper neutrial wire from one braker to the other but didnt help. I installed regular breakers and everything worked good. Any ideas??

What type and brand of AFCI are you installing? Since you ran a 14/3 and have a multiwire branch circuit are you installing a multi wire AFCI
http://w3.usa.siemens.com/powerdist...t-breakers/2-pole-afci/pages/2-pole-afci.aspx
Just checking, not clear on what you put in, are you trying to use 2- single pole AFCI's?

 

[aandpdan]

The handles need to be tied by code on an MWBC anyways.

You do need a double pole breaker and Siemens makes one.

http://w3.usa.siemens.com/powerdistribution/us/en/product-portfolio/circuit-breakers/residential-circuit-breakers/2-pole-afci/pages/2-pole-afci.aspx

 

[dw1]

Wylie types faster than me , but... even though some breakers will fit several different panels, on the AFCI's I am pretty sure they are only approved to be installed in the exact same brand of panel.

 

[pattenp]

Just curious, but why in the world did you wire your circuit as a MWBC? Was it to save a couple of bucks on wire.

 

[barnowski2]

You guys are awsome....thanks for your help !!!!