Home Improvement Stack Exchange
Home Improvement Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [afci]

Arc-fault circuit interrupter are safety switches, similar to GFCI, that are used to detect electrical arcing and shutoff power to prevent the risk of fire.

AFCI may be installed as a breaker within the breaker panel or as an outlet. Many electrical codes now require an AFCI circuit breaker to protect outlets in bedrooms.

See also

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Could my power strip have killed all my AFCI's?

Odd thing happened today. My wife plugged a 1700W (clothes) iron into a power strip and tripped the AFCI to the bedroom. I reckon with the TV and 2 lamps running it peaked over 15A and tripped out. What was odd was the event didn't just trip the…
Dan Meacham
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AFCI trips on (microwave | laser printer) + bathroom led lights

Initial state: two BX (old metallic-sheathed cable) arrived at one outlet box on the second floor. They are sourced from a pair of 15 amp breakers tied together as an MWBC at the panel. Apparently, they show up at the panel with just one neutral,…
bmargulies
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Question about AFCI breakers

I wanted to change my breakers to AFCI, but don’t know if it possible. I have 4 20 amp circuits running to my kitchen. The wiring is 12-3, but this is where it gets weird for a DIYer, like myself. One black wire goes to one circuit, the red goes to…
Vmarc
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Can AVR or loose speaker wires cause AFCI to trip?

I have a newly constructed ADU and the AFCI breaker for the plug my AV system is in keeps tripping. We've replaced the breaker twice with no change and checked all the internal wiring. I had a Denon AVR plugged into the wall which sometimes makes…
Michael
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When an AFCI or GFCI breaker is tripped or turned off does it break the neutral line also?

When an AFCI or GFCI breaker trips or turned off does the neutral on the circuit break from the bus bar?
Jon Stiltner
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afci protection for kitchen hood fan

I'm wiring a new house and have installed a dedicated 15 amp circuit to the hood fan located over the range in the kitchen. Does this circuit need to be on a afci breaker?
G-man
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How do I toubleshoot Intermitant failure with an AFCI breaker?

Six months ago I remodeled my kitchen. Even though nobody is using AFCI breakers or recepticles in my area, I decided to use AFCI/GFCI receptacles as opposed to GFCI's. The particular circuit in question is a 20 amp circuit run on new 12/2. I've…
mreff555
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AFCI Breaker with a two wire switch with no power to it going to a box for the ceiling light with new three wire power

I have an existing two wire switch box that is going to a ceiling junction box where there is new three wire power and another two wire connection to an outlet. I want to install a new light. I purchased a new switch that has a ground screw. I…
Clayton
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AFCI randomly tripping, and related questions

Warning, this may be a bit long ... I'll do my best to be brief but it's a somewhat complicated situation. Primary issue is that the AFCI breaker trips in a very random pattern that I can't figure out; secondary issue is that said breaker seems to…
joecool
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AFCI breaker tripping when any load attached

advanced home DIY-er here. I put in a new Murray (Siemens) AFCI breaker and new 14-2 wire from the breaker box up straight to a light in a bathroom I'm remodeling (single wire for the complete run). If I disconnect the load and neutral from the…
confuzzled
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Electric fireplace in AFCI circuit

I have a new 15amp circuit with AFCI breakers. It is dedicated for 120v electric fireplace. The issue I am facing is that the moment I turn the fireplace on the breaker trips. My questions are - Shall I replace AFCI with a regular 15amp…
Divyashree Bajpai
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AFI Breakers Overheating and Tripping - would switching some to regular circuits with an AFI outlet be an acceptable solution?

We have recently upgraded several of our circuit breakers to the new combination AFI units required by NEC. Our panel is full, however, so this means several of these AFIs are stacked next to each other. With the summer heat and window AC usage,…
MinnesotaHome
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