Are they serious.......AFCI test monthly??

[barnjunkie]

I installed an AFCI breaker for my sons bedroom, and the instructions read like this..

"Underwriters Laboratories (UL) & Canadian Standards Asso. (CSA) agree the best way to check the operation of a GFCI or AFCI is to push the TEST button. Both suggest the GFCI be tested monthly, and require a TEST Reminder on adhesive paper and a TEST Schedule with a minimum of 180 check squares on adhesive paper, be included with each breaker to be attached to the residential panel.'

Is there anyone on this forum or anywhere in the world that would test this device monthly, and if you need to do this, doesn't it seem like an excessive test schedule??

 

[pattenp]

Some are self testing and will trip if it detects an internal problem in the breaker.

http://w3.usa.siemens.com/powerdist...reakers/pages/self-test-lock-out-feature.aspx

 

[manwithtools]

Of course they want it tested monthly. That way you will replace it sooner than if you did not test it regularly. I'll leave it at that.

 

[Norcal]

If you read the instructions for GFCI's they also will say to test monthly. Does anyone do it? Doubtful if it's done.

 

[nehog]

If you read the instructions for GFCI's they also will say to test monthly. Does anyone do it? Doubtful if it's done.

Why I test mine monthly, usually in the month of April, around the first of the month.

 

[jd_1138]

It's probably to cover their asses. If they don't put something about testing it, people will NEVER test it, and then if there's a fire the manufacturer might get sued for not telling people to periodically test it.

It's like how ladders have 20 paragraphs of warnings on the label. "Don't place ladder on places that are slippery."

 

[Orionrising]

Gonna need a much bigger panel for all the test log stickers......

Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

 

[James-W]

It's probably to cover their asses. If they don't put something about testing it, people will NEVER test it, and then if there's a fire the manufacturer might get sued for not telling people to periodically test it.

It's like how ladders have 20 paragraphs of warnings on the label. "Don't place ladder on places that are slippery."

There is a lot of truth in what you said. I am not quite sure how it happened but for whatever reasons we have become a "sue happy" nation.

 

[mikegt4]

Ever notice that in many (most...almost all) companies the legal department is larger than the engineering department?

 

[nsula_country]

AFCI's are over rated... GFCI's are a great safety tool!

CT

 

[nh_yota]

AFCI's are over rated... GFCI's are a great safety tool!

CT

Agreed.

 

[Radix2]

Some are self testing and will trip if it detects an internal problem in the breaker.

http://w3.usa.siemens.com/powerdist...reakers/pages/self-test-lock-out-feature.aspx

those are interesting - I also note that it says that if it fails the self test, the consumer is not able to reset it anymore - it would need to be replaced.

Seems to me if there is a real risk of these things not working and that they actually need to be tested regularly - that this self test is the only way to go.

Asking people to test outlets once a month is both useless and stupid.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

AFCI's are over rated... GFCI's are a great safety tool!

CT

Theyre snake oil.

 

[MattVette89]

I installed an AFCI breaker for my sons bedroom, and the instructions read like this..

Not a criticism, but why did you install an AFCI in a bedroom?

 

[nsula_country]

Not a criticism, but why did you install an AFCI in a bedroom?

If remodeling, code requires them in "living areas".

CT

 

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

AFCI's are over rated... GFCI's are a great safety tool!

CT

GFCI's are safety tools indeed. I post at a popular pool forum and I see a lot of posts like "pool light keeps tripping my breaker".

Well yeah, that may actually be the only reason you're alive right now.

 

[MattVette89]

If remodeling, code requires them in "living areas".

CT

Thank you. It was a serious question, I hadn't heard about it until now.

 

[nsula_country]

Thank you. It was a serious question, I hadn't heard about it until now.

NEC requires AFCI in "all living areas" this includes bedroom, living room, den, dining room, closets. NEC requires GFCI in bathrooms, kitchens, garages, exterior receptacles.

Basically in Residential electrical the only permitted exceptions to AFCI or GFCI protection is dedicated appliance circuits (fridge, washing machine, dishwasher) or a receptacle MORE than 6' from water in a bathroom or kitchen... The receptacles in my kitchen island fall into this category.

When we built our house, and I wired the said house, if a GFCI was needed in a circuit I just used a GFCI breaker on the entire circuit. I have 8 or 9. Kitchen receptacles, each bathroom, outdoor receptacles each have their own circuit and GFCI breaker. It did cost a little more, but is cleaner than using in-wall GFCI receptacles and the perceived higher quality.

AFCI's... I have not had many "problems" out of them. The tamper-resistant receptacles on the other hand ****. I do have one AFCI that DOESN'T LIKE my 2, Eco-Smart 27kw tankless water heaters. They use PWM fets to modulate the heating elements and the high frequency feedback occasionally trips one as a false positive "arc fault."

CT

 

[Radix2]

Michigan no longer requires AFCI on single family dwellings.

Any other states drop them ?

 

[MattVette89]

Thanks nsula.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

NEC requires AFCI in "all living areas" this includes bedroom, living room, den, dining room, closets. NEC requires GFCI in bathrooms, kitchens, garages, exterior receptacles.

Basically in Residential electrical the only permitted exceptions to AFCI or GFCI protection is dedicated appliance circuits (fridge, washing machine, dishwasher) or a receptacle MORE than 6' from water in a bathroom or kitchen... The receptacles in my kitchen island fall into this category.

When we built our house, and I wired the said house, if a GFCI was needed in a circuit I just used a GFCI breaker on the entire circuit. I have 8 or 9. Kitchen receptacles, each bathroom, outdoor receptacles each have their own circuit and GFCI breaker. It did cost a little more, but is cleaner than using in-wall GFCI receptacles and the perceived higher quality.

AFCI's... I have not had many "problems" out of them. The tamper-resistant receptacles on the other hand ****. I do have one AFCI that DOESN'T LIKE my 2, Eco-Smart 27kw tankless water heaters. They use PWM fets to modulate the heating elements and the high frequency feedback occasionally trips one as a false positive "arc fault."

CT

IIRCC the 2014 NEC code cycle did away with those exceptions...

 

[nsula_country]

Michigan no longer requires AFCI on single family dwellings.

Any other states drop them ?

Wyliesdiesels,

What about this post?? Michigan abolished the NEC code on AFCI?

I was quoting NEC 2008 and 2011. I'm not up on 2014 code.

CT

 

[nsula_country]

Interesting...

http://forums.mikeholt.com/showthread.php?t=173784

CT

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Wyliesdiesels,

What about this post?? Michigan abolished the NEC code on AFCI?

I was quoting NEC 2008 and 2011. I'm not up on 2014 code.

CT

I dont follow Michigan code as I live and work in california which is obviously different so i have no idea.

 

[nsula_country]

Louisiana requires them as well. Most of my work is purely Industrial Electrical and automation control wiring...

CT

 

[pinkerton]

I'm not on the AFCI bus either (there a product of lobbying manufacturers) - and no way I would test anything monthly. Anything!