What Is (AFCI) Arc Fault Protection For My Home?

While hanging a picture on a wall you accidentally put a nail through only one of the two electrical circuit wires inside the wall. A normal circuit breaker is not reliable in detecting such an electrical hazard, and will continue to supply electrical power even though a fire hazard has occurred. Because traditional electrical breaker will not always trip: arc-fault circuit interrupters (AFCI) were created to sense the this kind of issue, and trip before the electrical hazard has time to become a serious problem.

Why Are AFCI | Arc-Fault Breakers Important?

• Arc-Fault circuit breakers stop electrical hazards before they start with substantially better accuracy.

• AFCI circuit breakers have the ability to be tested to make sure they are working properly. Normal circuit breakers do not.

When & Where do I Need AFCI | Arc-Fault Breakers In My Home?

New Safety Code requires a Arc-Fault electrical circuit breakers be installed on all new house builds, and whenever you are adding more then 6 feet to an existing circuit that controls any living space in your home (bedrooms, living room, dining room, office, etc).

The following home electrical projects will be required to be upgraded to AFCI protection:

• Whenever adding electrical wiring that is 6 feet or longer to an existing home electrical circuit.  

• Pretty much whenever you install a new electrical circuit to the living spaces of your home.

• During any home electrical renovations, remodels, or new home builds.

• Some cities & towns require you to upgrade to AFCI protection whenever you replace an electrical outlet, light switch, or when you upgrade your electrical panel.

New Standard In All New Home Builds 2023 Or Later

• AFCI breakers give you the ability to test to make sure they are doing their job properly. Try to test annually.
• Arc-Fault Protection Breakers are the new standard in home electrical safety. Regular breakers protect your home from significant electrical hazards, but they lack the precision to monitor and test to verify effectiveness. Arc-Fault breakers have the ability to monitor and test to make sure everything is working as it should.
  
  

How Much To Install AFCI Circuit Breaker in My Home?

Normal circuit breakers are relative inexpensive compared to Home AFCI circuit breakers. AFCI circuit breakers are smarter and better, but they come with a "not so cheap" price tag. An AFCI circuit breaker will cost you between $95 to $195 dollar on average. They can be more depending on what electrical equipment you are trying to protect.

Some electrical panels brands have more expensive circuit breakers compared to others. A circuit breaker type QO or CH will be more expensive than a BR type electrical circuit breaker. 

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