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View Full Version : Can AFCI breaker have two wires?


Lance Rogers
10-19-2010, 04:03 PM
Can the AFCI breaker have two hot wires installed into one lug? Thanks
Bill Kriegh
10-19-2010, 04:47 PM
The lug on the breaker is listed for a single conductor. The correct way to wire this would be to install a pigtail on the breaker and wire nut the 2 conductors to it.

This "fix" appears to have been made to Get AFCI protection on a multiwire branch circuit. GE makes a new style AFCI that can be used on this type circuit - two are used and only one requires the neutral connection, but a handle tie is required between the two.
Corn Walker
10-19-2010, 06:37 PM
You should also note whether that Siemens AFCI breaker is allowed to be used in that enclosure.
Benjamin Thompson
10-20-2010, 06:42 AM
The lug on the breaker is listed for a single conductor. The correct way to wire this would be to install a pigtail on the breaker and wire nut the 2 conductors to it.

This "fix" appears to have been made to Get AFCI protection on a multiwire branch circuit. GE makes a new style AFCI that can be used on this type circuit - two are used and only one requires the neutral connection, but a handle tie is required between the two.

If that's a multiwire circuits, the double tap is the least of the problems. With the circuits on the same phase the neutral will be overloaded. The fix for sure wound not be to pigtail the circuits together!
Bill Kriegh
10-20-2010, 07:33 AM
If that's a multiwire circuits, the double tap is the least of the problems. With the circuits on the same phase the neutral will be overloaded. The fix for sure wound not be to pigtail the circuits together!

That would be true if the two hot wires were on separate breakers. Since they are on the same breaker the neutral won't see an overload. If the AFCI was a 20 AMP variety there might be an issue depending on the circuit conductors size.
Benjamin Thompson
10-20-2010, 07:46 PM
Good point, I "forgot" about the circuit breaker that would trip in an overload situation.
I guess if you consider what an AFCI breaker is supposed to do, there wouldn't be a problem connecting 2 wires as the issue with 2 wires is arcing. If you are going to double tap a breaker, the AFCI would be the one to double tap.
H.G. Watson, Sr.
10-20-2010, 08:25 PM
The default rule is ONE per terminal, connector, lug, etc. when it comes to conductors; UNLESS INDICATED for more than one. INDICATED means marked or labeled.