Originally Posted by
John Steinke
First, there are many, many places that operate either under older editions of the NEC, or have specifically declined to accept the AFCI requirements. A home in such a place need not have them ... at all.
Actually, those homes do "need" AFCIs, its just that those homes 'may not be required to have AFCIs'.
Second, even under the 08 NEC, I believe they overlooked the stairways - which need neither GFCI nor AFCI protection. (oops!)
Actually, stairs are covered under AFCI protection, and I'm not the only one who reads the code that way: (NEMA does too)
AFCISafety.org :: Codes & Standards
Third, the 08 NEC has 'eased' restrictions on the use of AFCI devices. Therefor, we may no longer assume that AFCI's will be in the panels.
Actually, those 'eased' restrictions (which were not 'eased', they just allowed the AFCI device to be moved outside the panel) first happened in the 2005 NEC, then in the 2008 NEC, the wording was changed to (Duh!) allow metallic raceway or metallic cable with metal boxes to allow the AFCI (no 'easing' of the requirement, just allowing moving the location) in the first outlet on the circuit. I say (Duh!) because the intent of AFCIs is to cut off power to the circuit when there is arcing in the circuit, to reduce the risk of fire - contain everything in metal and you have already reduced the risk of fire ... thus ... DUH!
I know, John, you will probably be ticked at the Duh!, but so be it - I am pointing out that nothing was "eased", as you put it.