Smoke alarms connected to a 15A or 20A circuit of a dwelling unit must be AFCI protected if the smoke alarm is located in one of the areas specified in 210.12(B) [see the Figure).

What areas require both GFCI and AFCI protection?

The latest National Electrical Code requires both AFCI and GFCI protection only in kitchens and laundry rooms. And within those rooms, the Dual Function AFCI/GFCI Receptacle provides what is called “feed-through” protection, which means it provides protection for all wiring and extensions attached to the load side.

What is required to be on arc fault breakers?





AFCIs are required on all 120-volt, single-phase circuits with 15 to 20 amps supplying receptacles in all dwelling rooms. If, for example, if you use your basement as a living room, playroom, or recreational room, then you will need to install an AFCI protection. However, basements (garages, attics, etc.)

Where are AFCI not required?

AFCI protection is not required for outlets located outside or in garages or bathroom areas. (B) All 15A or 20A, 120V branch circuits supplying outlets in dormitory unit bedrooms, living rooms, hallways, closets, bathrooms, or similar areas.

What circuits have to be AFCI protected?

AFCI protection is currently required for all 15 and 20 amp branch circuits providing power to outlets* in residential family rooms, dining rooms, living rooms, parlors, libraries, dens, bedrooms, sunrooms, recreation rooms, closets, hallways, and similar rooms or areas.

Where are AFCI breakers required 2020?

AFCI current requirements in the NEC 2020 code:
Common rooms. Hallways and closets. Kitchens. Laundry areas.

Does refrigerator need AFCI?





Refrigerator Circuit
This circuit usually does not require GFCI protection unless the outlet is within 6 feet of a sink or located in a garage or basement, but it generally does require AFCI protection.

Can you put a GFCI outlet on a AFCI breaker?

It’s perfectly fine to connect a circuit that is GFCI on an arc fault breaker, so don’t worry about damaging the breaker if you decide to do this.

Do dryers need to be AFCI protected?

Therefore, clothes dryers are now required to be GFCI protected because they are in the laundry area. The same is true for basements; for the 2020 edition, the code making panel removed the “unfinished” qualifications from basements.

Do washers need AFCI?

Nearly every room/ area in a dwelling unit requires AFCI protection, so no matter where you put a clothes washer, it will be AFCI protected in a newer home.

Where should AFCI be installed?



AFCI outlets are recommended for the following locations in a house: family rooms, dining rooms, dens, bedrooms, closets, hallways, recreation rooms, sunrooms.

Does a dishwasher need to be AFCI protected?

The National Electrical Code (NEC) does require garbage disposals and dishwashers to have arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) protection.

Do I need GFCI outlets if I have a GFCI breaker?

You do not need both a GFCI outlet and a GFCI circuit breaker on the same circuit. GFCI circuit breakers are good installation options for new branch circuits, but they may not work properly on older, multiwire systems.

Should I replace breakers with AFCI?



The 2008 National Electrical Code (NEC) requires AFCI breakers in nearly all new construction. In 2017, the requirement was updated to require AFCI protection in virtually every room in a home.

Can GFCI and AFCI be on the same circuit?

AFCIs and GFCIs Can Be Used Together
You can feed GFCI receptacles from AFCI circuit breakers because the latter can impart protection on any kind of modern wiring system.

Where are arc fault breakers required 2021?

16 states that AFCI protection is required for all 120-Volt, single phase, 15 and 20 amp branch circuits supplying outlets or devices installed in living rooms, parlors, libraries, dens, bedrooms, sunrooms, recreation rooms, closets, hallways, laundry areas, and similar rooms or areas.

Do kitchen circuits need to be arc fault?

The National Electrical Code (NEC) requires arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCI) and ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) for certain electrical circuits in your home, including the kitchen.

Does a dishwasher need to be AFCI protected?



The National Electrical Code (NEC) does require garbage disposals and dishwashers to have arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) protection.

Is AFCI required for lights?

The NEC requires that virtually all branch circuits for lighting and receptacles in a home must have arc-fault circuit-interrupter (AFCI) protection. This is a form of protection that guards against sparking (arcing) and thereby reduces the chance of fire.

Does A garbage disposal need to be on A GFCI?

The National Electrical Code (NEC) does not require a garbage disposal to have GFCI protection. GFCI protection for this appliance is optional. The vibration caused by the operation of a garbage disposal can cause electrical connections to separate.

Does outlet under sink need to be GFCI?

210.8(A) requires receptacles serving the kitchen countertop to be GFCI protected. It also requires GFCI protection for receptacles within 6′ of a sink, but only sinks not in a kitchen.

Does a refrigerator need a GFCI?



In a dwelling unit (residential), GFCI protection is only required for kitchen receptacles that serve the countertop surfaces. There’s no requirement to GFCI protect receptacles that serve a refrigerator. Unless the fridge is plugged into a countertop receptacle.

Does a kitchen dishwasher require GFCI protection?

Kitchen dishwashers installed in dwelling units require GFCI protection whether hard wired or cord and plug connected. Code Change Summary: A new subsection was added regarding dwelling unit kitchen dishwashers. Now, outlets that supply dwelling unit kitchen dishwashers must have GFCI protection.