Home Repair (alt.home.repair) For all homeowners and DIYers with many experienced tradesmen. Solve your toughest home fix-it problems.

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
  #1   Report Post  
Posted to alt.home.repair
CB CB is offline
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 19
Default replacing normal breaker with AFCI breaker

Doing bathroom rewiring and had to get a new breaker for my electrical
panel. Got both the AFCI breaker b/c I figured it's basically good
insurance and looking at the details and it says "you must have a
licensed eletrician do this!". But it appears to me that it's pretty
straightforward. Wanted to make sure.

It looks like the hot line of the circuit goes into the breaker, the
neutral from the circuit goes into the breaker (instead of the bus),
the pigtail curly-q neutral out of the breaker goes into the neutral
bus, and it hooks in just like the normal breaker onto the bus. I'm
assuming the ground from the circuit also goes into the ground bus
(which on my panel is on the same bus as the neutral).

Yes, I know to stay away from the main two incoming lines as they're
still hot, and to turn the main power off, and to be careful.

But am I missing anything else?
  #2   Report Post  
Posted to alt.home.repair
Joe Joe is offline
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 2,837
Default replacing normal breaker with AFCI breaker

On May 31, 7:56*pm, CB wrote:
Doing bathroom rewiring and had to get a new breaker for my electrical
panel. *Got both the AFCI breaker b/c I figured it's basically good
insurance and looking at the details and it says "you must have a
licensed eletrician do this!". *But it appears to me that it's pretty
straightforward. *Wanted to make sure.

It looks like the hot line of the circuit goes into the breaker, the
neutral from the circuit goes into the breaker (instead of the bus),
the pigtail curly-q neutral out of the breaker goes into the neutral
bus, and it hooks in just like the normal breaker onto the bus. *I'm
assuming the ground from the circuit also goes into the ground bus
(which on my panel is on the same bus as the neutral).

Yes, I know to stay away from the main two incoming lines as they're
still hot, and to turn the main power off, and to be careful.

But am I missing anything else?


Seems like you've got it handled OK. FWIW, the fussier journeymen
don't like grounds and neutrals on the same bus. Newer design panels
have larger separate buses for neutral and ground. If you want to make
an electrical inspector happy, show him an older panel with installed
extra buses for the separation. But the best argument for the DIYer
adding them is to simplify circuit changes and upgrades in future
years. HTH

Joe
  #3   Report Post  
Posted to alt.home.repair
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1,563
Default replacing normal breaker with AFCI breaker


"CB" wrote in message
...
Doing bathroom rewiring and had to get a new breaker for my electrical
panel. Got both the AFCI breaker b/c I figured it's basically good
insurance and looking at the details and it says "you must have a
licensed eletrician do this!". But it appears to me that it's pretty
straightforward. Wanted to make sure.

It looks like the hot line of the circuit goes into the breaker, the
neutral from the circuit goes into the breaker (instead of the bus),
the pigtail curly-q neutral out of the breaker goes into the neutral
bus, and it hooks in just like the normal breaker onto the bus. I'm
assuming the ground from the circuit also goes into the ground bus
(which on my panel is on the same bus as the neutral).

Yes, I know to stay away from the main two incoming lines as they're
still hot, and to turn the main power off, and to be careful.

But am I missing anything else?


AFCI protection is for bedrooms, until the 2008 code kicks in, GFCI
protection is for bathrooms.


  #4   Report Post  
Posted to alt.home.repair
CB CB is offline
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 19
Default replacing normal breaker with AFCI breaker

On May 31, 10:38*pm, "RBM" wrote:
"CB" wrote in message

...





Doing bathroom rewiring and had to get a new breaker for my electrical
panel. *Got both the AFCI breaker b/c I figured it's basically good
insurance and looking at the details and it says "you must have a
licensed eletrician do this!". *But it appears to me that it's pretty
straightforward. *Wanted to make sure.


