GFCI/ARC fault/ dual function breaker

1317 Views 23 Replies 11 Participants Last post by Greg Sparkovich, 14 d ago

ztek.elektryk

Discussion Starter · 2 mo ago

Hello my electrician friends,
I am working on a project and have question on breakers that I will have to use.
1. Smoke detectors (6 total hard wired 120 v) connected inside electrical panel with 10 LED recessed lights (on a 20-amp ARC fault breaker)
2.Garbage disposal with regular 20-amp receptacle under sink protected with 20-amp GFCI breaker (own circuit)
3.Dishwasher with regular 20-amp receptacle under the sink protected with 20-amp GFCI breaker (own circuit)
4.Kitchen lights (4 LED) and 16ft of tape lights with 120v transformer in assessable cabinet and few pendent lights and fan in family room protected with 20- amp dual function breaker.
5.Refrigerator i think it might be 6 ft away from sink so regular breaker but if not protected by GFCI breaker.
6.Counter existing receptacle protected by GFCI breaker just adding two new receptacle that will be protected by GFCI receptacle in the counter will be fed from 20-amp regular breaker.
7. Receptacle in family room and hallway protected by 20-amp arc fault breaker.
8. Running new circuit for two receptacles in bathroom for double vanity that will be protected by GFCI receptacle (regular breaker in panel) and running new circuit for lights in the bathroom that will feed two vanity lights and 3 recessed lights in the bathroom and exhaust fan (homerun in the panel will be regular breaker or do I need arc fault?)

Can someone explain it to me if I am correct on the breakers in particular situations. Thank you for the help

1 - 20 of 24 Posts

ztek.elektryk

Discussion Starter · #2 · 2 mo ago

ztek.elektryk said:
Hello my electrician friends,
I am working on a project and have question on breakers that I will have to use.
1. Smoke detectors (6 total hard wired 120 v) connected inside electrical panel with 10 LED recessed lights (on a 20-amp ARC fault breaker)
2.Garbage disposal with regular 20-amp receptacle under sink protected with 20-amp GFCI breaker (own circuit)
3.Dishwasher with regular 20-amp receptacle under the sink protected with 20-amp GFCI breaker (own circuit)
4.Kitchen lights (4 LED) and 16ft of tape lights with 120v transformer in assessable cabinet and few pendent lights and fan in family room protected with 20- amp dual function breaker.
5.Refrigerator i think it might be 6 ft away from sink so regular breaker but if not protected by GFCI breaker.
6.Counter existing receptacle protected by GFCI breaker just adding two new receptacle that will be protected by GFCI receptacle in the counter will be fed from 20-amp regular breaker.
7. Receptacle in family room and hallway protected by 20-amp arc fault breaker.
8. Running new circuit for two receptacles in bathroom for double vanity that will be protected by GFCI receptacle (regular breaker in panel) and running new circuit for lights in the bathroom that will feed two vanity lights and 3 recessed lights in the bathroom and exhaust fan (homerun in the panel will be regular breaker or do I need arc fault?)

Can someone explain it to me if I am correct on the breakers in particular situations. Thank you for the help

I forgot to mention that I am located in New Jersey.

Viggmundir

· #3 · 2 mo ago

What does your code book say?

Reactions: 2

backstay

· #4 · 2 mo ago

What year code cycle?

Reactions: 1

kbatku

· #5 · 2 mo ago

Where's Dennis when you need him?

Reactions: 2

ztek.elektryk

Discussion Starter · #6 · 2 mo ago

I am trying to better understand where to use dual function vs arc or gfci breaker. Thanks for help

Dennis Alwon

· #7 · 2 mo ago

kbatku said:
Where's Dennis when you need him?

sleeping- sick with some bug...

