1. Outlet Branch Circuit Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (OBC AFCI)

2. AFCI Receptacles – Codes, Products, Usage Guide
How it works.
Guidelines on usage in existing circuits.
What products are available
NEMA generated white paper:
Guide to Prevention of Arcing Ignited Fires in Homes
See next slide for embedded presentation

3. What’s going on?
U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) reported in 2011, an estimated ,700 home structure fires reported to fire departments involved some type of electrical failure or malfunction as factor in fire’s ignition
Resulted in 418 civilian deaths
1,570 civilian injuries
$1.4 billion in direct property damage
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), arc-faults are one of “the principle electrical failure mode resulting in fire”.

4. Danger of Electrical Faults
13% home fires in the U.S. were electrical in origin
50% of those electrical fires resulted from arcing
*National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
Annually, an estimated 28,300 residential building electrical fires cause 360 deaths, 1,000 injuries, and $995 million in direct loss
*Topical Fire Report Series, Volume 8, Issue 2 / March 2008, U.S. Fire Administration
15% of residential building electrical fires start in bedrooms
47% of residential building electrical fires where equipment was involved were caused by wiring
Electrical fire data is most likely underreported

5. What is an “arc fault”?
When electric current unintentionally “arcs” outside of the conductor without proper insulation
Concentrated temperatures from the exposed current can exceed ,000 degrees Fahrenheit and ignite surrounding material
Arc faults can be low level in terms of current BUT high level of heat and therefore, difficult for conventional overcurrent devices to detect
Two general types of arc faults:
Series Arc
“In-line fault”- Break or gap in a single conductor connecting a load where a “jump” occurs in the line
Parallel Arc
Arc fault that occurs Line-to-Ground or Line-to-Neutral

6. Parallel vs. Series Arcing
Line-to-neutral OR Line-to-ground
Series
In-Line

7. Possible Causes of Dangerous Arc Faults
Wire Degradation
Natural degradation through age
Humidity or heat
Extended mechanical stress
Extended voltage stress
Physical Damage
Animals chewing through insulation
Nails, tacks from construction or picture hanging driven into a wall through a wire(s)
Extension or power supply cord damage from sharp bends, furniture on or against cords, sharp bends
General cord damage
Poor wiring or connection at devices/j-boxes

8. What is an AFCI?
AFCI detects arc faults (an unintentional arcing condition in a circuit) that standard circuit breakers and receptacles (GFCI’s, etc.) are not designed to detect
Intended to mitigate the effects of arc faults by functioning to de-energize the circuit when an arc fault is detected
AFCI detects both types of arc faults:
Parallel (Line-to-neutral or Line-to-ground)
Series (In-line) arcing
AFCI’s reduce chances of electrical system BECOMING an ignition source
Smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, and escape ladders are emergency equipment used to take action AFTER fire occurs

9. How AFCI’s Work
Detection done by use of advanced electronic technology
Monitors circuit for presence of “normal” and “dangerous” arcing conditions

10. Outlet Branch Circuit vs. Combination AFCI

11. AFCI vs. GFCI
AFCI
Provides protection from electrical fires that could result from arcing faults
Works by detecting potentially hazardous arc fault and quickly cutting off power
GFCI
Protects users from shocks and electrocution at point of use
Works by cutting off power quickly enough to prevent harm

12. AFCI & GFCI Location Requirements
Family Room
Dining Room
Living Room
Kitchen
Laundry Room
Parlor
Library
Dens
Bedrooms
Sunroom
Rec Room
Closets
Hallways
Similar Areas
GFCI:
Bathrooms
Garage
Porch
Laundry Room 

13. Overlapping Applications with GFCI’s
Kitchen
GFCIs- Countertops, islands, and within 6-ft of sinks
AFCIs- All other outlets
Laundry Rooms
GFCIs- Within 6-ft of sinks
There are NO compatibility issues or concerns using AFCIs and GFCIs on the same circuit!
Devices that include both types of protection are being introduced

14. National Electrical Code® on Arcing
2014 NEC
New Branch Circuits: Section (A)
Modifications/Extensions: Section (B) – Combination-type AFCI at the origin of the branch circuit or OBC AFCI at the first receptacle outlet
Replacement Receptacles: Section 406.4(D)(4) – Replacement receptacles must be either OBC AFCI Receptacle, or protected by Combination-type AFCI breaker or OBC AFCI receptacle

15. New Branch Circuits - 210.12 (A)

16. New Branch Circuits: Section 210.12(A)

17. Modifications/Extensions to Existing Branch Circuits - 210.12 (B)

18. Receptacle Replacements - 406.4(D)(4)

19. Summary of AFCI Requirements by NEC*
New Circuits
Where a new circuit is being run from a circuit breaker panel or sub-panel
Applies to all types of circuits – receptacles, lighting, and smoke detectors
If using an OBC AFCI, it must be installed at the first outlet
AFCI circuit breaker is also acceptable
Modifications and Extensions to Branch Circuits
Includes adding additional receptacles or outlets on an existing branch circuit or moving existing outlets
Typically occurs during renovations to specific spaces or room additions
Applies to all outlets - receptacles, lighting and smoke detectors
* See slide 16 for details