Should the smoke detector be wired to the AFCI curcuit? I have seen it both ways and it gets a little confusing sometimes.

All bedroom outlets (includes smoke detectors) should be AFCI protected.
Jim

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Jim Luttrall
Mr. Inspector.net, Inc.
Allen, Texas 75002

That is what I thought I even pulled the battery out to see if the light went off but no luck so it was not AFCI protected. I put a call into the county just to make sure but no call back yet.

Thanks for the fast response.

Mike

I can't quote the code Tim but that one won't work except for Mobile or Modular homes... got another one?
Jim

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Jim Luttrall
Mr. Inspector.net, Inc.
Allen, Texas 75002

Thanks Jim,

Reading one while copy/pasting another. duh.

Let's try this one.

From the 02 NEC:

(B) Dwelling Unit Bedrooms. All branch circuits that supply 125-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-ampere outlets installed in dwelling unit bedrooms shall be protected by an arc-fault circuit interrupter listed to provide protection of the entire branch circuit.

The definition of arc-fault circuit interrupter given in 210.12(A) explains its function. The basic objective is to de-energize the branch circuit when an arc-fault is detected.
Arc-fault circuit interrupters are evaluated to UL 1699, Safety Standard for Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupter, using testing methods that create or simulate arcing conditions to determine the product's ability to detect and interrupt arcing faults. These devices are also tested to verify that arc detection is not unduly inhibited by the presence of loads and circuit characteristics that may mask the hazardous arcing condition. In addition, these devices are evaluated to determine resistance to unwanted tripping due to the presence of arcing that occurs in control and utilization equipment under normal operating conditions or to a loading condition that closely mimics an arcing fault, such as a solid-state electronic ballast or a dimmed load.
UL 1699 is the standard covering arc-fault devices that have a maximum rating of 20 amperes intended for use in 120-volt ac, 60 Hz circuits. These devices may also include the capability to perform other functions such as overcurrent protection, ground-fault circuit-interruption, and surge suppression. UL 1699 currently recognizes five types of arc-fault circuit interrupters: the branch/feeder AFCI, combination AFCI, cord AFCI, outlet AFCI, and portable AFCI. Placement of the device in the circuit and a review of the UL guide information must be considered when complying with 210.12. The NEC is clear that the objective is to provide protection of the entire branch circuit. (See Article 100 for the definition of branch circuit.) For instance, a cord AFCI could not be used to comply with the requirement of 210.12 to protect the entire branch circuit.
Section 210.12 requires that AFCI protection be provided on branch circuits that supply outlets (receptacle, lighting, etc.) in dwelling unit bedrooms. The requirement is limited to 15- and 20-ampere 125-volt circuits. There is no prohibition against providing AFCI protection on other circuits or in locations other than bedrooms. Because circuits are often shared between a bedroom and other areas such as closets and hallways, providing AFCI protection on the complete circuit would comply with 210.12.

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Tim Moreira
Suncoast Home Inspections
Suncoasthomeinspections@yahoo.com

Mike,

You have to be a little careful with the requirements, as directed by the NEC.

If the home was built before Jan 1, 2002 (and after 1999)... more than likely, you are going to have the AFCI's installed at the receptacles only.

The 2002 NEC changed to include "the entire branch circuit", which includes the receptacles, lights and smoke detectors.
___________________________________________
The 1999 N.E.C., 21-12 Arc-Fault Circuit-Interrupter Protection
a. Definition. An arc fault circuit interrupter is a device intended to provide protection from the effects of arc faults by recognizing characteristics unique to arcing and by functioning to de-energize the circuit when an arc fault is detected.
b. Dwelling Unit Bedrooms. All branch circuits that supply 125 volt, single phase, 15 and 20 amp receptacle outlets installed in dwelling unit bedrooms shall be protected by an A.F.C.I. This requirement shall become effective January 1, 2002.
___________________________________________

The 2002 N.E.C., Per 210.12 Arc-Fault Circuit-Interrupter Protection,“All branch circuits that supply 125-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20- ampere outlets installed in dwelling unit bedrooms shall be protected by an AFCI listed to provide protection of the entire branch circuit.” The 2002 NEC removed the word receptacle from the 1999 version, thus, making the requirement so that all “outlets” (see Definition) shall be AFCI protected in bedrooms.