It looks like the hot line of the circuit goes into the breaker, the
neutral from the circuit goes into the breaker (instead of the bus),
the pigtail curly-q neutral out of the breaker goes into the neutral
bus, and it hooks in just like the normal breaker onto the bus. *I'm
assuming the ground from the circuit also goes into the ground bus
(which on my panel is on the same bus as the neutral).


Yes, I know to stay away from the main two incoming lines as they're
still hot, and to turn the main power off, and to be careful.


But am I missing anything else?


AFCI protection is for bedrooms, until the 2008 code kicks in, GFCI
protection is for bathrooms.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -


But it won't hurt anything to be above code right? The two provide
different types of protection. I've got the gfci covered
  #5   Report Post  
Posted to alt.home.repair
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1,563
Default replacing normal breaker with AFCI breaker


"CB" wrote in message
...
On May 31, 10:38 pm, "RBM" wrote:
"CB" wrote in message

...





Doing bathroom rewiring and had to get a new breaker for my electrical
panel. Got both the AFCI breaker b/c I figured it's basically good
insurance and looking at the details and it says "you must have a
licensed eletrician do this!". But it appears to me that it's pretty
straightforward. Wanted to make sure.


It looks like the hot line of the circuit goes into the breaker, the
neutral from the circuit goes into the breaker (instead of the bus),
the pigtail curly-q neutral out of the breaker goes into the neutral
bus, and it hooks in just like the normal breaker onto the bus. I'm
assuming the ground from the circuit also goes into the ground bus
(which on my panel is on the same bus as the neutral).


Yes, I know to stay away from the main two incoming lines as they're
still hot, and to turn the main power off, and to be careful.


But am I missing anything else?


AFCI protection is for bedrooms, until the 2008 code kicks in, GFCI
protection is for bathrooms.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -


But it won't hurt anything to be above code right? The two provide
different types of protection. I've got the gfci covered

I don't know. You could be creating a situation that may cause nuisance
tripping




  #6   Report Post  
Posted to alt.home.repair
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 2,679
Default replacing normal breaker with AFCI breaker

CB wrote:
On May 31, 10:38 pm, "RBM" wrote:

"CB" wrote in message

...






Doing bathroom rewiring and had to get a new breaker for my electrical
panel. Got both the AFCI breaker b/c I figured it's basically good
insurance and looking at the details and it says "you must have a
licensed eletrician do this!". But it appears to me that it's pretty
straightforward. Wanted to make sure.


It looks like the hot line of the circuit goes into the breaker, the
neutral from the circuit goes into the breaker (instead of the bus),
the pigtail curly-q neutral out of the breaker goes into the neutral
bus, and it hooks in just like the normal breaker onto the bus. I'm
assuming the ground from the circuit also goes into the ground bus
(which on my panel is on the same bus as the neutral).


Yes, I know to stay away from the main two incoming lines as they're
still hot, and to turn the main power off, and to be careful.


But am I missing anything else?


AFCI protection is for bedrooms, until the 2008 code kicks in, GFCI
protection is for bathrooms.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -



But it won't hurt anything to be above code right? The two provide
different types of protection. I've got the gfci covered


I'm not sure. Some AFCIs incorporate a GFI (but not at
personnel-protection levels, at equipment-protection levels.) therefore
you might end up with multiple trips if you ever have a ground fault.
You'll find out when you test it for the first time

nate

--
replace "roosters" with "cox" to reply.
http://members.cox.net/njnagel
  #7   Report Post  
Posted to alt.home.repair
CB CB is offline
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 19
Default replacing normal breaker with AFCI breaker

On Jun 1, 8:10*am, Nate Nagel wrote:
CB wrote:
On May 31, 10:38 pm, "RBM" wrote:


"CB" wrote in message


...


Doing bathroom rewiring and had to get a new breaker for my electrical
panel. *Got both the AFCI breaker b/c I figured it's basically good
insurance and looking at the details and it says "you must have a
licensed eletrician do this!". *But it appears to me that it's pretty
straightforward. *Wanted to make sure.


