2008 National Electrical Code (NEC) News

I found an interesting article on the Electrical Wholesaling website about new rules in the 2008 NEC promoting the use of arc-fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs). Industry standards bodies have been promoting the use of AFCIs because they reduce the risk of fire caused by electrical sources. NEMA has even launched a whole website devoted to the use of AFCIs www.AFCISafety.org.

There has been some resistance to the use of AFCIs mainly because of the added cost and the potential for nuisance tripping. But NEMA is arguing that the extra cost is minimal especially compared to the potential loss of life and property using a GFCI. I agree with NEMA. With AFCIs only adding $15 to $20 to the cost of a standard circuit breaker, it seems completely worth the extra expense to have a safer home.

As for the problem with nuisance tripping, AFCI technology has vastly improved since they were first introduced in the late 1990s. Potential nuisance tripping isn’t a good enough reason to not use AFCIs anymore. What are your thoughts on AFCIs? Do you feel it is worth the added expense? And have you visited the AFCISafety site yet?