Arc Fault Protection Is Required For. Beside above where is afci not required. Afci protection is now mentioned in the national electrical code and required in several areas of the home and as adopted by your local building department or agency.
Nec codes for afci in home electrical applications. If circuits are installed in a space for use other than a dwelling unit afci is not required commercial and industrial spaces are not required to have afci protection. Arc faults can occur from loose connections damaged insulation crossed wires or pinched or overheated wires.
Our kitchens are one of the most electricity demanding rooms in our homes.
Arc fault circuit interrupter protection is required at outlets in all kitchens family rooms dining rooms living rooms parlors libraries dens bedrooms sunrooms recreation rooms closets hallways laundry areas or similar rooms per the current edition of the national electrical code nec. The arc fault circuit interrupter is designed to turn off an electrical circuit when an arc is detected that can lead to a fire or other hazardous conditions within the range of the protection that the afci is able to detect. The subsequent sections of chapter 42 section 422 deal with specific locations and circumstances that require further considerations. The requirement for arc fault breakers is just another incidence of rule making in the absence of meaningful cost benefit analysis and the preponderance of speculation.