It looks like the hot line of the circuit goes into the breaker, the
neutral from the circuit goes into the breaker (instead of the bus),
the pigtail curly-q neutral out of the breaker goes into the neutral
bus, and it hooks in just like the normal breaker onto the bus. *I'm
assuming the ground from the circuit also goes into the ground bus
(which on my panel is on the same bus as the neutral).


Yes, I know to stay away from the main two incoming lines as they're
still hot, and to turn the main power off, and to be careful.


But am I missing anything else?


AFCI protection is for bedrooms, until the 2008 code kicks in, GFCI
protection is for bathrooms.- Hide quoted text -


- Show quoted text -


But it won't hurt anything to be above code right? *The two provide
different types of protection. *I've got the gfci covered


I'm not sure. *Some AFCIs incorporate a GFI (but not at
personnel-protection levels, at equipment-protection levels.) therefore
you might end up with multiple trips if you ever have a ground fault.
You'll find out when you test it for the first time

nate

--
replace "roosters" with "cox" to reply.http://members.cox.net/njnagel- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -


I'm confused.

From mikeholt.com
( http://www.mikeholt.com/mojonewsarch...e~20021209.htm
)
Is it okay to replace a regular circuit breaker with an AFCI circuit
breaker if there are GFCI receptacles on the circuit in question?
Yes. The GFCI receptacle should not interfere with the AFCI protection
circuitry.

  #8   Report Post  
Posted to alt.home.repair
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1,563
Default replacing normal breaker with AFCI breaker


"CB" wrote in message
...
On Jun 1, 8:10 am, Nate Nagel wrote:
CB wrote:
On May 31, 10:38 pm, "RBM" wrote:


"CB" wrote in message


...


Doing bathroom rewiring and had to get a new breaker for my electrical
panel. Got both the AFCI breaker b/c I figured it's basically good
insurance and looking at the details and it says "you must have a
licensed eletrician do this!". But it appears to me that it's pretty
straightforward. Wanted to make sure.


It looks like the hot line of the circuit goes into the breaker, the
neutral from the circuit goes into the breaker (instead of the bus),
the pigtail curly-q neutral out of the breaker goes into the neutral
bus, and it hooks in just like the normal breaker onto the bus. I'm
assuming the ground from the circuit also goes into the ground bus
(which on my panel is on the same bus as the neutral).


Yes, I know to stay away from the main two incoming lines as they're
still hot, and to turn the main power off, and to be careful.


But am I missing anything else?


AFCI protection is for bedrooms, until the 2008 code kicks in, GFCI
protection is for bathrooms.- Hide quoted text -


- Show quoted text -


But it won't hurt anything to be above code right? The two provide
different types of protection. I've got the gfci covered


I'm not sure. Some AFCIs incorporate a GFI (but not at
personnel-protection levels, at equipment-protection levels.) therefore
you might end up with multiple trips if you ever have a ground fault.
You'll find out when you test it for the first time

nate

--
replace "roosters" with "cox" to reply.http://members.cox.net/njnagel-
Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -


I'm confused.

From mikeholt.com
(
http://www.mikeholt.com/mojonewsarch...e~20021209.htm
)
Is it okay to replace a regular circuit breaker with an AFCI circuit
breaker if there are GFCI receptacles on the circuit in question?
Yes. The GFCI receptacle should not interfere with the AFCI protection
circuitry.

So what are you confused about? You asked a knowledgeable source a question
and got a definitive answer. Stop procrastinating and get some work done


  #9   Report Post  
Posted to alt.home.repair
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1,417
Default replacing normal breaker with AFCI breaker

On Jun 1, 8:10*am, Nate Nagel wrote:
CB wrote:
On May 31, 10:38 pm, "RBM" wrote:


"CB" wrote in message


...


Doing bathroom rewiring and had to get a new breaker for my electrical
panel. *Got both the AFCI breaker b/c I figured it's basically good
insurance and looking at the details and it says "you must have a
licensed eletrician do this!". *But it appears to me that it's pretty
straightforward. *Wanted to make sure.


It looks like the hot line of the circuit goes into the breaker, the
neutral from the circuit goes into the breaker (instead of the bus),
the pigtail curly-q neutral out of the breaker goes into the neutral
bus, and it hooks in just like the normal breaker onto the bus. *I'm
assuming the ground from the circuit also goes into the ground bus
(which on my panel is on the same bus as the neutral).


Yes, I know to stay away from the main two incoming lines as they're
still hot, and to turn the main power off, and to be careful.


But am I missing anything else?


AFCI protection is for bedrooms, until the 2008 code kicks in, GFCI
protection is for bathrooms.- Hide quoted text -


- Show quoted text -


But it won't hurt anything to be above code right? *The two provide
different types of protection. *I've got the gfci covered


I'm not sure. *Some AFCIs incorporate a GFI (but not at
personnel-protection levels, at equipment-protection levels.) therefore
you might end up with multiple trips if you ever have a ground fault.
You'll find out when you test it for the first time

nate

--
replace "roosters" with "cox" to reply.http://members.cox.net/njnagel- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -


You cant use a GFCI outlet with a GFCI breaker. I suspect it probably
is the same using an AFCI breaker with a GFCI outlet.

Jimmie
  #10   Report Post  
Posted to alt.home.repair
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1,981
Default replacing normal breaker with AFCI breaker

JIMMIE wrote:
On Jun 1, 8:10 am, Nate Nagel wrote:
CB wrote:
On May 31, 10:38 pm, "RBM" wrote:
"CB" wrote in message
...
Doing bathroom rewiring and had to get a new breaker for my electrical
panel. Got both the AFCI breaker b/c I figured it's basically good
insurance and looking at the details and it says "you must have a
licensed eletrician do this!". But it appears to me that it's pretty
straightforward. Wanted to make sure.
It looks like the hot line of the circuit goes into the breaker, the
neutral from the circuit goes into the breaker (instead of the bus),
the pigtail curly-q neutral out of the breaker goes into the neutral
bus, and it hooks in just like the normal breaker onto the bus. I'm
assuming the ground from the circuit also goes into the ground bus
(which on my panel is on the same bus as the neutral).
Yes, I know to stay away from the main two incoming lines as they're
still hot, and to turn the main power off, and to be careful.
But am I missing anything else?


AFCI protection is for bedrooms, until the 2008 code kicks in, GFCI
protection is for bathrooms.- Hide quoted text -

But it won't hurt anything to be above code right? The two provide
different types of protection. I've got the gfci covered


I'm not sure. Some AFCIs incorporate a GFI (but not at
personnel-protection levels, at equipment-protection levels.) therefore
you might end up with multiple trips if you ever have a ground fault.
You'll find out when you test it for the first time


All AFCIs are required (UL) to have ground fault protection at a 50mA
level (commonly provided at 30mA). (GFCIs are 5mA.)


You cant use a GFCI outlet with a GFCI breaker. I suspect it probably
is the same using an AFCI breaker with a GFCI outlet.


As Mike Holt (link) and RBM said, you can put a GFCI outlet downstream
from an AFCI breaker.

You can also put a GFCI outlet downstream from a GFCI breaker or another
GFCI outlet.

With a GFCI outlet downstream from an AFCI (or GFCI), a ground fault
could trip both. The GFCI test button should not trip the AFCI (or
upstream GFCI).


Note that the Mike Holt link dates from 2002. AFCIs have been required,
since 1-1-08, to detect series arcs (loose connections).

In the 2008 NEC, AFCIs are more or less required on circuits where GFCIs
are not required (residential 15/20A 120V). AFCIs are not required (but
can be installed) for bathroom receptacle circuits.

--
bud--


  #11   Report Post  
Posted to alt.home.repair
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 455
Default replacing normal breaker with AFCI breaker

In article , RBM wrote:

"CB" wrote in message
...

....

