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Neis NECA 169 Installing And Maintaining

Arc-fault circuit interrupters (afcis) and ground-fault circuit interrupters (gfcis)
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NECA 169
Standard for Installing and
Maintaining Arc-Fault Circuit
Interrupters (AFCIs) and
Ground-Fault Circuit
Interrupters (GFCIs)
Industry Review Draft
(Date TBD)
National Electrical Installation Standards, NEIS, and the NEIS logo
are trademarks of the National Electrical Contractors Association

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Summary of Contents for Neis NECA 169

  • Page 1 NECA 169 Standard for Installing and Maintaining Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCIs) and Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) Industry Review Draft (Date TBD) National Electrical Installation Standards, NEIS, and the NEIS logo are trademarks of the National Electrical Contractors Association...

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    Table of Contents Foreword Scope............................Products and Applications Included ..................Products and Applications Excluded ..................Regulatory and Other Requirements ..................Definitions ..........................2008 NEC Requirements for AFCIs and GFCIs ............... AFCI Requirements in the 2008 National Electrical Code ............ GFCI Requirements in the 2008 National Electrical Code ............ Installing AFCIs and GFCIs ....................

  • Page 3: Foreword

    This publication is intended to comply with the National Electrical Code (NEC). Because they are quality standards, NEIS may in some instances go beyond the minimum safety requirements of the NEC. It is the responsibility of users of this publication to comply with state and local electrical codes when installing electrical products and systems.

  • Page 4: Scope

    Scope This standard describes the installation and maintenance procedures for arc-fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) and ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs). Products and Applications Included This standard covers the installation and maintenance of Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupters, AFCIs, and Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupters, GFCIs, permanently installed on building premises wiring systems for residential, commercial, and industrial applications.

  • Page 5: Definitions

    General requirements for installing electrical products and systems are described in NECA 1-2006, Standard Practices for Good workmanship in Electrical Construction (ANSI). Other National Electrical Installation Standards provide additional guidance for installing particular types of electrical products and systems. A complete list of NEIS is provided in Annex A. Definitions Arc.

  • Page 6: Afci Requirements In The 2008 National Electrical Code

    receptacle outlet AFCI may provide feed-through protection of the cord sets and power-supply cords connected to downstream receptacles. Receptacle outlet AFCIs do not protect the entire branch and do not satisfy NEC 210.12 requirements. Receptacle-Type GFCI. A GFCI that is integrated into a receptacle that is designed for installation at a branch-circuit outlet, such as at an outlet box, and is intended to provide ground- fault protection of personnel in cord sets, power-supply cords, and branch circuit wiring connected downstream of the device.
  • Page 7 Parlors Libraries Dens Bedrooms Sunrooms Recreation rooms Closets Hallways Similar rooms or areas To comply with NEC 210.12, outlets for receptacles, lights, fans, window or wall air conditioners, single and multiple station smoke alarms, space heaters, etc, must have AFCI protection. B.

  • Page 8: Gfci Requirements In The 2008 National Electrical Code

    In jurisdictions where older editions of the NEC are being enforced, or where the NEC is not adopted for regulatory use, it is recommended that AFCI protection be installed in all newly-constructed dwelling units, hotels, motels, and dormitories following the 2008 NEC requirements.
  • Page 9 Kitchens Rooftops Outdoors Sinks where receptacles are installed within six feet of the outside edge of the sink. Replacement of Existing Receptacles GFCI protected receptacles are required where replacements are made at receptacle outlets that are required to be GFCI protected [NEC 406.3(D)(2)]. Non-grounding-type receptacles are permitted to be replaced with GFCI protected receptacles.
  • Page 10 Cord-and-plug-connected vending machines manufactured or re-manufactured prior to January 1, 2005, must be connected to a GFCI-protected outlet [NEC 422.51]. Electric drinking fountains must be protected with GFCI protection for personnel [NEC 422.52]. 3.2.2 GFCIs Not Required. Dwelling Units. A receptacle supplying only a permanently installed fire alarm or burglar alarm system in an unfinished basement in a dwelling unit is not required to have GFCI protection [NEC 210.8(A)(5)].