Definition of “Outlet”: the NEC defines "outlet" 'a point on the wiring system at which current is taken'.Rich

As others have said Yes, smoke alarms should be on the rooms AFCI circuit. IMO, this is a stupid rule or code. Just my opinion for what it is worth, I just don't see the logic behind it. You are putting a life saving device on a circuit that could be turned off by.

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Scott Patterson
Spring Hill, TN
http://www.traceinspections.com

Smoke alarms on an AFCI circuit should have an integrated Battery Backup.

If not, it is noted as Deficient.

Ok thanks this is a new home and does have battery backup So I have recommended that they be AFCI protected but will also talk to the county to get it sealed for this area.

Thanks guys it is a pleasure being on this board and talking to you guys.

Mike

No problem...

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Joseph P. Hagarty
Main Line Inspections, Inc.
http://www.householdinspector.com

Joe, that is a very good point.

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Scott Patterson
Spring Hill, TN
http://www.traceinspections.com

I just got off the phone with washington county in Oregon and they said that the smoke alarms do not have to be on AFCI protected curcuits it is optional. So Thats the story from my part of the world in Oregon.

Not required but is optional as long as it has a battery backup.

Mike,

Tell them to go back and "read" the NEC.

It is not "optional", it is "required".

Of course, if they cannot read, then the entire NEC is, I guess, "optional".

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Jerry Peck, Construction / Litigation Consultant
Construction Litigation Consultants, LLC ( www.ConstructionLitigationConsultants.com )

Scott,

I've been explaining (trying to explain) that for the past few years, guess Joe said it better.

Thanks Joe.

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Jerry Peck, Construction / Litigation Consultant
Construction Litigation Consultants, LLC ( www.ConstructionLitigationConsultants.com )

No, you did well! I still don't like it. But, folks need to listen to those that agree with it, as that is the proper way.

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Scott Patterson
Spring Hill, TN
http://www.traceinspections.com

Scott,

I don't understand what you could not like about it.

First, if there is an arc in the smoke detector circuit, and that is the only way the AFCI will trip off, then that arc could be the cause of the fire which you would rely on that smoke detector to detect.

Trip the AFCI and you cut power to the circuit which is having the arc, thereby removing the energy source which would cause the fire. Thereby not needed the smoke detector to detect anything.

Second, if the arc had 'already' caused the fire, the smoke detector is still functional and will still detect that fire.

Third, if the AFCI trips off and there is no fire, the smoke detector goes into battery backup mode anyway. When the battery runs down, it chirps like it would when the battery runs down.

I cannot figure out or understand what you, and others who agree with you, "don't like" about having smoke detectors on AFCI breakers.

It really is the best of both worlds. Offers the best protection from an arc causing a fire and offers the best protection for detecting that fire.

Consider this: Should the fire originate somewhere else and burn through the insulation, shorting or ground faulting that same circuit out, thereby removing power to the smoke detector circuit, you are relying on the battery backup for detection, right? That's always been the intent anyway. So, now we have that same scenario, except that we are not trying to remove power to that circuit which is arcing and potentially causing the fire which would short or ground fault that circuit out anyway.

What's the difference?

What's there not to like about it?

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Jerry Peck, Construction / Litigation Consultant
Construction Litigation Consultants, LLC ( www.ConstructionLitigationConsultants.com )

I know it makes perfect sense and is logical. It's a quark I have. I wonder how many smoke alarms have been linked to fires due to arcing?

I think it is 2008 or 2010 that the NEC wants to make all outlets in the home AFCI protected. I believe I heard this from Douglas Hansen in 2005 at the ITA show in Vegas.

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Scott Patterson
Spring Hill, TN
http://www.traceinspections.com

[quote=Scott Patterson;1494]I know it makes perfect sense and is logical. It's a quark I have. I wonder how many smoke alarms have been linked to fires due to arcing?

Scott,
Not many, I would guess, but wouldn't it be the height of irony if the house was to burn due to a short in the smoke detector?

Wouldn't there have had to be a history of arc related causes for fires for there to even be a device to protect us from them?

Attached Images

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