DIYbanter - View Single Post - Are Circuit Breakers Over-rated?

Pete C.

wrote:

On Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:46:55 -0500, "Pete C."
wrote:

wrote:

On Mon, 2 Nov 2009 07:12:55 -0800 (PST), Jeffy3
wrote:

Our 55 year-old house still runs on fuses . We have never upgraded to
a circuit breaker . We hardly ever blow fuses (it's been years
actually). We even run our heater and air conditioner off an
individual fuse box installed 25 years ago. We have an electrician
coming out to give us an estimate to upgrade to a circuit breaker, but
since we've made the appointment we've heard from two people who say
fuses are better and why bother spending the money if we don't have
any problems. Thoughts ?

If the fuses are properly sized they are safer than breakers because
they fail "open". A breaker can fail closed and provide no protection
(Google Federal Pacific and read the stories)
If you have the proper sized type S adapters and Type S fuses they
fully comply with the 2008 code. You could install one tomorrow in new
construction ... if someone made the panel.
Unfortunately a home inspector would flag fuses as a defect, but most
HIs are generally clueless when it comes to code and they state that
in their contract disclaimer.

Where do you find the necessary AFCI fuses for the bedroom circuits?

In that mythical "device" type AFCI that 210.12(B) ex1 alludes to.

... and that is virtually all receptacles now.

AFCI, not GFCI.

210.12(b) clearly states an AFCI circuit breaker listed to provide
protection to the *entire branch circuit*. A receptacle could never fill
that requirement.