Arc-fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) have surely become required for installation in residences under the 2002 National Electrical Code(NEC) and are currently used in more and more applications. Obviously, questions have been raised regarding their application and even the need for them. There have been marketing pitches, technical opinions and, quite frankly, intentional misunderstanding floating around various industry channels. This article will bring out the truth about what AFCIs are and hopefully this will make you understand AFCI better.
AFCIs Prevent Home Fires
Over the last thirty years, our homes have been dramatically changed by modern electrical devices with the technology innovations; however, these devices have also contributed to the large number of electrical fires this country suffers year after year. Many existing homes are simply overwhelmed by today’s electrical demands without the corresponding safety protection, putting them at greater risk of arc faults and arc-induced fires. This is the thing we are going to discuss at this article, people need to upgrade their electrical devices to improve the safety levels as well.
An arc fault is a dangerous electrical problem mainly caused by damaged, overheated, or stressed electrical wiring or devices. Arc faults will usually occur when older wires become frayed or cracked, when a nail or screw damages a wire behind a wall, or when outlets or circuits are overburdened. Without the protection from latest electrical devices, we probably need to check these possible issues and maintain the house every year for peace of mind.
The open statistics show that arcing faults cause more than 30,000 home fires each year in the United States, resulting in hundreds of deaths and injuries and more than $750 million in property damage. The solution that can most likely to avoid problem is to use a combination arc fault circuit interrupter, or AFCI. The CPSC estimates that AFCIs could prevent more than 50 percent of the electrical fires that occur every year.
AFCIs and the NEC
The National Electrical Code has actually included significantly expanded requirements for AFCI protection in all new homes Since the 2008 edition. However, these new provisions do not become effective immediately unless the current edition of the Code is formally adopted into state and local electrical codes. State adoption and enforcement of the NEC with its AFCI intact is key to preventing fires, protecting homes, and saving lives. The problem can be really solved when all people are correctly using the AFCI.
Home builders in some states have challenged the increased requirements for AFCI technology, claiming that these devices will significantly increase the cost of a home while making very little difference in improving safety. In their mind, to upgrade the electrical safety devices will increase the budget but not offer additional safety protection.
Safety advocates think that the added cost for AFCI protection is well worth the benefits the technology provides to the homeowner. Depending on the size of a given home, the cost impact for installing additional AFCI protection in a home is $140 – $350, it’s not a very big cost compared with the possible loss.
The debate surrounding this technology has led some states to remove the additional AFCI requirements from the code during the adoption process. In 2005, Indiana became the first and only state to remove AFCI provisions that were originally included in the state’s electrical code. We believe that more and more states will start to use AFCI as newest safety protection with the popularization of technology.
Post time: Jan-11-2023