Arc Fault breaker on a light circuit
#1
09-12-06, 10:33 AM
Arc Fault breaker on a light circuit
Hi all,
I am redoing some wiring in my soon to be finished basement.. One question I had is that while doing the wiring I noticed the exist light circuit was an arcfault breaker... I traced the wires and realized they added a smoke detector onto the circuit as well, but I am at a lost as to why they would use an Arc Fault breaker on it.. Just concerned there are outlets on this cirucit as well..
Any thoughts?
I am redoing some wiring in my soon to be finished basement.. One question I had is that while doing the wiring I noticed the exist light circuit was an arcfault breaker... I traced the wires and realized they added a smoke detector onto the circuit as well, but I am at a lost as to why they would use an Arc Fault breaker on it.. Just concerned there are outlets on this cirucit as well..
Any thoughts?
#2
09-12-06, 10:47 AM
Well first of all, there are outlets on the circuit. Outlets are any place where electricity is used on the circuit. You meant to say receptacles.
I am guessing that the circuit is arc fault because the smoke detectors in the house are interconnected, and some of the smoke detectors are in bedrooms.
Depending on code at the time and possible local ammendments, smoke detectors in bedrooms need an arc fault breaker.
I am guessing that the circuit is arc fault because the smoke detectors in the house are interconnected, and some of the smoke detectors are in bedrooms.
Depending on code at the time and possible local ammendments, smoke detectors in bedrooms need an arc fault breaker.
#3
09-12-06, 11:30 AM
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Expanding a little on Racrafts mention, Anything (electricaly) in a bedroom must be AFCI protected, So if the smoke dectors pass thru, they must be protected.
#4
09-12-06, 12:21 PM
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To expand a bit on Lee's post, what he says is according to the newest codes.
Recent codes required only "receptacles" on AFCIs and even older codes did not require them at all.
This is of course if your area even adopted the AFCI requirement at all.
Mine still does not enforce the use of AFCIs.
Recent codes required only "receptacles" on AFCIs and even older codes did not require them at all.
This is of course if your area even adopted the AFCI requirement at all.
Mine still does not enforce the use of AFCIs.
#5
09-12-06, 12:31 PM
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Very Good point Speedy.
We seem to accept/enforce things here before the NEC/NFPA or others aprove them.
I'm starting to like the "local jurisdiction" thing,In the other parts of the country.
Here ,They print... It's law. You get used to it.
We seem to accept/enforce things here before the NEC/NFPA or others aprove them.
I'm starting to like the "local jurisdiction" thing,In the other parts of the country.
Here ,They print... It's law. You get used to it.
#8
09-12-06, 05:57 PM
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Technicaly, any box that you may get power from is an "Outlet" (smoke ,light,switch etc). This is also a common phrase for receptacale (plug)
But a plug is the male part of a cord cap, the receptacale is the other part.
Nobody realy knows what a finnigan pin is though,or a gazinta.
But a plug is the male part of a cord cap, the receptacale is the other part.
Nobody realy knows what a finnigan pin is though,or a gazinta.
#10
09-12-06, 07:19 PM
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A plug is a gazinta. 
And a switch is NOT an outlet, it is a control.
This ought to stir things up.
And a switch is NOT an outlet, it is a control.
This ought to stir things up.
#12
09-12-06, 07:40 PM
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AMP; gets a "B" for effort.
Speedy: gets an "A"-
The switch is a control, But the box it is in, is an outlet.
No extra points for the gazinta.
What is a finnigan pin, anyway?
I was asked to go get one 23 years ago, I'm still looking.
Speedy: gets an "A"-
The switch is a control, But the box it is in, is an outlet.
No extra points for the gazinta.
What is a finnigan pin, anyway?
I was asked to go get one 23 years ago, I'm still looking.
#13
09-13-06, 02:32 AM
Outlet. A point on the wiring system at which current is
taken to supply utilization equipment.
A box is not an outlet untill you attach some equipment to it. A light switch box is therefore not an outlet.
New can of worms. What if the switch is lighted?
taken to supply utilization equipment.
A box is not an outlet untill you attach some equipment to it. A light switch box is therefore not an outlet.
New can of worms. What if the switch is lighted?
#14
09-13-06, 03:08 AM
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#15
12-23-06, 11:49 PM
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hmm .. old thread, but a fun one.
What if the switch is really a dimmer switch. Having a certain amount of resistance would mean it's probably generating some heat. Would that therefore make it a device? *grin*
What if the switch is really a dimmer switch. Having a certain amount of resistance would mean it's probably generating some heat. Would that therefore make it a device? *grin*
