[bigdan1]

I can't remember the last time I did any residential work, but we are adopting the 2011 NEC in March and I will be wiring a house with some kids for habitat for humanity. If I am reading the 2011 NEC correctly AFCI's will be required on all Branch Circuits 120v 15 and 20 amps. I assume this includes garbage disposals, gas ranges, 120v heat strips, etc even if their dedicated circuits. Also I heard that disposals must be GFCI protected, but I don't see that in the code book. I would think that it wouldn't need it since it is fastened in place and not serving the counter surface. I have a call into the AHJ but was hoping to finish the material list on this rainy Saturday. Any help would be appreciated.

On a side note with all the AFCI's required has anybody started using the panels with a neutral buss instead of the AFCI's with the pig tail? What do you think of them? I am sure there is an extra cost.

 

[electricmanscott]

Sounds like you're reading the '14 NEC. Kitchen circuits not required to be AFCI under '11

 

[bigdan1]

Duh, Your right. Doesn't mention bathrooms either.

 

[Electrical Student]

Might want to look into master or all bedrooms for arc faults though. As well as t.r. receptacles through out. Here in Philly their are tons of little counties surrounding us, with their own interpretation of the codes. You also may want to grab the handbook. It highlights all the major code changes. Complete with all the explanations of how to comply.

 

[Electrical Student]

HEY 200! ! ! ! check me out. Thanks for all the info guys. I dont want to know how you guys did it without all this information available. I cant imagine life without e.t. I check it in the middle of all my electrical arguments. If I wasn't right in the beginning, I will be by the end.! Lol
seriously though if their are still guys out there not taking advantage of this or a similar site, well I guess they get what they deserve. THANKS AGAIN

 

[southernelectric30]

I can't remember the last time I did any residential work, but we are adopting the 2011 NEC in March and I will be wiring a house with some kids for habitat for humanity. If I am reading the 2011 NEC correctly AFCI's will be required on all Branch Circuits 120v 15 and 20 amps. I assume this includes garbage disposals, gas ranges, 120v heat strips, etc even if their dedicated circuits. Also I heard that disposals must be GFCI protected, but I don't see that in the code book. I would think that it wouldn't need it since it is fastened in place and not serving the counter surface. I have a call into the AHJ but was hoping to finish the material list on this rainy Saturday. Any help would be appreciated.

On a side note with all the AFCI's required has anybody started using the panels with a neutral buss instead of the AFCI's with the pig tail? What do you think of them? I am sure there is an extra cost.

Check with your local AHJ.

But garbage disposals and dishwashers do not need to be on AFCI's. Disposals on a GFCI is new in '14.

The circuit needs to be AFCI protected, Bedrooms, Living Rooms, Foyer, Hallways, Dining, Sun Room. Your heavy wire circuit for your dryer, range, W/H, HVAC obviously don't have to be. Or if its a dedicated circuit for your fridge, under mount microwave, washer. Garages and bathrooms don't have to be AFCI, but they are protected by your GFCI's accordingly.

Don't forget about all your smokes/CO2's that need to be hardwired in with each other with battery backups.

Good luck. Unless you've done this before with volunteer help from H4H, i think you might end up pulling all your hair out.

 

[RGH]

I would call the local AHJ ask when is a good time to talk to him about this project maybe 10-15 mins. of his time. My local guys are great I call them like that every so often for out of the ordinary stuff. I bet they will be happy to help for this one in a second:thumbsup:.

 

[geo5509]

Have you bought the permit yet? If you have the you will fall under the '08. Also what part of Va are you in?

 

[Sparky J]

Yes I agree with Geo above it expends upon where you are and what they are enforcing. Here it's still only bedroom items that require AFCI protection.

 

[backstay]

I can't remember the last time I did any residential work, but we are adopting the 2011 NEC in March and I will be wiring a house with some kids for habitat for humanity. If I am reading the 2011 NEC correctly AFCI's will be required on all Branch Circuits 120v 15 and 20 amps. I assume this includes garbage disposals, gas ranges, 120v heat strips, etc even if their dedicated circuits. Also I heard that disposals must be GFCI protected, but I don't see that in the code book. I would think that it wouldn't need it since it is fastened in place and not serving the counter surface. I have a call into the AHJ but was hoping to finish the material list on this rainy Saturday. Any help would be appreciated.

