[luweee]

With the new NEC code 2008, which I only know by hear say, can you use a AFCI ckt brkr vice the GFCI ckt breaker?

 

[Speedy Petey]

...can you use a AFCI ckt brkr vice the GFCI ckt breaker?

Are you asking if you can use an AFCI versus a GFCI breaker?
If so, then NO, not for a bath receptacle.

You can use a GFI receptacle fed from an AFCI breaker if you really had to, but there is no valid reason for doing this.

 

[luweee]

I must not understand this properly then.

I installed a 20 AMP AFCI ckt breaker at the circuit panel.
I then installed a GFCI receptacle in the bathroom.

Is this a correct installation??
Thanks

 

[Scuba_Dave]

Bathroom is only required to be GFCI protected

 

[Speedy Petey]

Bathroom is only required to be GFCI protected

Right.
And you CANNOT mix a bath receptacle circuit with other rooms, so an AFCI breaker is completely unnecessary.

 

[frenchelectrican]

The bathroom circuits are required have GFCI recepale or breaker but not the AFCI it not needed at all.

{ Ditto for kitchen applaince circuits as well }

Merci,Marc

 

[luweee]

I only have the bathroom on this ckt.
I over did it, I hae an AFCI ckt brkr and a GFCI receptacle in the bathroom.
But it is okay to have it on a AFCI, correct?

 

[nap]

yes, it is.


but to all the other gurus:

I do not have my '08 handy at the moment and have not had to deal with AFCI as my work is commercial/industrial but;

what about the AFCI requirement in the '08 code for full house install? OP never said if this is new or existing

 

[kbsparky]

Doesn't matter, if it is a new house or old. Fact is, the OP can install an AFCI breaker for a bathroom GFCI outlet, if he wants to.

The Code does not require this but does not prohibit this either. :whistling2:

 

[theatretch85]

On my recent basement re-wire and main panel replacement, I wired the entire bathroom on its own 20 amp standard circuit (non-GFCI/AFCI) and just simply installed a GFCI outlet independent of the lights.

For my wet bar area, since there is an outlet behind the fridge, behind the bar (on the wall, will be under some shelving) and continues around to where it will eventually be fed into the bar itself for some counter-top outlets I put that circuit on an AFCI breaker and used GFCI outlets. I wasn't sure if it was required to be AFCI because of where some of the outlets for that circuit are in the family room downstairs.

Also, I was required to install at least one GFCI outlet in the un-finished area of the entry way from the garage in the basement, along with a couple other outlets in and around the laundry room area and down the hallway. Probably 6 or 7 outlets and most are GFCI or GFCI protected standard outlets (tamper resistant of course) and this circuit is also a AFCI circuit since there was one outlet installed in the hallway part of the "living space". Eventually the entry way will be all finished off and I can probably remove some of the GFCI outlets and use them out in the garage instead when I add some additional power out there.

Bottom Line, it certaintly won't hurt to have the AFCI protection, I haven't had ANY issues with nuisance tripping like I was fearful of (I've installed 6 AFCI circuits so far here), just overload tripping (20 amp circuit via 12 gauge extension cord to the garage with table saw, air compressor and miter saw doesn't work too well).

 

[williamj001]

I had an inspector make us put a AFCI Breaker on a GFI outlet in the bathroom because there was no door that separated the bedroom and the bathroom.

 

[Speedy Petey]

what about the AFCI requirement in the '08 code for full house install? OP never said if this is new or existing

The new "whole house" requirements are greatly exaggerated. Very basically, areas that require GFI protection do not require AFCI protection.

I had an inspector make us put a AFCI Breaker on a GFI outlet in the bathroom because there was no door that separated the bedroom and the bathroom.

He was wrong IMO. A bathroom is still a bathroom. Door or no door.
That is like saying a bathroom with a walk out shower would make the whole room a shower. If that were the case you would not be allowed any switching or receptacles.

 

[wirenut1110]

I had an inspector make us put a AFCI Breaker on a GFI outlet in the bathroom because there was no door that separated the bedroom and the bathroom.

That's funny, I had one try that on me, not because of the door issue but because it was "connected" to the bedroom. I was like "well so does the great room and the great room's connected to the kitchen and the kitchen is connected to....so, where does it end"? He then changed his mind.

 

[nap]

The new "whole house" requirements are greatly exaggerated. Very basically, areas that require GFI protection do not require AFCI protection.

.

thanks. It had been awhile since I had dealt with the AFCI stuff. Not applicable in my arena.

 

[williamj001]

i just remembered that it was the other way around, I had to install a GFI on the AFCI crucit and the bathroom remained only the GFI.