  • Page 11: Installing Afcis And Gfcis

    Required elevator machine room, control room, machinery space or control space lighting must not be connected to the load side of a GFCI [NEC 620.23(A)]. Required elevator hoistway pit lighting must not be connected to the load side of a GFCI [NEC 620.24(A)].

  • Page 12: Electrical Safety

    4.1.1 Multi-Wire Branch Circuits Single-pole AFCIs and GFCIs are not suitable for installation where loads are supplied from multi-wire branch circuits. Multi-wire branch circuits are circuits that share a common neutral conductor between two or more phase conductors that are supplied from different phases of the distribution system.

  • Page 13: Installing Circuit-Breaker-Type Afcis And Gfcis In A De-Energized Panelboard

    Use care in opening and closing doors to energized equipment. Conductors and terminations may be exposed and within reach of openings. Carefully inspect work area and remove any tools and objects left inside equipment before energizing. Install all devices, doors, covers, barriers, etc., before energizing equipment.

  • Page 14: Installing Circuit-Breaker-Type Afcis And Gfcis In An Energized Panelboard

    Test the circuit breaker by pressing the TEST button. For an AFCI circuit breaker, the TEST button generates a signal that simulates an arcing fault to the AFCI sensor. For a GFCI circuit breaker, the TEST button creates a current imbalance between the phase and neutral conductors.
  • Page 15 Turn OFF the overcurrent device, circuit breaker or fuse, protecting the branch circuit where the existing receptacle, if any, is installed. Test the branch circuit using a voltage meter to ensure that the branch circuit is de-energized. Existing Receptacle. With the power off, remove the existing coverplate, and gently remove the receptacle.

  • Page 16: Testing Afcis And Gfcis

    conductors. If the unit is operating properly, power will be interrupted to the receptacle and to any protected downstream devices, and the RESET button will pop out. If the receptacle does not de-energize when the TEST button is pressed, the receptacle is malfunctioning and must be replaced.

  • Page 17: Testing Afci And Gfci Circuit Breakers

    Testing AFCI and GFCI Circuit Breakers Turn off all loads supplied by AFCI and GFCI circuit breakers prior to testing. Ensure that power is turned on to circuit breakers prior to testing. Ensure that circuit breaker handle is fully in the ON position. Test circuit breakers by pressing the TEST button.

  • Page 18: Annex A: Troubleshooting Afcis, Gfcis, Fixed Wiring And Appliances

    (This annex is not part of the standard) Annex A: Troubleshooting AFCIs, GFCIs, Fixed Wiring and Appliances AFCIs trip upon sensing arc-faults, and GFCIs trip upon sensing ground-faults. The circuit breaker version of these devices also trip upon sensing overcurrent and short-circuits. In addition to arc-faults, AFCIs can trip from high-voltage surges caused by lightning or utility switching transients, voltage or frequency fluctuations form a poorly-regulated backup generator, mechanical shocks such as earthquake, inadvertent grounding of the neutral conductor,...
  • Page 19 • Components and devices with conductors damaged during installation. • Loose terminations and connections. Correct deficiencies and test AFCIs in accordance with Section 5. A2.2 Existing Installations For existing AFCIs that trip after devices and components are installed, check for improper wiring and installation in accordance with Section A2.1.
  • Page 20 the affected circuit. Carefully examine cords and plugs, and accessible components of light fixtures, appliances and equipment, such as connections, terminations, wiring, lampholders and ballasts, for evidence of arcing, thermal damage, insulation damage, shorted or pinched wires, etc. Turn off all fixed appliances, such as lights, ceiling fans, switched wall outlets, etc. Test the fixed wiring to ensure that the circuit is de-energized.
  • Page 21 measure the total load connected to the circuit and compare to its ratings. Transfer any load in excess of the device ratings to another circuit. Keep in mind that turning off the circuit and reconnecting appliances, equipment and components may temporarily clear an arc that may not reappear or may appear some time after the circuit and loads are re-energized.

  • Page 22: Annex B: Reference Standards

    (This annex is not part of the standard) Annex B: Reference Standards...

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