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Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCI)
AFCIs Prevent Home Fires
Over the last thirty years, our homes have been dramatically transformed by electrical devices; however, these same devices have
also contributed to the shocking number of electrical fires this country suffers every year. Many existing homes are simply
overwhelmed by today’s electrical demands, putting them at greater risk of arc faults and arc induced fires.
An arc fault is a dangerous electrical problem caused by damaged, overheated, or stressed electrical wiring or devices. Arc faults
can 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.
In the United States, arcing faults cause more than 30,000 home fires each year, resulting in hundreds of deaths and injuries and
more than $750 million in property damage. The solution to this problem is 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 Prevent Home Fires
Over the last thirty years, our homes have been dramatically transformed by electrical devices; however, these same devices have
also contributed to the shocking number of electrical fires this country suffers every year. Many existing homes are simply
overwhelmed by today’s electrical demands, putting them at greater risk of arc faults and arc induced fires.
An arc fault is a dangerous electrical problem caused by damaged, overheated, or stressed electrical wiring or devices. Arc faults
can 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.
In the United States, arcing faults cause more than 30,000 home fires each year, resulting in hundreds of deaths and injuries and
more than $750 million in property damage. The solution to this problem is 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.
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AFCIs and the 2008 NEC
The 2008 National Electrical Code has significantly expanded the requirements for AFCI protection in all new homes. However,
these new provisions do not become effective unless the Code is formally adopted into state and local electrical codes. State
adoption and enforcement of the 2008 NEC with its AFCI and TRR provisions in tact is key to preventing fires, protecting homes,
and saving lives.
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.
Safety advocates maintain that the added cost for AFCI protection is well worth the benefits the technology provides to the
homeowner.
Currently, 28 states have voted to adopt the 2008 NEC in its entirety, expanding or maintaining existing requirements for AFCI
installation. But 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.
The 2008 National Electrical Code has significantly expanded the requirements for AFCI protection in all new homes. However,
these new provisions do not become effective unless the Code is formally adopted into state and local electrical codes. State
adoption and enforcement of the 2008 NEC with its AFCI and TRR provisions in tact is key to preventing fires, protecting homes,
and saving lives.
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.
Safety advocates maintain that the added cost for AFCI protection is well worth the benefits the technology provides to the
homeowner.
Currently, 28 states have voted to adopt the 2008 NEC in its entirety, expanding or maintaining existing requirements for AFCI
installation. But 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.
Safety by Design
Arc fault circuit interrupters, or AFCIs, are devices that replace standard circuit breakers in your home’s electrical service panel.
Combination AFCIs provide a higher level of protection by detecting hazardous arcing conditions and shutting down the electricity
before a fire can start.
AFCIs offer greater protection than traditional breakers because they are equipped with advanced internal electronics that detect arc
fault hazards traditional breakers were not designed to recognize.
While AFCIs were previously only required to protect bedroom circuits, the new code requires this technology to be installed in
additional areas of the home, including dining rooms and living rooms.
Though the new safety requirements are limited to new home construction, AFCIs can provide increased protection in existing homes
as well. Since the probability of electrical fires increases with the age of the home, older homes with aging and deteriorating wiring
systems can especially benefit from the added protection offered by these devices.
Arc fault circuit interrupters, or AFCIs, are devices that replace standard circuit breakers in your home’s electrical service panel.
Combination AFCIs provide a higher level of protection by detecting hazardous arcing conditions and shutting down the electricity
before a fire can start.
AFCIs offer greater protection than traditional breakers because they are equipped with advanced internal electronics that detect arc
fault hazards traditional breakers were not designed to recognize.
While AFCIs were previously only required to protect bedroom circuits, the new code requires this technology to be installed in
additional areas of the home, including dining rooms and living rooms.
Though the new safety requirements are limited to new home construction, AFCIs can provide increased protection in existing homes
as well. Since the probability of electrical fires increases with the age of the home, older homes with aging and deteriorating wiring
systems can especially benefit from the added protection offered by these devices.