AFCI protection is for bedrooms, until the 2008 code kicks in, GFCI
protection is for bathrooms.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -


But it won't hurt anything to be above code right? The two provide
different types of protection. I've got the gfci covered





Please, what *is* an AFCI? (First time I've seen that name.)

And how does it differ from a GFCI?






And, what's the 2008-code that's gonna kick in sometime?






I don't know. You could be creating a situation that may cause nuisance
tripping


How so?


Thanks!

David




  #12   Report Post  
Posted to alt.home.repair
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 109
Default replacing normal breaker with AFCI breaker


| AFCI protection is for bedrooms, until the 2008 code kicks in, GFCI
| protection is for bathrooms.- Hide quoted text -
|
| - Show quoted text -
|
| But it won't hurt anything to be above code right? The two provide
| different types of protection. I've got the gfci covered

| Please, what *is* an AFCI? (First time I've seen that name.)
|
| And how does it differ from a GFCI?

AFCI - Arc fault circuit interruptor. Breaks the circuit if it notices an
arc situation, such as a worn power cord allowing hot to contact live. A
GFCI would not trip under though circumstances. These are mainly to prevent
arcs/sparks that start fires.

GFCI - Ground fault circuit interruptor. Breaks the circuit if it notices a
differencial between hot and live, meaning power is leaking to ground
someplace up the circuit. These are mainly to prevent shocking people.


  #13   Report Post  
Posted to alt.home.repair
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 5,040
Default replacing normal breaker with AFCI breaker

In article 5WX9k.38916$kx.20961@pd7urf3no, "Calab"
wrote:

Breaks the circuit if it notices a
differencial between hot and live


I wouldn't be much good as a GFCI, then.
  #14   Report Post  
Posted to alt.home.repair
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 109
Default replacing normal breaker with AFCI breaker



"Smitty Two" wrote in message
news | In article 5WX9k.38916$kx.20961@pd7urf3no, "Calab"
| wrote:
|
| Breaks the circuit if it notices a
| differencial between hot and live
|
| I wouldn't be much good as a GFCI, then.

Isn't that the point of a GFCI? If the power isn't passing from hot to
neutral it must be grounded someplace, hence the GFCI trips?


  #15   Report Post  
Posted to alt.home.repair
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 5,040
Default replacing normal breaker with AFCI breaker

In article o_Z9k.42869$Jx.10037@pd7urf1no, "Calab"
wrote:

"Smitty Two" wrote in message
news | In article 5WX9k.38916$kx.20961@pd7urf3no, "Calab"
| wrote:
|
| Breaks the circuit if it notices a
| differencial between hot and live
|
| I wouldn't be much good as a GFCI, then.

Isn't that the point of a GFCI? If the power isn't passing from hot to
neutral it must be grounded someplace, hence the GFCI trips?


Here, I'll walk you through the intricacies of my awesome wit: You
mistyped "differential between hot and neutral" as "differencial between
hot and live."

Since I can't tell the difference between "hot" and "live," I wouldn't
be much good as a GFCI. (cue laugh track)

Maybe a cup of coffee would help.
Reply
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules

Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Electric BBQ breaks GFI 20 Amp breaker yet works fine with non-GFI breaker. BoyntonStu Home Repair 10 May 26th 07 06:56 PM
Extending the Neutral Wire for AFCI & GFCI Breakers in a Breaker Panel [email protected] Home Repair 3 April 29th 06 04:45 PM
A/C Unit Keeps Tripping Circuit Breaker - How to test breaker before calling repair man? C5Ya Home Repair 10 August 26th 05 07:34 PM
Zinsco breaker AFCI? haklesup Home Repair 5 May 17th 05 02:19 AM
Circuit breaker tester maps to wrong breaker!! Joe Doe Home Repair 7 November 30th 04 01:47 AM


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 06:46 PM.

Powered by vBulletin® Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2004-2024 DIYbanter.
The comments are property of their posters.
 

About Us

"It's about DIY & home improvement"