Furnace AFCI

[35k0]

We built our house in 2019, I installed a 15 amp AFCI breaker for the furnace.
This weekend I came home and the thermostat was off, so I went to the unfinished basement where the panel is, the AFCI was tripped.
I reset it, went upstairs, the thermostat was on, then a few seconds later it tripped again.
I checked the connections in the furnace, all good, outlet on the furnace, all good, so figured it was the breaker.
Local hardware store didn’t have an AFCI in stock so I bought a regular 15amp breaker for testing.
Installed and it works fine.
I plan to buy an AFCI today and install.
Anyone have any other thoughts?
Do I even need an AFCI in an unfinished basement?

 

[larry4406]

On our new construction homes the furnaces are direct wire appliances and not on AFCI breakers. I would leave the regular breaker in place and call it good.

 

[dscheidt]

Anyone have any other thoughts?
Do I even need an AFCI in an unfinished basement?

If the builder installed it, it was almost certainly required. If the new one trips, get the fault fixed, that's the AFCI doing it's job, not an "AFCI *****, why do we have to have them!" issue. If the new one doesn't trip, contact the breaker manufacturer, and have it replaced under warranty.

 

[walta]

Seems to me AFCI would be a code requirement for a dedicated furnace circuit without any outlets.

But has been working and one has to wonder what changed?

AFCI are designed to trip when a loose connection is detected.

That is not to say it could not be a false trip most AFCI will also trip for ground faults and may not play well with electronic blower motors often found in newer furnaces.

Do I even need an AFCI in an unfinished basement?

Every outlet in the unfinished basement would need GFCI protection under most codes today.



Walta

 

[35k0]

If the builder installed it, it was almost certainly required. If the new one trips, get the fault fixed, that's the AFCI doing it's job, not an "AFCI *****, why do we have to have them!" issue. If the new one doesn't trip, contact the breaker manufacturer, and have it replaced under warranty.

That was the plan, to get another ACFI to ensure it was actually a bad AFCI. Store was out, needed heat. Grabbing one today, thanks!

 

[exranger06]

You said the unfinished basement is where the panel is located. Where is the furnace located?

 

[35k0]

You said the unfinished basement is where the panel is located. Where is the furnace located?

Basement.

 

[exranger06]

Basement.

I'm assuming it's in an unfinished room/part of the basement? If so, AFCI is not required. Finished basements require AFCI, unfinished basements do not.

 

[35k0]

I'm assuming it's in an unfinished room/part of the basement? If so, AFCI is not required. Finished basements require AFCI, unfinished basements do not.

Correct, the entire 28x64 basement is unfinished, unoccupied.

 

[Showkey]

Nuisance tripping is a live and well on GJ with prior posts (GJ search will yield hours of reading) and the general internet. There might actual fault and there might not be a fault ?

Arc fault breakers

Having issues with arc fault breakers tripping on the bedroom lighting circuits. Lights are off and no one home and the breakers trip. Will work for a couple of days then trip again. What could be causing this? Weak breakers?

www.garagejournal.com

Many Class actions are just getting started........

Results - Zimmerman Reed LLP

Past Successes We wish we could tell you about all our clients’ successes, but many of them are confidential. Over the past decades, Zimmerman Reed has represented plaintiffs in hundreds of major complex and class action cases. During that time, we have had the privilege of representing tens of...

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[35k0]

Thanks guys, nothing has changed on my end, whether or not the furnace is having issues is another story.
I will pop a new ACFI in the box and see if is still trips, if not it should indicate the breaker was faulty.

Thanks everyone, much appreciated.

 

[35k0]

Nuisance tripping is a live and well on GJ with prior posts (GJ search will yield hours of reading) and the general internet. There might actual fault and there might not be a fault ?

Arc fault breakers

Having issues with arc fault breakers tripping on the bedroom lighting circuits. Lights are off and no one home and the breakers trip. Will work for a couple of days then trip again. What could be causing this? Weak breakers?

www.garagejournal.com

Many Class actions are just getting started........

Results - Zimmerman Reed LLP

Past Successes We wish we could tell you about all our clients’ successes, but many of them are confidential. Over the past decades, Zimmerman Reed has represented plaintiffs in hundreds of major complex and class action cases. During that time, we have had the privilege of representing tens of...

www.zimmreed.com

I did search google and here and saw many posts but wanted to ask specifically about this situation still. Thanks for the response.

 

[35k0]

Was a faulty AFCI. Replaced with a brand new one, no trips.
Thanks everyone!

 

[Syberia]

Could you imagine if your pipes froze because of a faulty AFCI?

 

[35k0]

Could you imagine if your pipes froze because of a faulty AFCI?

I am not against installing a standard breaker, I just want to do what is correct. I installed a new acfi to ensure that there wasn't a larger issue and to make sure the trips were not anything more than a bad breaker. Since the new ACFI has not tripped, I will feel more confident in installing a standard breaker.