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View Full Version : ARCI vs. GFCI


Jim Saucier
05-08-2010, 02:50 PM
Can an Arc Fault breaker be used instead of a Ground Fault breaker for bathrooms, etc.?

Also, I read that they passed a code for using ARCI breakers throughout the house. Does anyone have a take on this?
Rick Cantrell
05-08-2010, 04:19 PM
"Can an Arc Fault breaker be used instead of a Ground Fault breaker for bathrooms, etc.?"

No

"Also, I read that they passed a code for using ARCI breakers throughout the house. Does anyone have a take on this?"

Depends on what code edition is being used in your area.
Nolan Kienitz
05-08-2010, 04:35 PM
Repeating Rick's reply. AFCI's cannot replace GFCIs.

It is an AFCI ... NOT and ARCI ... BTW.

The AFCI actually has 5-functions that it is performing and one of them is a GFCI function, but it is not programmed to trip as quickly as the actual GFCI does.

Just because it has that feature built into the Combination AFCI functionality does not mean it can replace a GFCI.

The 2008 NEC requires AFCI's principally in almost all areas not protected by the GFCI requirement, but you have to read the details as there are still "some" areas that do not require the AFCI.

That may be changed in the next NEC code cycle as they implement changes in steps at a time in many cases.
chris mcintyre
05-08-2010, 05:57 PM
Can an Arc Fault breaker be used instead of a Ground Fault breaker for bathrooms, etc.?

Also, I read that they passed a code for using ARCI breakers throughout the house. Does anyone have a take on this?


Jim, you might want to check out this older thread.

http://www.inspectionnews.net/home_inspection/electrical-systems-home-inspection-commercial-inspection/4562-afci-versus-gfci.html
Jim Luttrall
05-08-2010, 07:34 PM
Can an Arc Fault breaker be used instead of a Ground Fault breaker for bathrooms, etc.?

Also, I read that they passed a code for using ARCI breakers throughout the house. Does anyone have a take on this?

No.

As Nolan and I can attest from a recent TPREIA continuing ed class, the most recent versions of the AFCI device is called a combination AFCI and does have a GFCI component but it is a different animal than the dedicated GFCI device due to the much higher trip value. The AFCI is not intended as a protection device for people (not directly anyway), the integral GFCI is part of the Arc Fault protection circuitry.