Reactions: 1

Dennis Alwon

· #8 · 2 mo ago

ztek.elektryk said:
I am trying to better understand where to use dual function vs arc or gfci breaker. Thanks for help

Are you an electrician? or are you working for an electrician. Gfci has been around quite a while and is in 210.8
AFCI are in 210.12.
It is hard for us to write every place they are required.

ztek.elektryk

Discussion Starter · #9 · 2 mo ago

In this particular problem I have and yess I am license electrician in NJ

ztek.elektryk

Discussion Starter · #10 · 2 mo ago

I understand arc fault and gfci but what about dual function breaker?

lighterup

· #11 · 2 mo ago

DF is used when both codes apply. For instance , the
laundry room requires afci , the washing machine requires
a gfci (because its usually right next to a sink which is a 3rd
code reference), so i just put the 120 v washing machine
(wersher if your in western PA) on a DF so3 codes are
actually covered.

Reactions: 1

backstay

· #12 · 2 mo ago

Dual function breakers are cheaper than arcfault breakers and gfci receptacles. Kitchen gets them, and laundry.

nrp3

· #13 · 2 mo ago

And often a gfci receptacle at the appliance is not considered accessible so hence the reason for dual function. Disposal, dishwasher and fridge are good examples.

Dennis Alwon

· #14 · 2 mo ago

Even if you run a circuit to counter top receptacle they are required to he gfci and afci. Many would use the afci at the panel and gfci at the first outlet however a dual function breaker would also satisfy the nec.

I also agree with @nrp3

nrp3

· #15 · 2 mo ago

And again, as others have said the dual function is less expensive than a afci breaker and gfci receptacle.

ztek.elektryk

Discussion Starter · #16 · 2 mo ago

Would the breaker trip on afci for garbage and dishwasher ?

Viggmundir

· #17 · 2 mo ago (Edited)

nrp3 said:
And again, as others have said the dual function is less expensive than a afci breaker and gfci receptacle.

Not always...
My supplier has dual function for $144.70, while the AFCI only breaker is $84.14. A GFCI receptacle is a lot cheaper then $60...

Local hardware store is $149.99 for the AFCI only breaker, and $179.99 for a GFCI breaker. They don't carry the dual function.
Home Depot 1.5hrs from me is $145 for AFCI, $125 for GFCI, and $181 for the dual function.

nrp3

· #18 · 2 mo ago

www.homedepot.com

Siemens 20 Amp AFCI/GFCI Dual Function Circuit Breaker Q120DFP - The Home Depot

The Dual Function Circuit Breaker combines Class A 5mA GFCI and Combination Type AFCI, protecting against both Arc Faults and Ground Faults. This, along with the new Self-Test feature, makes it the first

www.homedepot.com

$62.52

www.homedepot.com

Siemens 20 Amp 1 in. Single-Pole Combination AFCI Circuit Breaker US2:QA120AFCP - The Home Depot

This Siemens 20-Amp 1 in. Single-Pole Combination AFCI Circuit Breaker trips to the center position and features LED trip indicators. This combination breaker is intended for use as a circuit breaker and AFCI device. This breaker is UL listed.

www.homedepot.com

$57.70

Fairly representative of pricing down here

Reactions: 1

Viggmundir

· #19 · 2 mo ago

nrp3 said:
Siemens 20 Amp AFCI/GFCI Dual Function Circuit Breaker Q120DFP - The Home Depot

The Dual Function Circuit Breaker combines Class A 5mA GFCI and Combination Type AFCI, protecting against both Arc Faults and Ground Faults. This, along with the new Self-Test feature, makes it the first

www.homedepot.com

$62.52

Siemens 20 Amp 1 in. Single-Pole Combination AFCI Circuit Breaker US2:QA120AFCP - The Home Depot

This Siemens 20-Amp 1 in. Single-Pole Combination AFCI Circuit Breaker trips to the center position and features LED trip indicators. This combination breaker is intended for use as a circuit breaker and AFCI device. This breaker is UL listed.

www.homedepot.com

$57.70

Fairly representative of pricing down here

Wow, that's a difference! And my prices were for 1 pole 15A breakers, yours are 20A.

nrp3

· #20 · 2 mo ago

I know the exchange rate may have a little to do with the difference but don’t think it’s that much.

Reactions: 1

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