Afci

[BADSIX]

I'm doing a remodel and installed a new panel .I have to bedrooms back to back, receptacles In both rooms are wired together to one 20 amp circuit. I need to AFCI protect the receptacles. can I do this with one AFCI breaker or dose each bedroom have to have its own breaker. also could one light fixture in each room be connected in this circuit.
Thanks Jay D.

 

[Bert_]

If you only replaced the panel and not the wiring that runs to those rooms, then most regions do not require you to install AFCI's.

To answer your question though, yes one AFCI can be used to protect the entire circuit including both bedrooms.

 

[BADSIX]

Thanks, I had to fix a few problems in the wiring. thats reason for wanting to put a light in this circuit was someone spliced into the wires just ahead of one of receptacles. I need to fix this but would like the light also
Jay D.

 

[AntonLargiader]

Being obvious here, but the difference is that one way you lose the whole circuit and have to go somewhere else to reset, and one way you only lose the room and can reset it there. OTOH, the breaker will protect the entire circuit (including the wiring going to the BR), should you get rodent damage or some other fault within the walls.

For us, it doesn't seem to make any difference because we don't get trips on our one or two AFCI breakers, but we also don't plug many things into the BR receptacles. I prefer the DF breaker approach because it protects starting at the panel.

 

[Bert_]

Being obvious here, but the difference is that one way you lose the whole circuit and have to go somewhere else to reset, and one way you only lose the room and can reset it there. OTOH, the breaker will protect the entire circuit (including the wiring going to the BR), should you get rodent damage or some other fault within the walls.

For us, it doesn't seem to make any difference because we don't get trips on our one or two AFCI breakers, but we also don't plug many things into the BR receptacles. I prefer the DF breaker approach because it protects starting at the panel.

For a new circuit the NEC does not allow you to use an AFCI receptacle since that would not protect the wire upstream. There are a few exceptions like if the home run is in metal conduit or something like that but that's not real practical.

Personally I am becoming more in favor of doing everything with the breaker, even with GFCI's. It seems like many people, especially older people, can't find the outlet or figure out what to reset when an outlet trips. If everything is done with the breaker it makes just one thing to check if the circuit goes out, and it is the place most people would check first unless they happen to notice a tripped receptacle.

With GFCI's you have the option to protect the outlets either way. Most install the GFCI receptacles since it is almost always cheaper that way.

When a circuit requires AFCI protection your not only required to protect the outlets but also the rest of the circuit. AFCI receptacles are mostly for replacement only.