Editing Arc-fault circuit interrupter (section)

==Electrical code requirements==
===US and Canada===
[[File:AFCI.jpg|thumb|upright=1|American-standard AFCI (arc-fault circuit interrupter) unit circa 2018. The white 'pigtail' is a low-power neutral connection, hard-wired into the unit.]]
Starting with the 1999 version of the ''National Electrical Code'' in the United States, and the 2002 version of the ''Canadian Electrical Code'' in Canada, the national codes require AFCIs in all circuits that feed outlets in bedrooms of dwelling units. As of the 2014 NEC, AFCI protection is required on all branch circuits supplying outlets or devices installed in dwelling unit kitchens, along with the 2008 NEC additions of family rooms, dining rooms, living rooms, parlors, libraries, dens, bedrooms, sunrooms, recreation rooms, closets, hallways, laundry areas, and similar rooms and areas. They are also required in dormitory units. This requirement may be accomplished by using a "combination type" breaker—a specific kind of circuit-breaker defined by [[Underwriters Laboratories|UL]] 1699—in the breaker panel that provides combined arc-fault and [[overcurrent]] protection or by using an AFCI receptacle for modifications/extensions, as replacement receptacles or in new construction, at the first outlet on the branch. Not all U.S. jurisdictions have adopted the NEC's AFCI requirements so it is important to check local code requirements.

The AFCI is intended to prevent fire from arcs. AFCI circuit breakers are designed to meet one of two standards as specified by UL 1699: "branch" type or "combination" type (note: the Canadian Electrical Code uses different terminology but similar technical requirements). A branch type AFCI trips on 75 amperes of arcing current from the line wire to either the neutral or ground wire. A combination type adds series arcing detection to branch type performance. Combination type AFCIs trip on 5 amperes of series arcing.
[[File:Leviton Dual Function AFCI GFCI Receptacle.jpg|thumb|upright=1|Dual-function AFCI GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) 110 volt receptacle circa 2016]]
AFCI receptacles are an alternative solution to AFCI breakers. These receptacles are designed to address the dangers associated with both types of potentially hazardous arcing: parallel and series. AFCI receptacles offer the benefit of localized ''test'' and ''reset'' with such buttons located on the face of the device. This can save a journey to the breaker panel but can also encourage simply resetting by a user without investigating the underlying fault, as would presumably happen if someone with access to the electrical panel was notified.

In 2002, the NEC removed the word "receptacle", leaving "outlets", with the effect that lights and other wired-in devices such as ceiling fans within bedrooms were added to the requirement. The 2005 code made it clearer that all outlets must be protected despite discussion in the code-making panel about excluding bedroom smoke detectors from the requirement. "Outlets" as defined in the NEC includes receptacles, light fixtures and smoke alarms, among other things. Basically, any point where AC electricity is used to power something is an outlet.

As of January 2008, only "combination type" AFCIs meet the NEC requirement. The 2008 NEC requires the installation of combination-type AFCIs in all 15 and 20 ampere residential circuits with the exception of laundries, kitchens, bathrooms, garages, and unfinished basements, though many of these require [[GFCI]] protection. The 2014 NEC adds kitchens and laundry rooms to the list of rooms requiring AFCI circuitry, as well as any devices (such as lighting) requiring protection.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://iaeimagazine.org/magazine/2015/05/22/whats-new-about-afcis-in-the-2014-nec/ |title=What's NEW about AFCIs in the 2014 NEC? ‹ IAEI Magazine |website=Iaeimagazine.org |date=22 May 2015 |access-date=2017-03-28}}</ref>

As of January 2023, there are a total of 6 means of protection covered as part of 210.12(A).  These include the following:

1. A listed combination-type AFCI which is the primary method used to meet these requirements.

2. A listed branch/feeder-type AFCI that is installed at the origin of the branch circuit working in combination with the listed outlet branch-circuit-type AFCI (OBC AFCI) installed at the first outlet box which must also be marked that it is the first outlet box of the branch circuit.

3. This option includes a listed "Supplemental Arc Protection Circuit Breaker" which does not exist.  There is no standard for this device and so this is not an option that can be used.

4. This option does have a single manufacturer who has a solution on the market.  This option includes a listed outlet branch-circuit-type AFCI that is installed on the branch circuit at the first outlet in combination with a listed branch-circuit overcurrent protective device when the following four conditions are met:
(a) The "Home Run" circuit must be continuous from the branch circuit overcurrent device to the OBC AFCI.
(b) Maximum length for a 14 AWG conductor is 50 ft and the maximum length for a 12 AWG conductor is 70ft.
(c) The first outlet box has to be marked as such.
(d) The circuit breaker and the OBC AFCI must be listed to meet the requirements of a system combination-type AFCI.

Options 5 and 6 are the same options as we've seen in this section in the past but just included as positive text instead of being an exception.

These options are required for the following areas in dwelling units:

(1) Kitchens

(2) Family rooms

(3) Dining rooms

(4) Living rooms

(5) Parlors

(6) Libraries

(7) Dens

(8) Bedrooms

(9) Sunrooms

(10) Recreation rooms

(11) Closets

(12) Hallways

(13) Laundry areas

(14) Similar areas

===United Kingdom===
In the UK, the [[BS 7671|Wiring Regulations]] 18th edition (BS 7671:2018) is the first edition to make any mention of arc fault devices, and indicate they may be installed if the design has an unusually high risk of fire from arc faults. The annexes relating to testing indicate that when AFDDs are installed, their correct operation must be verified before completion, but the method of testing is not described. This is in contrast to [[Residual-current device|RCDs]] where a number of trip times at different fault current levels must be verified.<ref>{{cite web |title=IET website wiring matters |url=https://electrical.theiet.org/wiring-matters/issues/71/ |website=theiet.org}}</ref>
[[File:Siemens AFDD combination LS or FI.png|thumb|upright=0.8|AFDD combination circuit breaker circa 2012]]

===Germany===
The German Wiring rules VDE 0100, recommend AFDDs for high-risk situations and give as examples rooms with sleeping accommodation, rooms or places with a particular fire risk, rooms or places made of building components with combustible building materials, if these have a lower fire resistance than fire-retardant (< F30), and rooms or places with hazards for irreplaceable goods.<ref>{{cite book |title=DIN VDE 0100-420 VDE 0100-420:2022-06: Low voltage electrical installations. Part 4-42: Protection for safety – Protection against thermal effects (IEC 60364-4-42:2010, modified + A1:2014); German implementation HD 60364-4-42:2011 + A1:2015 + A11:2021 |date=June 2022 |publisher=VDE Verlag |location=Frankfurt am Main, Germany |language=de |chapter=Section 421.7}}</ref>

===Australia and New Zealand ===
The Australian and New Zealand regulations – Wiring Rules (AS NZS 3000:2018) do not require installation of AFDDs in Australia. However, in New Zealand all final sub-circuits with ratings up to 20 A will require protection by an AFDD if they supply locations with significant fire risk, locations containing irreplaceable items, certain historic buildings, and socket-outlets in school sleeping accommodation.<ref name=ASNZS3000 /> Most power circuits in these countries fall under this clause as the common sockets are 10 A and 15 A rating. The Australian standards are used in Argentina, Fiji, Tonga, Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea.