Ontario Arc-fault
CEC
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6,089 Posts
Not in Manitoba. Panel upgrades usually don't require additional work in the house
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7,205 Posts
I don't because the circuits often go all over the damn place and would probably be a nightmare, tripping all the time. I'm not in Ontario though.
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313 Posts
have only done that if the bedrooms didnt have other lights, other room devices on that circuit, 90% of the time, we did not
Some info. from ESA bulletins in Ontario.
Inconsistency in the application of Rule 26-722(f) has been identified where renovations and additions are being made to existing installations. The following questions & answers have been provided for clarification and direction as to appropriate installation methods to meet inspection requirements.
Question 2
When replacing knob and tube wiring or other ungrounded circuits to existing receptacle locations and not increasing the number of receptacles, are you required to install Arc Fault circuit interrupters on the circuits that include bedroom receptacles?
Note
Completely new branch circuits have been installed.
Answer 2
Yes, new branch circuits that supply receptacles in sleeping facilities of a dwelling unit shall be Code compliant and meet the minimum requirements of Rule 26-722(f) (protected by an AFCI).
Question 3
If one or more receptacles is added in a bedroom to an existing circuit and the existing branch circuit ahead of the new receptacles is not altered, are you required to install an Arc Fault circuit interrupter on the existing branch circuit?
Answer 3
No, AFCI protection is not required when up to two receptacles are added in a bedroom to an existing branch circuit, provided that the following conditions are met:
● There are no AFCI protected branch circuits in the bedroom
● The existing portion of the branch circuit is not being altered or replaced
● The total number of outlets in the circuit shall not exceed twelve
If the existing circuit already supplies twelve outlets and a new circuit is installed to supply the new receptacles, then the new circuit shall be AFCI protected. The existing receptacles would not require AFCI protection.
Question 4
If a service or panel is replaced or upgraded and there are no alterations to the branch circuit wiring, are Arc Fault circuit interrupters required to be installed for the existing branch circuits that include bedroom receptacles?
Answer 4
No, when the service is upgraded or replaced, AFCI protection does not need to be installed. The current Code requirement for AFCI protection does not retroactively apply to the existing bedroom wiring unless the bedroom branch circuit wiring is being upgraded as well.
ESA recommends that arc fault circuit interrupter protection be provided for existing bedroom wiring, however it is not mandatory.
Caution
In many older homes a smoke detector may be connected to a branch circuit that also supplies bedroom receptacles; Rule 32-110 does not permit a smoke detector to be supplied by a branch circuit that is AFCI protected.
New branch circuits supplying bedroom receptacles shall comply with the current Code requirements for AFCI protection.
Question 5
If a small bedroom addition is added to a home, complete with new branch circuit wiring, does the Code require arc fault circuit interrupter protection to be installed on the existing bedrooms as well?
Answer 5
No, the current Code requirement for AFCI protection is applied to the new branch circuit for receptacles in the new addition only; AFCI protection does not need to be added to the existing bedroom wiring.
ESA recommends that arc fault circuit interrupter protection be provided for existing circuits feeding receptacles in a bedroom, however it is not mandatory.
Question 6
Are receptacles that are installed in a walk-in closet that opens into a bedroom required to be supplied by an AFCI protected branch circuit?
Answer 6
![]()
No, the closet is considered a separate room. It is not considered as part of the bedroom (sleeping facility) and AFCI protection is not required for any receptacles installed in the closet.
(2) Alterations and/or additions to existing installations
Inconsistency in the application of Rule 26-722(f) has been identified where renovations and additions are being made to existing installations. The following questions & answers have been provided for clarification and direction as to appropriate installation methods to meet inspection requirements.
Question 2
When replacing knob and tube wiring or other ungrounded circuits to existing receptacle locations and not increasing the number of receptacles, are you required to install Arc Fault circuit interrupters on the circuits that include bedroom receptacles?
Note
Completely new branch circuits have been installed.
Answer 2
Yes, new branch circuits that supply receptacles in sleeping facilities of a dwelling unit shall be Code compliant and meet the minimum requirements of Rule 26-722(f) (protected by an AFCI).
Question 3
If one or more receptacles is added in a bedroom to an existing circuit and the existing branch circuit ahead of the new receptacles is not altered, are you required to install an Arc Fault circuit interrupter on the existing branch circuit?
Answer 3
No, AFCI protection is not required when up to two receptacles are added in a bedroom to an existing branch circuit, provided that the following conditions are met:
● There are no AFCI protected branch circuits in the bedroom
● The existing portion of the branch circuit is not being altered or replaced
● The total number of outlets in the circuit shall not exceed twelve
If the existing circuit already supplies twelve outlets and a new circuit is installed to supply the new receptacles, then the new circuit shall be AFCI protected. The existing receptacles would not require AFCI protection.
Question 4
If a service or panel is replaced or upgraded and there are no alterations to the branch circuit wiring, are Arc Fault circuit interrupters required to be installed for the existing branch circuits that include bedroom receptacles?
Answer 4
No, when the service is upgraded or replaced, AFCI protection does not need to be installed. The current Code requirement for AFCI protection does not retroactively apply to the existing bedroom wiring unless the bedroom branch circuit wiring is being upgraded as well.
ESA recommends that arc fault circuit interrupter protection be provided for existing bedroom wiring, however it is not mandatory.
Caution
In many older homes a smoke detector may be connected to a branch circuit that also supplies bedroom receptacles; Rule 32-110 does not permit a smoke detector to be supplied by a branch circuit that is AFCI protected.
New branch circuits supplying bedroom receptacles shall comply with the current Code requirements for AFCI protection.
Question 5
If a small bedroom addition is added to a home, complete with new branch circuit wiring, does the Code require arc fault circuit interrupter protection to be installed on the existing bedrooms as well?
Answer 5
No, the current Code requirement for AFCI protection is applied to the new branch circuit for receptacles in the new addition only; AFCI protection does not need to be added to the existing bedroom wiring.
ESA recommends that arc fault circuit interrupter protection be provided for existing circuits feeding receptacles in a bedroom, however it is not mandatory.
Question 6
Are receptacles that are installed in a walk-in closet that opens into a bedroom required to be supplied by an AFCI protected branch circuit?
Answer 6
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2,923 Posts
Why not, if you're being paid for it?
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313 Posts
never have done because they usually have lights on it as well
You are Canada...I am not, but I'll say that even if it is not code there...I would do it. Here, in the good ole USA, where we do it right, the 2014 code requires it. If you are a bone fide contractor...why shortchange your customer?
Just put it in and avoid a possible deficiency.
The code states the minimum requirements. Once you installed the Arc Fault Breakers, mention it to the customer that even not required by code, you're providing maximum protection to them and they're family. You might lose a few bucks at the moment, but word of mouth for possible future jobs can be golden.
Just an opinion,
The code states the minimum requirements. Once you installed the Arc Fault Breakers, mention it to the customer that even not required by code, you're providing maximum protection to them and they're family. You might lose a few bucks at the moment, but word of mouth for possible future jobs can be golden.
Just an opinion,
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