AFCI Exception

[Ken Amelin]

I inspected a home that had new service equipment.

I noticed that there were no AFCI breakers in the panel. I questioned this and the electrician told me that an amendment was made to the electrical code that states - AFCI breakers are not required for a service upgrade??

Can anyone confirm and provide the language for this exception?
Thanx

[Jerry Peck]

There is no exception because there is no requirement.

Replacing the service has nothing to do with the circuits needing AFCI protection.

*Installing new circuits* would be different, were any "new" circuits installed? If so, *those* new circuits would require AFCI protection.

[Bill Kriegh]

There does appear to be a violation of the requirement for the cables to be secured within 12" of the panel.