Won't an all AFCI Panel Get HOT !

[Bob Sisson]

With the new 2008 requirement extending the use of AFCI type breakers to all living spaces generate some serious heat in the electrical panel? Won't this cause a lot of nusance tripping in the other utility circuits, and cause even the AFCI breakers to age faster?

With just 5 AFCI breakers I was seeing over a 30 deg rise.

Due to Heat rising, each breaker was about 5-6 Deg warmer than the one below it.

[Jerry Peck]

Bob,

That is supposed to 'not be a problem' with the new AFCI breakers (they are supposed to use less energy within themselves, thus produce less heat).

Only time will tell.

Besides, 5-6 degrees *is nothing* compared to what they are rated for.

[Ron Bibler]

The key to that is what Jerry stated. what they are rated for. Can you adjust you spot. and repost that image?

Best

Ron

[Bob Sisson]

That image is raw off the camera, I will try to locate the analyzing software and re-spot the image and re-post it...may take a bit...

But at 6-deg PER space, the top of a 10 breaker stack might be kind of toasty...

[Jerry Peck]

But at 6-deg PER space,

That 6 degrees per space is not additive.

You have to consider the ventilation, heat capabilities of the materials, including the breakers themselves, many things come into play.

The overall heat rise within the panel is considered. There may be a heat rise for each breaker, but it would be much higher than the overall heat rise for the enclosure due to the enclosures ability to ventilate and heat sink that heat away.

[Ron Bibler]

Did you put this system under a load ? what is the out door temp ?

I would put this under a load check before and then after ? the heat that you see is from in the back or between. put up a spot for each gap.

Best

Ron

[Bob Sisson]

This is a brand new house with absolutely NO load. Ambient temp was low 70's. I was doing the final walkthrough. Had the thermal out because there had been a flood and they wanted to look for wet spots....