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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
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    Philadelphia PA
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    Default 20 Amp AFCI overfusing

    Today I inspected a "total rehab" with a new 200 Amp panel with a city inspection sticker on it.

    All of the AFCI circuit breakers were 20 Amp, with #14 conductors.

    Did this guy just not have any 15 Amp AFCIs in the truck? Why would someone think this was ok?

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  2. #2
    Robert Meier's Avatar
    Robert Meier Guest

    Default Re: 20 Amp AFCI overfusing

    A clear violation. NEC 240.4(D).


  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Spring City/Surrounding Philadelphia area
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    3,509

    Default Re: 20 Amp AFCI overfusing

    Drugs?

    "It takes a big man to cry. It takes an even bigger man to laugh at that man". - Jack Handey

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
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    WESTMINSTER CO
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    1,152

    Default Re: 20 Amp AFCI overfusing

    call the city inspector and ask wtf

    cvf


  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Mount Pleasant, SC
    Posts
    100

    Default Re: 20 Amp AFCI overfusing

    disregard

    Last edited by Mike Gault; 01-24-2012 at 07:51 AM. Reason: made no sense - referenced 240.4 (G)
    We know why you fly: because the bus is too expensive and the railroad has a dress code...
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  6. #6
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Western Massachusetts
    Posts
    536

    Default Re: 20 Amp AFCI overfusing

    Quote Originally Posted by John Arnold View Post
    Did this guy just not have any 15 Amp AFCIs in the truck?
    Probably. They're the same price and, well, it's a hassle driving back down to the supply shop.


  7. #7
    Robert Meier's Avatar
    Robert Meier Guest

    Default Re: 20 Amp AFCI overfusing

    Quote Originally Posted by John Arnold View Post

    Did this guy just not have any 15 Amp AFCIs in the truck? Why would someone think this was ok?
    Does he own a codebook?


  8. #8
    cuba_pete's Avatar
    cuba_pete Guest

    Default Re: 20 Amp AFCI overfusing

    Quote Originally Posted by Robert Meier View Post
    Does he own a codebook?
    Did the city inspector own a code book?


  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Virginia Beach, VA
    Posts
    123

    Default Re: 20 Amp AFCI overfusing

    Not to belabor the "knowns", 20 OPD with a 14 AWG conductor, but I am curious as to how you made the determination that these were 14 AWG conductors.

    Did you pull the panelboard cover and view the connections on the panelboard? Or do just about all of the conductors going into this panelboard have 14 AWG on the cable sheaths?


  10. #10
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Maryland
    Posts
    1,970

    Default Re: 20 Amp AFCI overfusing

    Based on this being a recent rehab it would not be had to see the gauge of the wiring used with type NM cables due to the color coding of the sheath. Also looking at a conductor you should be able to recognize the size.

    All answers based on unamended National Electrical codes.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Philadelphia PA
    Posts
    3,177

    Default Re: 20 Amp AFCI overfusing

    Quote Originally Posted by Donald Farrell View Post
    ...
    Did you pull the panelboard cover and view the connections on the panelboard? Or do just about all of the conductors going into this panelboard have 14 AWG on the cable sheaths?
    Yes, I pulled the cover and looked at the individual conductors and traced them to the cable sheathing, as Jim said.

    "There is no exception to the rule that every rule has an exception." -James Thurber, writer and cartoonist (1894-1961)
    www.ArnoldHomeInspections.com

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