Difference ARC falt and GFCI

[Motown 454]

Can someone tell me the difference between an arc fault breaker and a GFCI breaker?
Thank you.

 

[Gooch]

GFCI detects current flow outside of the normal path.

AFCI detects arcing faults within the normal path.

 

[Motown 454]

Could the arc fault be used in a cercuit for recepticales in my garage wiring, or not a good choice? Do they offer any better protection than a regular breaker?

 

[Gooch]

Could the arc fault be used in a cercuit for recepticales in my garage wiring, or not a good choice? Do they offer any better protection than a regular breaker?

NEC Generally requires the recptacles in a garage to be GFCI protected.

 

[Motown 454]

Thanks!

 

[mrb]

you specifically do not want AFCI for your garage receptacles.

 

[Motown 454]

I'm not going to use them. I was just wondering about the difference. I guess I'll use the GFCI breakers.

 

[nehog]

I got a couple of free AFCI breakers at one time. I tried them in my shop to see what would happen.

Bottom line is that if anyone wants some Homeline AFCI breakers, let me know because I don't use them! (wow, almost all my portable tools would trip these things!)

 

[Falcon67]

I got a couple of free AFCI breakers at one time. I tried them in my shop to see what would happen.

Bottom line is that if anyone wants some Homeline AFCI breakers, let me know because I don't use them! (wow, almost all my portable tools would trip these things!)

I think they do that with vacuum cleaners too - great idea since they are now required on bedroom circuits. I have noted on the inspection reports from the houses we've looked at that home inspectors write up even 80 year old houses as not having those. After reading some about them, free is too much to pay to have them around.