AFCI Safety And Protecting Your HomeAFCISafety.org is a one-stop information resource on the Internet for residential arc fault breaker safety information distributed by National Electrical Manufacturers Association NEMA Low Voltage Distribution Equipment Section. The goals of AFCISafety.org are to: - Increase the level of awareness of AFCI and its uses in residential applications
- Inform about the differences between branch/feeder AFCIs, combination AFCIs, and GFCI devices
- Provide information related to AFCIs' preventative aspects of arcing faults and its links to fire safety
- Highlight proper installation and operation of AFCI devices
Introduction Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCIs) are required by the National Electrical Code for certain electrical circuits in the home. Questions have been raised regarding their application and even the need for them. Various technical “opinions”, organizational “marketing pitches”, and misinformation are being distributed about AFCIs that further mislead the public about the purpose of the device as a part of overall electrical safety for the public. This website is intended to address the various aspects of AFCIs and clear up the misinformation circulating in the industry. Research in the arc fault area began in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s when the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) identified a concern with the residential fires of electrical origin. A large number of these fires were estimated to be in branch circuit wiring systems. The Electronic Industries Association (EIA) had studied the issue of electrical fires and determined that additional protection against arcing faults were an area that needed to be addressed by electrical protection. NEC ® Code-Making Panel 2 (CMP2) reviewed many proposals ranging from protecting the entire residence to the protection of living and sleeping areas. In addition, the panel heard numerous presentations on both sides of the issue. After much data analysis and discussion, the CMP2 concluded that AFCI protection should be required for branch circuits that supply receptacle outlets in bedrooms. Subsequent editions of the NEC ® further upgraded the requirements to include protection on all outlets (lighting, receptacle, smoke alarm, etc.) in bedrooms along with other enhancements.
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