Smoke alarms connected to a 15A or 20A circuit of a dwelling unit must be AFCI protected if the smoke alarm is located in one of the areas specified In 210.12(B).
Yes AFCI protection is required for a smoke alarm that is in an area that requires AFCI protection for all outlets.
All smoke detectors required by this chapter shall be mounted on a ceiling or wall; provided, that if wall-mounted, they shall be within twelve inches but not closer than six inches of the ceiling. Further, they shall be located in any corridor or interior area giving access to rooms used for sleeping purposes.
Absent from the list of spaces that require AFCI protection are: bathrooms, outdoors, unfinished basements, crawl spaces, attics and garage spaces, to name a few. Kitchens and laundry areas of manufactured or mobile homes are no longer exempt.
of the CE Code (2018), Rule 32-110 will permit a smoke alarm(s)—or a smoke alarm that includes a carbon monoxide alarm—to be connected to a GFCI/AFCI-protected circuit provided it has a battery-powered secondary supply.
Although the electrical code doesn't require that hardwired smoke detectors be connected to their own dedicated circuit, it doesn't hurt to install a new circuit to power these detectors. Hardwired detectors are usually installed by splicing into a general lighting circuit or outlet circuit.
GFCI protection is required for 125V through 250V receptacles supplied by single-phase branch circuits 50A (or less) or three-phase branch circuits 100A (or less) installed in the following locations [210.8(B)]: (1) Bathrooms. (2) Kitchens. (3) Food or beverage preparation or cooking areas.
2: AFCI protection shall not be required on branch circuits supplying receptacles located in hallways, kitchens or laundry areas and GFCI protected receptacles installed in dining rooms.
While they may not be legally required, it is highly recommended to have AFCI breakers installed for the safety of your home. As a homeowner, it is your responsibility to ensure that your home is equipped with the necessary safety measures.
NFPA 72 requires that all points on the ceiling have a detector within a distance of 0.7 times the listed spacing of the detector. This ensures that when detection is used, the entire space on the ceiling is covered by detection. This requirement is commonly called the Point 7 (0.7) Rule.
Article 760 (Fire Alarm Systems) of NFPA 70 (National Electrical Code) governs fire alarm system wiring and equipment, including all circuits controlled and powered by the fire alarm.
Checking the Circuit Breaker
Perhaps you have a hardwired smoke alarm that is connected to your electrical breaker. If this is the case, you'll need to make your way to the electrical panel and look for a breaker labeled “Smoke Alarms” or “Central Smoke Alarm.”
GFCI protection is specifically called out for receptacles within a cabinet supporting a sink. GFCI protection was removed for outdoor, non-receptacle outlets. AFCI protection requirements were expanded to include all circuits in dwelling units.
Nuisance tripping is the #1 complaint contractors have when installing AFCIs. After installation, homeowners may experience nuisance tripping when using a new vacuum cleaner or appliance. Then the contractor gets the call. The last thing they want to do is to go back for a warranty service call.
All 15A or 20A, 120V branch circuits in dwelling units supplying outlets in family rooms, dining rooms, living rooms, parlors, libraries, dens, bedrooms, sunrooms, recreation rooms, closets, hallways, or similar rooms or areas must be protected by a listed AFCI device of the combination type [210.12(B)].
If it's not in the kitchen, it has to be AFCI protected. So that means you can't say it's a kitchen just because you have a sink and a bar fridge, you have to have all the circuit requirements for a kitchen. So you have to have your fridge circuit.
AFCI protection is only required for 120 volt outlets. Not 120/240v or 240v outlets.
The remaining areas where AFCI protection is not required and is optional are: Garages ( if laundry area is in garage, AFCI for laundry area only). Attics, crawl space, uninhabited basement areas. Outdoor receptacles and outdoor circuits.
As long as you do not leave it in place beyond your troubleshooting, a standard breaker could be put in the panel in place of the AFCI.
If you're installing a new circuit or replacing an old one, you need arc-fault protection on all 15- and 20-amp circuits that supply power to outlets in: Dwelling unit family rooms.
All 125- through 250-volt rated receptacles supplied by a single-phase branch circuit rated 150 volts or less to ground are required to have GFCI protection. This means that in addition to the washing machine, a clothes dryer in a laundry room would also need to be protected.
AFCI is required for 120V circuits 10-20A supplying outlets and devices in kitchens (that's receptacles, lighting, and hardwired appliances). GFCI is required for kitchen receptacles and specific appliances like dishwashers. Simplest means of compliance is a dual function breaker.
GFCI protection is required for 125-volt to 250-volt receptacles supplied by single-phase branch circuits rated 150 volts or less to the ground. GFCI outlets protect all outlets on the same circuit, as well as connected tools and appliances.