AFCI’s What Are They and Why Do You Need Them


Situations in which arcs may be created:
- electrical cords damaged by vacuum cleaners or trapped beneath furniture or doors.
- damage to wire insulation from nails or screws driven through walls.
- appliance cords damaged by heat, natural aging, kinking, impact or over-extension.
- spillage of liquid.
- loose connections in outlets, switches and light fixtures.
E3802.12 Arc-Fault Protection of Bedroom Outlets. All branch circuits that supply120-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-amp outlets installed in bedrooms shall be protected by a combination-type or branch/feeder-type arc-fault circuit interrupter installed to provide protection of the entire branch circuit.
Exception: The location of the arc-fault circuit interrupter shall be permitted to be at other than the origination of the branch circuit, provided that:
- The arc-fault circuit interrupter is installed within 6 feet of the branch circuit overcurrent device as measured along the branch circuit conductors, and
- The circuit conductors between the branch circuit overcurrent device and the arc-fault circuit interrupter are installed in a metal raceway or a cable with metallic sheath.
Dwelling Units. All 120-volt, single phase, 15- and 20-ampere branch circuits supplying outlets installed in dwelling unit in family rooms, dining rooms, living rooms, parlors, libraries, dens, sun rooms, recreation rooms, closets, hallways, or similar rooms or areas shall be protected by a listed arc-fault circuit interrupter, combination-type installed to provide protection of the branch circuit.

Nuisance Tripping
- Check that the load power wire, panel neutral wire and load neutral wire are properly connected.
- Check wiring to ensure that there are no shared neutral connections.
- Check the junction box and fixture connections to ensure that the neutral conductor does not contact a grounded conductor.
Contact Us
Address: 9063 W. 75th Circle, Arvada, Colorado 80005
Phone: (720) 979-2323
Email: Customercare@pikahomeinspections.com
Proudly Serving
The Denver metro and Front Range including but not limited to: Arvada, Westminster, Broomfield, Superior, Boulder, Erie, Firestone Wheat Ridge, Golden, Lakewood, Littleton, Evergreen. Anthem, and Brighton.
Call/Text if you’re outside the area. We will accommodate!
Contact Us
Address: 9063 W. 75th Circle, Arvada, Colorado 80005
Phone: (720) 979-2323
Email: Customercare@pikahomeinspections.com
Proudly Serving
The Denver metro and Front Range including but not limited to: Arvada, Westminster, Broomfield, Superior, Boulder, Erie, Firestone Wheat Ridge, Golden, Lakewood, Littleton, Evergreen. Anthem, and Brighton.
Call/Text if you’re outside the area. We will accommodate!