"Robert11" wrote in message
...
Hello:

I guess this post really dates me, and ceretainly does
make me feel old.

Have just heard about the relatively new type of circuit breakers termed
"arc fault circuit breakers".
Have reads up a bit on them, but still have several questions, please:

I live in a 25 year old house in Mass., that has the conventional type of
circuit breakers installed.

a. Should I replace all, or just the ones going to e.g., the bedroom
outlets with this new type ?

Why ?

b. What about the GFCI ground-fault breakers that I have installed for my
few outlets in the garrage, and on the porch ?

What's best for this type of location; the GFCI, or the new arc
fault
type ? Why ?

c. Do they have any available that combine both features ?

If so, approx. cost ?

Is this a good approach?

d. Anyone familiar with the building codes in Mass. and how it relates to
this ?

Not too sure what else to ask, but would like to learn about what types to
use in a residence, where, pros and cons,
etc., if anyone has a few spare minutes would be most appreciative.

Thanks,
Bob

Do you have a grounding conductor? I would be more concerned about a
grounding conductor than the type of breakers installed. Electricity has
worked for a lot of years with out Arc faults and GFCI's. Do you pour hot
coffee in your lap and then sue?

Arc faults are for bedrooms under the new NEC.
GFCI's are for areas with water. Garage, bathrooms, outside, kitchens.
Brought into the code sometime around 1973. Kitchens 1997 or so
I am unaware of any combined protection breakers. Not much reason to combine
this kind of protection in my opinion.