On a side note with all the AFCI's required has anybody started using the panels with a neutral buss instead of the AFCI's with the pig tail? What do you think of them? I am sure there is an extra cost.

Did this once, will never do it again.

 

[Sparky J]

Check it with the AHJ, generally statewide Richmond (if they are gonna) changes stuff in March every three years. I can't remember I think they are 3 years behind so we'd be in 2011 this March. But it also depends on what they adopt.

 

[bigdan1]

Thanks for all the replies we are on 2008 until march and right now bedrooms are all that's required. However this building won't actually get started till April. Here they usually give us 6 months to make everything up to the new code standards has well. I just wanted to make sure I was on track here. I am still curious about the panels with the neutral buss that afci breaker slides over. Any experiences?

 

[chicken steve]

Everyone loves to split hairs on acfi usage, it's happened every code cycle since the '99

thing is, you'll only be cited for omitting, not including it

so what if you've got your kitchen lights on an afci ?

A good blanket overview would be to simply consider any resi 120V either on afci of gfci protection

the smokes too , someone posted an nfpa doc detailing the battery bu as the answer to that infernal chicken/egg debate

~CS~

 

[local134gt]

HEY 200! ! ! ! check me out. Thanks for all the info guys. I dont want to know how you guys did it without all this information available. I cant imagine life without e.t. I check it in the middle of all my electrical arguments. If I wasn't right in the beginning, I will be by the end.! Lol
seriously though if their are still guys out there not taking advantage of this or a similar site, well I guess they get what they deserve. THANKS AGAIN

How many of your 200 posts are thread hijacks like this one? Haha

 

[backstay]

Thanks for all the replies we are on 2008 until march and right now bedrooms are all that's required. However this building won't actually get started till April. Here they usually give us 6 months to make everything up to the new code standards has well. I just wanted to make sure I was on track here. I am still curious about the panels with the neutral buss that afci breaker slides over. Any experiences?

I used a CH panel that had the plug on neutral buss. It's faster and cleaner, but not worth the money in panel and breaker costs.

 

[bigdan1]

I used a CH panel that had the plug on neutral buss. It's faster and cleaner, but not worth the money in panel and breaker costs.

I wondered about this I haven't had time to call about the pricing.

 

[wendon]

I wondered about this I haven't had time to call about the pricing.

I don't know what kind of pricing you've got but I use the Square D panel w/plug on option. I'd never use a standard one again if you've got AFCI's involved. My breaker price is the same for the QO120 PCAFI as the regular QO 120 CAFI. The panel is available in a 42 space up to a 54 space (I think that's correct) The price isn't all that out of line either.

 

[chicken steve]

We should see them in supply houses here about the same time you folks start bragging about flying cars.....~CS~

 

[bmailman20]

I don't know what kind of pricing you've got but I use the Square D panel w/plug on option. I'd never use a standard one again if you've got AFCI's involved. My breaker price is the same for the QO120 PCAFI as the regular QO 120 CAFI. The panel is available in a 42 space up to a 54 space (I think that's correct) The price isn't all that out of line either.

The QO 54 ckt with plug on neutral is all we've been using, and they're a real joy to work with. I'm not sure about he cost, but if they were really ghost much more we wouldn't be using them. My 2 observations/complaints are 1) they don't make gfi breakers yet without the pigtail. 2) I was hoping that the AFCI breaker without the pigtail would be a little smaller than the old style.
These will be even more helpful in coming years when EVERYTHING has to be on an ArcFault.

 

[A Little Short]

I wondered about this I haven't had time to call about the pricing.

Around here, if doing a Habitat house, all the supplies are donated. We don't have a choice of what to install. That's unless a SH has offered to donate something. Then they might give us a choice, but definitely not the most expensive thing such as the panel and AFCIs you are talking about.